234. The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay

"There had been too much unearned importance alloted to him all his life. The Van Heerden prestige had been a frame of reference he'd always worn as if he rightfully belonged to a higher order. His character had been weakened by priviledge. When a portion of courage and determination was required he'd always gone missing so that now, when he was forced to face the total destruction of everythin he had been brought up to believe in, he was incapable of grasping the prevailing tenor of the times."

" A strong woman may be difficult to endure, but a weak man is beyond tolerating."