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What we have, we all must lose—that applied to everything, even to that which we thought we had the greatest right. We were tenants of this earth—noth...more

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…there is faith and faith. One form of faith is actual practice—the rituals and so on—the other form of faith involves actually believing in it.

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She had always understood that love could have an intense physical effect; could fill a space somewhere in the chest, could turn knees weak, could rai...more

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…the world was a vale of tears—it always had been.

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Can you forgive her? Can you do that?There was no response.Because if you can start to forgive, then it will become easier.And?And then you will be ab...more

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Tolerance was like one of those soothing creams—it drew out inflammation, it did away with the pain.

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People don’t talk about mercy very much these days—it has a rather old-fashioned ring to it. but it exists and its power is quite extraordinary

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…did it make a difference if the remark never got back to the person about whom it was made? She thought not. The harm is done when the words are utte...more

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Human history seems to me to be one long story of people sweeping down—or up, I suppose—replacing other people in the process.

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It shall be an offence for any man, either a husband or other person of the male sex, married or otherwise, being over the age of twelve years, to thr...more

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She was proud of her build, which was in accordance with the old Botswana ideas of beauty, and she would not pander to the modern idea of slenderness....more

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I shall go and sit under a tree…. Which tree, Mma?... Oh, there are many trees in this life, she said. It does not matter which tree you choose, as lo...more

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There is a tidal wave of ignorance, Mma Ramotswe. It is a great tidal wave and it will drown all of us if we are not careful.

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It was a voice that you felt you had to listen to—or you ignored at your peril.

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Men, she thought, were odd about their clothes: they liked to wear the same things until they became defeated and threadbare.