"Then Faith was ashamed to have wanted so much and so
little all at the same time--to be so easily and
personally satisfied in this terrible place, when
everywhere vast public suffering rose in reeling waves
from the round earth's nation-states.... So for all
these conscientious and technical reasons, Faith was
ashamed. It was clear that happiness could not be
worthwhile, with so much conversation and so little
revolutionary change. Of course, Faith said, I know
all that. I do, but sometimes walking with a friend I
forget the world."

Grace Paley,
from Midrash on Happiness