“Everything is mended by the soil.”

“Diplomats and politicians, blowing with the wind. No substance, no beliefs, no real friendships.”

“There must be a sense of urgency before anything can ever happen.”

“People floating like pollen in search of more fertile soil.”

“Most people don't lay the foundations correctly because they are too impatient or too greedy or too stupid ...”

“Garden design is all about concealment and surprise.”

“I have this feeling that immigrants unwittingly help to keep peace between nations by being scapegoats for national ills that would otherwise be blamed on neighbours.”

“An hour later, Amina stood at a pay phone in a mall hallway, where poop and perfume and the grease from the food court formed the kind of atmosphere you might find in Jupiter's red spot”

“Stability and security are just illusions. But they are necessary illusions because without them there would be no way of going on.”

“Taking Mum's hand, I whispered "Are we really safe, here?”