Human life is a continuous thread which each of us spins to his own pattern, rich and complex in meaning. There are no natural knots in it. Yet knots form, nearly always in adolescence.

The atmosphere [in the school lunchroom] is not quite that of a prison, because the students are permitted to talk quietly, under the frowning scrutiny of teachers standing around on duty, during their meal-they are not supposed to talk while standing in line, though this rule is only sporadically enforced.

The teenager seems to have replaced the Communist as the appropriate target for public controversy and foreboding.

What we must decide is how we are valuable rather than how valuable we are.

It takes a kind of shabby arrogance to survive in our time, and a fairly romantic nature to want to.

Not only do most people accept violence if it is perpetuated by legitimate authority, they also regard violence against certain kinds of people as inherently legitimate, no matter who commits it.

Every major industrial society believes that it has a serious youth problem.

All weakness tends to corrupt, and impotence corrupts absolutely.

Those who love the young best stay young longer.

Canadians are more polite when they are being rude than Americans are when they are being friendly.

Romance, like alcohol, should be enjoyed but must not be allowed to become necessary.