Reading this was like falling in love. It made me want to be a better person.
"As for me, I implore fate to give me the opportunity to see beyond myself and truly meet someone." Renee, page 145
"Never in my life have I felt so at ease. How can I explain? For the first time, I feel utterly trusting, even though I am not alone. Even with Manuela, to whom I would gladly entrust my life, I do not have this feeling of absolute security that comes when one is sure that understanding is mutual. Entrusting one's life is not eh same as opening one's soul, and although I love Manuela like a sister, I cannot share with her the things that constitute the tiny portion of meaning and emotion that my incongruous existence has stolen from the universe." Renne, page 225. I love the sentiment of this whole passage but this, THIS is genius: "the tiny portion of meaning and emotion that my incongruous existence has stolen from the universe." That phrase is the essence of human individualism, aspiration, and meaning.
"What is both confusing and astounding about Kakuro Ozu is that he combines a sort of childish enthusiasm and candor with the attentiveness and kindliness of an old sage. I am not accustomed to such a relationship with the world; it seems to me that he views it with indulgence and curiosity, whereas the other human beings I know display either weariness and kindness (Manuela), ingenuity and kindness (Olympe) or arrogance and cruelty (eveyone else). Such a combination of eagerness, lucidity and magnanimity is delightfully unusual." Renee, page 228
"This pause in time, within tine... When did I first experience the exquisite sense of surrender that is possible only with another person? The peace of mind one experiences on one's own, one's certainty of self in the serenity of solitude, are nothing in comparison to the release and openness and fluency one shares with another, in close companionship... When did I first feel so blissfully relaxed in the presence of a man?" Renee, page 277 (THIS IS LOVE)
