Crossroads

by Jonathan Franzen

sex without commitment was empty and ruinous. This was the ancient wisdom. As with the parietal rules, he was realizing too late that old people weren’t entirely stupid. Beneath him was a weeping girl to prove it.

“You’re very bright, and I’m sorry if you’re not challenged enough at school. But part of growing up is learning to be disciplined.

that’s what self-discipline is. You may not like it, but you work anyway.

Every man seeking salvation had a signature weakness to remind him of his nullity before the Lord and complicate communion with Him.

It was the asking that mattered, not the answer. She decided that, for the remainder of her life, she would pray every day.