Home > Work > The Woman Who Borrowed Memories: Selected Stories
1 " Passion. As you can see, I've lived quite a long time, which is to say I've been working for quite a long time, which is the same thing. And you know what? In the whole silly business, the only thing that really matters is passion. It comes and it goes. At first it just comes to you free of charge, and you don't understand, and you waste it. And then it becomes a thing to nurture. "
― Tove Jansson , The Woman Who Borrowed Memories: Selected Stories
2 " Alexander was in the grip of a passion for perfection. He was not aware of how closely, how perilously, perfectionism and fanaticism are related. "
3 " People carry their loved ones with them. They are forever present, and life is full of easily grasped opportunities to show them one’s affection. It costs so little and achieves so much. "
4 " But I was held down to earth by being constantly reminded that the world expects much of the gifted and that having talent is never an excuse for not using it. "
5 " He said, "It was burning a hole in my pocket. I had to get rid of it, as quickly as possible. I had to buy the most important think I could think of."And he went out and bought a dreadfully tiny bottle of attar of roses.I think he did exactly the right thing.Some people say Uncle Einar is a snob, and I sincerely hope I can develop along the same lines. "
6 " It's the unexpressed that interests me, he thought. I've been drawing too explicitly; it's a mistake to clarify everything. "