“You may think life is sweet now, but when death is a heartbeat away then life becomes unbearably desirable. And when you survive, everything you do will be enhanced and filled with greater joy: the sunlight, the breeze, a good wine, a woman's lips, a child's laughter.”

“The laughter came
When the tears stopped falling.
Now all I do is just call your name
(When I say lover)
You walked in and my heart discovered
That my life would never be the same.
Oh, you are my destiny.
You are my one and only.
You gave that joy to me
When my whole life was lonely.”

“But I do believe that's when you do your soul-searching. I think when you have these trials that life gives you, it is an opportunity to find out who you are. Not just who you are when everything's great, but who are you when every thing is taken away from you and you have nothing.”

“In real life, love has to be possible. Even if it is not returned right away, love can only survive when the hope exists that you will be able to win over the person you desire.”

“Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us,
And fires us
With courage, love and joy.
Women and wine should life employ.
Is there ought else on earth desirous?”

“That was what happened to laughter when you caged it. It became unbearably sad. It was worse than crying.”

“Ah me, but where are now the songs I sang
When life was sweet because you call’d them sweet?”

“When you have been close to death it makes you think about life.”

“And you know, there's less charm in life when you think about death--but it's more peaceful.”

“When you read to a child, when you put a book in a child's hands, you are bringing that child news of the infinitely varied nature of life. You are an awakener.”