28 quotes
Decency Required Even Amidst War
Baba
War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Loyalty and Tradition in Family Relationships
Amir
Baba, have you ever thought about getting new servants?
Baba
Why would I ever want to do that?
Amir
I guess you wouldn't. It was just a question.
[already regretting it]
Baba
I grew up with Ali. My father took him in, he loved Ali like his own son. 40 years Ali's been with my family. 40 goddamn years. And you think I'm just going to throw him out? I've never laid a hand on you, Amir, but you ever say that again... You bring me shame. And Hassan... Hassan's not going anywhere. Do you understand? I SAID, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing a Moment Without Pain
Baba
There is no pain today.
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The Perils of Birth and Parenthood
Rahim Khan
It's a dangerous thing, being born. Dangerous for the mother, dangerous for the child. Your father would die for you.
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The Complexity of Parenting and Individuality
Rahim Khan
Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Father's Reflection on Loss and Happiness
Baba
I wish Hassan had been with us today. That would make him happy.
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A Conversation About Charles Bronson's Heritage
Hassan
I like Charles Bronson. Maybe someday we'll go to Iran.
Amir
Why?
Hassan
Maybe we'd see him somewhere. I could get his autograph.
Amir
Charles Bronson's not Iranian.
Hassan
He's not? So why does he speak Farsi with an Iranian accent?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Transformation of Kabul's Citizens
Amir
The citizens of Kabul were skeletons now. Skeletons selling naswar in the night market, skeletons drinking cups of strong tea, skeletons playing cards in the moonlight. They greeted me as I passed, teeth clacking together in their jaws. "Salaam, brother," they said. "Welcome home.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Path to Redemption Awaits
Rahim Khan
There is a way to be good again.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Baba's Defiance Against Hypocrisy
Baba
I piss on the beards of those self-righteous monkeys.
[about the mullahs]
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A Family's Hidden Truth Revealed
Amir
You see, General Sahib, my father slept with his servant's wife, and she bore him a son named Hassan. Hassan is dead now. That boy sleeping in the other room is Hassan's son. He's my nephew. That's what you tell people when they ask. And one more thing, General Sahib: you will never again refer to him as "a Hazara boy" in my presence. He has a name, and it's Sohrab.
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A Father's Pride in His Son's Education
Baba
My son, the college graduate.
Amir
It's just community college.
Baba
It's college. And someday, Dr. Amir!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unconditional Love and Loyalty Expressed
Hassan
For you, a thousand times over.
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The Nature of Sin and Theft
Baba
There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft....When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Sin and Thirst
Baba
All this talk of sinning is making me thirsty.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Call to Return Home
Rahim Khan
You should come home.
Amir
Home? I don't think now's such a good time.
Rahim Khan
It is a very bad time, but you should come. There is a way to be good again, Amir agha.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Nostalgia for the Scent of Kabob
Amir
Do you remember what these streets smelled like in the old days?
Farid
Kabob.
Amir
Lamb kabob.
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A Tense Exchange Over Sohrab's Fate
Assef
You want my advice? Run away. That's what you do best.
Amir
Not without Sohrab.
Assef
You want him? Take him. Of course, I did not say you could have him for free.
[shoves Sohrab at him; hits Amir]
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Dreams of a Better Future
Hassan
I dream that my son will grow up to be a good person, a free person. I dream that someday you will return to revisit the land of our childhood. I dream that flowers will bloom in the streets again and kites will fly in the skies.
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A Conversation About Choices and Consequences
Hassan
Why did he kill his wife?
[Talking about a story Amir wrote]
Amir
Because he would cry and his tears would turn into pearls.
Hassan
But why didn't he smell an onion?
Amir
Would you eat dirt if I asked you to do that?
Hassan
If you would ask it I would.
Hassan
But you would not ask that, would you?
Amir
Of course not.
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The Quiet Process of Forgiveness
Amir
I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Vision of the Future
Soraya
What do you see?
Amir
The rest of my life.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Father's Disappointment in His Son's Choices
Baba
Instead of being a doctor and saving lives, my son wants to make up stories.
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Identity in a Complicated World
Amir
Who are we in this complicated world?
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Defiance Against Foreign Influence
Baba
Fuck the Russia!
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Cultural Background and Personal Identity Discussion
Baba
Where are you from?
Dr. Starobin
I grew up in Michigan. Came out here for medical school. Once you get used to that California sunshine...
Baba
But your family?
Dr. Starobin
My family? We're originally from Russia.
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A Birthday Surprise Between Friends
Baba
Are you ready for your birthday present?
Hassan
Is it a drawing book?
Baba
Better!
Hassan
A toy gun?
Baba
Better!
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God's Will Amidst Optimism
Rahim Khan
I see America has infused you with her optimism. But there is such a thing as God's will.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.