Beverly

“Zina - We need novels somehow, don't we? And why? We need literature and poetry the way we need music or the view of the (river) Psyol . . . perhaps I have answered my own question. But why literature, Anton Pavlovich? Why words? You must know?
Anton - Ah, I suppose it's like anything, Zinaida Mikhailovna, like religion or, as you say, music. Is there really an answer? Do we want an answer? For some mysterious reason, a story - and all the more so a poem - finds an echo in one's spirit, first of all. It can entertain, as I said, then it can console, as you said, and obviously it helps us to see and understand the world. And it asks questions, helps us to find answers - and beauty. Not to forget beauty. And like any other form of art, I suppose literature can be uplifting.”
― Alison Anderson

“She (Antonia) smiled back at him. "It's still Christmas," she said very quietly. "We must not forget or ignore that. Without Christmas, there would be no hope. And I need hope: wild unreasonable, against all the logic that man can have, things only God can do.”
― Anne Perry, A Christmas Visitor

“There is a difference between belief and conviction. A belief can become something that you merely hold; a conviction is that which holds you.”
― Ravi Zacharias, Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at History’s Most Influential Figure

“Even the most intelligent people can behave idiotically once in awhile when their passions are in control," Henry said, pursing his lips as memory stabbed him. "We lose peripheral vision and see only what we want. It is sort of mental arrogance. Being intelligent is not always the same as being wise - or honest.”
― Anne Perry