Rohinton Mistry’s ‘A Fine Balance’ had some real gems hidden in his engaging narrative, and I just can’t stop myself from sharing it with all. Have a look:

1. “Flirting with madness was one thing; when madness started flirting back, it was time to call the whole thing off.”

2. “There must be a lot of duplication in our country’ laws”, said Dukhi. “Every time there are elections, they talk of passing the same ones passed twenty years ago. Someone should remind them they need to apply the laws”

3. “For politicians, passing laws is like passing water”, said Narayan. “It all ends down the drain”

4. “A new destination always seems further than it really is”

5. “All things fall and are built again, and those that build them again are gay”

6. “I think that our sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing are all calibrated for the enjoyment of a perfect world. But since the world is imperfect, we must put blinders on the senses”

7. “Noises are like people. once you get to know them, they become friendly”

8. “Memories were permanent. Sorrowful ones remained sad even with passing of time, yet happy ones could never be recreated- not with the same joy”

9. “Stories of suffering are no fun, when we are the main characters”

10 “Maneck studied Beggarmaster’s excessive chatter, his attempt to hide his heartache. Why did humans do that to their feelings? Whether it was anger or love or sadness, they always tried to put something else forward in its place. And then there were those who pretended their emotions were bigger and grander than anyone else’s. A little annoyance they acted out like a gigantic rage; where a smile or chuckle would do, they laughed hysterically. Either way, it was dishonest”

11. “our lives are but a sequence of accidents- a clanking chain of chance event. A string of choices, casual or deliberate, which add up to that one big calamity we call life”

12. “Loss is essential. Loss is part and parcel of that necessary calamity called life”