"Do not consort with useless friends. Be discreet in your conversation. Respect your superiors. Keep things to yourself. Venerate your ancestors and take care that no sacrilege is committed. Arrive at your place of work one hour early." Prologue, p. 3

"Children and grandchildren—heed my advice. As I have said, I am altogether ignorant when it comes to writing difficult characters and have made many errors in setting down this record. Read it, nevertheless, with great thought and care." Prologue, p. 8

"My grandmother by adoption had been known for her mean disposition from the time she was a young girl. It was said that she drove both of my adoptive parents to an early death. She was nasty to me, too, and nagged and scolded day after day." Childhood, p. 14

"A doctor was sent for. After examining me, he said, 'Now, is there something you want to...