“Men are born in two categories: the strong and the weak, the saints and the commonplace, the heroes and those who respect them. In the time of persecution the strong are burnt in the flames and drowned in the sea; but the weak, like Kichijiro, lead a vagabond life in the mountains. As for you (I now spoke to myself) which category do you belong to? Were it not for the consciousness of your priesthood and your pride, perhaps you like Kichijiro would trample on the image of Christ.”

“Repeating the prayer again and again he tried wildly to distract his attention; but the prayer would not tranquilize his agonized heart. ‘Lord, why are you silent? Why are you always silent…?'”

– Shusaku Endo, Silence