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Quote by Rick Bass

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Where the Sea Used to Be

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Author

Rick Bass
Rick Bass

Rick Bass, born on March 7, 1958, is an American writer known for his nature literature and ecological literature. His works often explore the relationship between humans and nature, blending literary and philosophical elements. Bass's writing style is distinctive and has won him a wide audience. more

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“Sometimes they would fly down to the coast, near Mobile, land the plane on a lonely stretch of beach, and get out and walk along the shore, in winter: no one else out. He would lean slightly forward, listening to the slow, steady lapping of waves dying into the shore. He would hold Sara's hand. If she tried to speak while he was listening, imagining, he would raise a finger to his lips. The only reason he could have two passions rather than one was because he had never ruined the first. It hadn't ever been sold, when asked for. She watched him watch the beach, the ocean, and considered his success”

“Fuck Yes or No applies to relationships as well. My wife used to work with a guy who got married because “it seemed like the right thing to do.” You do your taxes because “it seems like the right thing to do.” You wipe your infant’s ass because “it seems like the right thing to do.” You don’t marry someone because “it seems like the right thing to do.” You marry them because you can’t fucking imagine ever not wanting to be with them. Unsurprisingly, four years later, he was cheating on his wife every chance he got. The marriage was not a “Fuck Yes” for him. It should have been a “No” from Day 1.”

“Sometimes, a small, sad part of Rachel wondered of perhaps he was having an affair. Arjun had had an affair, Swati had explained, with someone he had met at his tennis club. Why did people do that? Why did they have to betray each other, to make the problem between two people seem like they were really about someone else entirely? It was the coward's way, she thought, To throw someone else in the middle of your own fire.”