Hold Strong Quotes

“The world will always have its Adolf Hitlers, Benito Mussolinis, and Tojos. There will always be evil, and we must be prepared to prevent that evil from spreading,”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“We are all time travelers. Each day, we recall our memories, experience our present, and anticipate our future.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“We never fully heal from such deep wounds, but the deeper the wound, the further the light can enter our bodies and our souls.” She managed a faint smile, then added, “I have much light inside.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“the first time since the U.S. Civil War that an American general had surrendered. The Japanese seemed unstoppable.”
― Jeff Langholz, Hold Strong: A World War II Novel about Freedom, Forgiveness, and the True Story of the Deadliest Accident in U.S. Military History

“away to have a little privacy, what there was to have. “I’ll come to Mankato first chance I get,” he managed, then felt uncomfortable with Mr. and Mrs. Haber still standing so close by. “I mean, we can both come back to Eagle Grove.” They both knew the Northern Pacific had no direct trains from Brainerd to Mankato, because Sam had looked it up, and the cost would have been prohibitive even if it did, with Sam helping out his parents and trying to save for his and Sarah’s future. And while Sarah was on scholarship, that only covered her tuition and room and board. Her family, better off than most in Eagle Grove, still couldn’t afford the expense of train fare for her to return before Christmas.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Kiyoshi Yamaji.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Star light, star bright,” Sarah whispered. Sam held her close. He did not need to see the star to make his wish. His Sarah stood right beside him again. “I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight,” they said together.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“The Battling Bastards of Bataan,” FDR said. “I know how hard you fought.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“its far corner, Sam spotted the legendary statuettes of a Republican elephant and Democratic donkey chained together as if forced to cooperate.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“My brother,” she said. “You mean ‘son,’” Sam said. “The correct English word is ‘son.’” Qiu Jin fell silent. She took a deep breath. Then she said, “My brother and my son.” The air thickened into a profound silence. Again, Sam couldn’t find the words to speak. What could he possibly say after such a horrific story? “Chen does not know,” Qiu Jin said. “Only Father and I know what we were forced to do. And now you.” “That’s why you’re here, helping me, because of what happened in Nanjing. All you’ve been through. All your family has been through.” “That is why,” Qiu Jin said. “We never fully heal from such deep wounds, but the deeper the wound, the further the light can enter our bodies and our souls.” She managed a faint smile, then added, “I have much light inside.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“My father says teaching is a great act of hope,” Qiu Jin said. “An old Chinese proverb says, ‘If you plan for one year, sow rice. If you plan for a decade, plant trees. But if you plan for a lifetime, educate people.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“The fisherman spoke in Cantonese and again Qiu Jin translated. “He says war makes good men do bad things. So, we must do good when we can.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Father Tom rotated the crucifix in the light. The restless POWs grew quiet and still. Some crossed themselves. “Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us,” he said. A sea of POWs bowed their heads in unison, though they were a mix of Catholics, Jews, Protestants, agnostics, and even a few atheists. When they had finished the Lord’s Prayer, Father Tom said, “O Lord, we are eighteen hundred Jonahs in the dank black belly of this whale. We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, to cast us out of this whale and to deliver us safely to our families. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all evil as we await in joyful hope the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” “Amen,” the great bulk of the soldiers called out. “The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,” the chaplain said. “And also with you,” the POWs said. “Let us offer each other the kiss of peace.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“When they had finished the Lord’s Prayer, Father Tom said, “O Lord, we are eighteen hundred Jonahs in the dank black belly of this whale. We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, to cast us out of this whale and to deliver us safely to our families. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all evil as we await in joyful hope the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Between Scylla and Charybdis,”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Women must understand their proper role in society. After all, women have never produced anything of value to the world.” Sarah, of all people, had stood, and although usually quiet and respectful, she’d said, “And your existence certainly proves that proposition.”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight,” Sam whispered. He longed to feel Sarah’s presence, and for her optimism, but it would not come, not this night. “I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” Sam closed”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“Shark”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“sit”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“nature”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong

“spitting”
― Robert Dugoni, Hold Strong