The Golden Gate

by Amy Chua

The experts don’t want you to know it, but anyone can become an expert at anything, if you’re willing to educate yourself.

“Always remember this,” I went on. “You’re strong. Stronger than all the others. Because you have endured the most. From the youngest age and at the cruelest hands. You’re like steel, forged in fire. And every additional cruelty you face will only make you stronger.”

Sometimes you have to kill yourself just to keep sane.

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.’