Khaled Hosseini

And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.

Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.

It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...

But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.

Qualities you need to get through medical school and residency: Discipline. Patience. Perseverance. A willingness to forgo sleep. A penchant for sadomasochism. Ability to weather crises of faith and self-confidence. Accept exhaustion as fact of life. Addiction to caffeine a definite plus. Unfailing optimism that the end is in sight.

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change.