It hadn’t been the speech of a monk detached from earthly concerns, but that of someone keenly aware of his own interests.

corrugated

tenuously

loess

prevaricated

“I might not know your name,” Ma said, taking Zhu’s hand. “But I know who you are.”

perspicacious

“But you know what’s worse than suffering? Not suffering, because you’re not even alive to feel it.”

The body became used to exercise, particular sounds and sensations, or even physical pain. But it was strange how shame was something you never became inured to: each time hurt just as much as the first.