The Elements Quotes

“The elements—water, earth, fire, air—are our greatest friends, our animators. They feed us, warm us, give us life, and yet conspire to kill us at every juncture.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“It's not fair, is it? Life. You'd wonder whether it was all worth the bother.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“Rozelli Programme.” I sit back”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“It’s those fucking men. They still run everything and look out for each other, no matter what. I hate them.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“All these men, all these fucking men. Sacred and hallowed and venerated for two thousand years. And yet it was the women, and only the women, who were there for Him at the end when the men betrayed Him, denied Him, ran from Him, pocketed their thirty pieces of silver for traducing Him. Here is Veronica wiping His face. Here are the women of Jerusalem greeting Him as He carries His burden. Here is Mary, weeping at the base of the cross. Loyal women; unfaithful and treacherous men.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“If the worst happened, then let Maggie Keogh enjoy what time is left to her before she is forced to become - a what? There are widows. And widowers. And orphans. But there is no word to define a parent who loses a child.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“She looks away now, her expression one of terrible sadness, and places her hands together, as if in prayer. “Oh, my son,” she says. “I love you, but—” “But what?” “I am so ashamed of you.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“I think, sometimes, there are people who are destined never to have anyone fall in love with them. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they behave, how much money they have, how much kindness exists in their heart. The love of another person is simply never going to be theirs.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“hope that he will not know pain or betrayal or disappointment, but of course he will, because he’s alive and that’s the price we pay.”
― John Boyne, The Elements

“It’s women like us who allow it to happen. That’s what Peggy Hartman had said. Because staying quiet is easier than causing a fuss, isn’t it?”
― John Boyne, The Elements