Madeleine L'Engle

It is the ability to choose which makes us human.

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability... To be alive is to be vulnerable.

That's the way things come clear. All of a sudden. And then you realize how obvious they've been all along.

Violent ideologies can proliferate and spread; threats are no longer contained by borders and oceans; and adversaries are as likely to be found in cyberspace as on the battlefield.

What is the most innocent place in any country? Is it not the insane asylum? These people drift through life truly innocent, unable to see into themselves at all.

It's a terrifying thing to be perhaps 16 or 17 and feel like you are a failure and a has-been.