.:earthen vessel:.

"What does one have to do to describe the self well? Gender, age, nationality, race, name, 'title'. Symbols to fulfill these criteria, we have many of them. But these symbols, how much can they tell of the whole? For example, just within me, a lone human being: masculine and feminine, child-like and adult-like, strength and weakness, tenderness and coldness, such directly-opposed elements exist together.... Just as all people do, I carry many contradictions and infinities...."

— Maaya Sakamoto, 2003.12.10, Shounen Alice album concept (translated by Miyuki)

One of my earliest inspirations. I didn't think to look up the quote until now, oddly.

"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."
  _{— Ludwig Wittgenstein}

"To speak truthfully, spirits are no more than ordinary people, only with stouter hearts. There's no such thing as a true 'spirit'. I am just a peacemaking, jesting old man."
  — Tai Yi of the Golden Cave, from NeZha Riots the Seas (1979 Chinese Animation) as subtitled by Laitma

"Gilbert White remarks that 'the language of birds is very ancient, and, like other ancient modes of speech, little is said, but much is intended.'
"It is the liquid notes of a river that we hear in a robin's song."
  _{— Chapter 17 of The Sword in the Stone, Book 1 of The Once & Future King by T. H. White}