The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

by Carson McCullers

Maybe when people longed for a thing that bad the longing made them trust in anything that might give it to them.

Some kind of music was too private to sing in a house cram full of people.

It was funny, too, how lonesome a person could be in a crowded house.

‘Resentment is the most precious flower of poverty.

Because of the insolence of all the white race he was afraid to lose his dignity in friendliness.

Wonderful music like this was the worst hurt there could be. The whole world was this symphony, and there was not enough of her to listen.

And by habit they shortened their thoughts so that they would not wander out into the darkness beyond tomorrow.

then after a while he knew what each one of them would say before he began, because the meaning was always the same.

The others all have something they hate. And they all have something they love more than eating or sleeping or wine or friendly company. That is why they are always so busy.)

Those words in their heart do not let them rest, so they are always very busy.

And how can the dead be truly dead when they still live in the souls of those who are left behind?