Giovanni Boccaccio

You must read, you must persevere, you must sit up nights, you must inquire, and exert the utmost power of your mind. If one way does not lead to the desired meaning, take another; if obstacles arise, then still another; until, if your strength holds out, you will find that clear which at first looked dark.

Do as we say and not as we do.

His hair stood upright like porcupine quills.

In this world, you only get what you grab for.