Quotes About Vulnerability

Paul paused again, and then he opened up. He confirmed that, indeed, the defining characteristic of their family was honesty and vulnerability. "There are no shadows in our family," Paul said. "We don't hide anything. But that's a tough place to get to. It takes work and it's painful.

A tiny leak can sink a ship.

Shhh. Stop trying to carry the whole world on your shoulders. Let someone hold you. Let me.

Sex, no matter how explosive and emotional, was just sex after all, at least until someone said or did something to make it more than that

what in God's name was the thrust of that vast expanse of displaced water doing to those stones and to the centuries-old binding that kept them in place? Suddenly the air was unbreathable as a capricious gust blew the ship's exhaust down on them for a few seconds.

It's awful being a child," she said, simply, "at the mercy of other people.

like a stray dog hungry for affection, I felt some profound shift in allegiance, blood-deep, a sudden, humiliating, eyewatering conviction of this place is good, this person is safe, I can trust him, nobody will hurt me here.

As for Charles – well, basically, he likes girls. If he's drunk, I'll do. But – just when I've managed to harden my heart, he'll turn around and be so sweet. I always fall for it. I don't know why.

And though there was something pathetic about it—taking comfort in her left-behind things like a puppy snuggled in an old coat...

Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could be more terrifying and beautiful, to souls like the Greek or our own, than to lose control completely.

But poor Andy—even before he was skipped ahead a grade—had always been a chronically picked-upon kid: scrawny, twitchy, lactose-intolerant, with skin so pale it was almost transparent, and a penchant for throwing out words like 'noxious' and 'chthonic' in casual conversation.

It seemed the best thing was just to come right out and say it. 'You know,' I said, 'I'm really not attracted to you. I mean, not that -' 'Isn't that interesting,' he said coolly. 'I'm really not attracted to you, either.' 'But -' 'You were there.

But – just when I've managed to harden my heart, he'll turn around and be so sweet. I always fall for it. I don't know why.

I don't want you to help me.' She raised her head and looked at me: her gaze hit me hard and sweet as a shot of morphine.

Stay away from the ones you love too much. Those are the ones who will kill you

Here is my experience. Stay away from the ones you love too much. Those are the ones who will kill you

Tormented by what was happening, yet unable to stop it, I hovered around and watched the apartment vanishing piece by piece, like a bee watching its hive being destroyed.

The writhing loathsomeness of the biological order. Old age, sickness, death. No escape for anyone. Even the beautiful ones were like soft fruit about to spoil.

Some people are naturally brave. Others, like me, learn to fake it. I still had no idea if faked bravery and real bravery were the same thing.

I didn't like doctors. They always wanted to take something from you, like blood or a kidney, or stick something in you, like a probe or a needle. As

If you ever want to get laid again, you'll promise me." Andy felt himself tear up. "Okay.

Fear puts an end to openness of manner; fear leads to concealment; fear sows the seed of much hypocrisy, and leads to many a lie.

The security that we show sometimes, is not so certain of its presence

Vulnerability, not music, is the food of love.