The number of stressors has multiplied exponentially: traffic, money, success, work/life balance, the economy, the environment, parenting, family conflict, relationships, disease. As the nature of human life has become far more complicated, our ancient stress response hasn't been able to keep up.

Only humans can hurt one another, Ada thought; only humans falter and betray one another with a stunning, fearsome frequency. As David's family had done to him; as David had done to her. And Ada would do it too. She would fail other people throughout her life, inevitably, even those she loved best.

Stress is not the spice of life any more than arsenic is. And without it, you won't feel bored.

Remember that stress doesn't come from what's going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what's going on in your life.

You have enemies the moment you have success. Our job is finding a way to do business with them. Everyone wants something.

Look at 'em,' he said. 'Goddam fools.' 'Who?' said Ginnie. 'I don't know. Anybody.