Of Love and Lies:

I love you. And not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm sure that's what you'll call it. And it's not because you're unattainable. I love you. Very simple, very truly. You're the epitome of every attribute and quality I've ever looked for in another person. I know you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is the furthest thing from an option you'd ever consider. But I had to say it. I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't look into your eyes without feeling that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. I know this will probably queer our friendship -no pun intended- but I had to say it, because I've never felt this before, and I like who I am because of it. And if bringing it to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But I could'nt allow another day to go by without getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And I'll accept that. But I know some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there is a moment of hesitiation, that means you feel something too. All I ask is that you not dismiss that -at least for ten seconds- and try to dwell in it. Alyssa, there is'nt another soul on this fucking planet who's ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it's there between you and me. you can't deny that. And even if we never speak again after tonight, please know that I'm forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me, which -while I do appreciate it- I'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of.

-- This is Holden's big monologue from the movie Chasing Amy.

Love is not love until love's vunerable.

--Theodore Roethke

". . . . . . . . . . for several virtues

Have I liked several women; never any

With so full soul, but some defect in her

Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,

And put it to the foil: but you, O you,

So perfect and so peerless, are created Of every creature's best!"

-- Ferdinand (Shakespeare)

"To be wise and love Exceeds man's might; that dwells with the gods above."

-- Cressida (Shakespeare)

"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better."

-- Olivia (Shakespeare)

Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?" -- Marlowe Love is merely a madness."

-- Rosalind (Shakespeare)

"My mind's sunk so low, Claudia, because of you,wrecked itself on your account so bad already,that I couldn't like you if you were the best of women,--or stop loving you, no matter what you do."

--Catullus

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.

-- G. K. Chesterton

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

In Memoriam, 1850

True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about, but few have actually seen.

-- anonymous

Without lies humanity would perish of despair and boredom

-- Anatole France

Most lies succeed because no one goes through the work to figure out how to catch them.

-- Paul Ekman

The truth is often a terrible weapon of aggression. It is possible to lie, and even to murder with the truth.

-- Alfred Adler

They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth.

-- Plato

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

-- A. Conan Doyle

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.

-- Otto von Bismarck

Sticks and stones may break your bones when there's anger to inpart.

Spiteful words can hurt your feelings but silence breaks your heart.

-- Unknown