A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

by Betty Smith

Poor people have a great passion for huge quantities of things.

In the old country, a man can be no more than his father, providing he works hard. If his father was a carpenter, he may be a carpenter. He may not be a teacher or a priest. He may rise—but only to his father’s state. In the old country, a man is given to the past. Here he belongs to the future. In this land, he may be what he will, if he has the good heart and the way of working honestly at the right things.”

There had to be the dark and muddy waters so that the sun could have something to background its flashing glory.

If you have the money you’re allowed to ride in them no matter who you are. In the old countries, certain people aren’t free to ride in them, even if they have the money.”

“To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”