“Shedding off one more layer of skin, keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.”

“Life is like an onion; you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.”

Carl Sandburg book Remembrance Rock

“One must look at the next step on the path ahead, rather than the mountain in the distance, or one would never reach one's goal.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Princess

“If you can keep your son off the pipe and your daughter off the pole, you're ahead of the game.”

Chris Rock (1965) American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer, and director

“Redd shed caution like an outgrown skin.”

Frank Beddor book The Looking Glass Wars

“Yesterday is skin on snake, to be shed many times.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

“You can't know what it is like for us now--you will always be one step behind.

Be thankful for that.

You can't know what it was like for us then--you will always be one step ahead.

Be thankful for that, too.”

David Levithan (1972) American author and editor

“The problem is not making up the steps but deciding which ones to keep.”

Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948) Soviet-American dancer, choreographer, and actor born in Letonia, Soviet Union

“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”

Truman Capote (1924–1984) American author

“The Hermit was known to be pretty sniffy about disciples who returned in failure. There was a wall of the institute layered with their skins- an ingenious display that encouraged vigor in his students, as well as nicely keeping out the drafts.”

Jonathan Stroud book Ptolemy's Gate