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“All humankind is born of the same inner goodness and fundamental ruthlessness as all the other creatures of nature. Man can never totally divorce himself from the beast that comprises part of his essential nature. It is not that our inner natures are entirely self-centered or completely filled with goodness. We can choose to make moral or immoral choices.”
― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls

“I believe evil is a natural force, like a hungry virus, perpetually swirling through the air and seeking places to infiltrate. Most of us bar the door against it. Others welcome it in.”
― Sarah Pekkanen, House of Glass

“Ugh—moral choice: couch or bed, couch or bed? The decision was taken out of my hands as Noah hooked a finger on my back belt loop and tugged me, backward, toward the bed. His arms snaked around my waist and pulled me down alongside him.”
― Katie McGarry, Pushing the Limits

“What if we saw differences in cultures, in moral choices, and in belief as reasons to engage people instead of excuses to disengage and quickly exit?”
― Holly Sprink, Faith Postures: Cultivating Christian Mindfulness

“A person’s moral decision of what is right and wrong is not the sheer application of a mathematical principle. Many variables come into play when examining how to conduct a person’s life. A person experiences reality inside their head and we premise our personal version of reality upon the accumulation of knowledge. Decision-making entails the identification and application of personal knowledge in a just and virtuous manner. The only measure of personal integrity is whether a person derives their own judgment in a rational manner and then determinedly implements the moral judgment regardless of the possibility of encountering the derision and scorn of other people.”
― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls

“Dear Lord," he said, "let me be like Aron. Don’t make me mean. I don’t want to be. If you will let everybody like me, why, I’ll give you anything in the world, and if I haven’t got it, why, I’ll go for to get it. I don’t want to be mean. I don’t want to be lonely. For Jesusâ€� sake, Amen.â€� Slow warm tears were running down his cheeks. His muscles were tight and he fought against making any crying sound or sniffle.

Aron whispered from his pillow in the dark, "You're cold. You've got a chill." He stretched out his hand to Cal's arm and felt the goose bumps there. He asked softly, "Did Uncle Charles have any money?"

"No," said Cal.

"Well, you were out there long enough. What did Father want to talk about?"

Cal lay still, trying to control his breathing.

"Don't you want to tell me?" Aron asked. "I don't care if you don't tell me."

"I'll tell," Cal whispered. He turned on his side so that his back was toward his brother. "Father is going to send a wreath to our mother. A great big goddam wreath of carnations."

Aron half sat up in bed and asked excitedly, "He is? How's he going to get it clear there?"

"On the train. Don't talk so loud."

Aron dropped back to a whisper. "But how's it going to keep fresh?"

"With ice," said Cal. "They're going to pack ice all around it."

Aron asked, "Won't it take a lot of ice?"

"A whole hell of a lot of ice," said Cal. "Go to sleep now."

Aron was silent, and then he said, "I hope it gets there fresh and nice."

"It will," said Cal. And in his mind he cried, "Don't let me be mean.”
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden

“I believe that people who take unscrupulous shortcuts in the pursuit of their ideals end up destroying lives, including their own.”
― Torres and Firsht, Tell Me Your Plans: A gripping novel of love, ambition, and power in a high-stakes world