How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I didn't want him to say anything that would hurt that little boy's feelings. But it was very bad, us leaving like that. The momma knew what was going on."
"But we didn't mean it," I answered.
"Jack, sometimes you don't have to mean to hurt someone to hurt someone. You understand?" (4.Carvel.23-25)
Jack often thinks back to his nanny's words when he sees August around the neighborhood. It's an early lesson in empathy and sensitivity that he files away, and later draws on when he is asked to befriend Auggie.
Quote #8
So here's why I changed my mind. It wasn't so I wouldn't have to hear Mom give me a whole lecture. And it wasn't to protect this August kid from Julian, who I knew would be a jerk about the whole thing. It was because when I heard Jamie talking about how he had run away from August going 'Ahhh,' I suddenly felt really bad. The thing is, there are always going to be kids like Julian who are jerks. But if a little kid like Jamie, who's usually a nice enough kid, can be that mean, then a kid like August doesn't stand a chance in middle school. (4.Why I Changed My Mind.38)
It's not that Jack wants to help August really—he simply cannot morally allow himself not to help him. Jack knows what the right thing is, even though he is still learning how to do that right thing when it's hard.
Quote #9
"Mom? Am I always going to have to worry about jerks like that?" I asked. "Like when I grow up, is it always going to be like this?"
[…]
"There are always going to be jerks in the world, Auggie," she said, looking at me. "But I really believe, and Daddy really believes, that there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each other. Just like Jack was there for you. And Amos. And those other kids." (8.Home.43-45)
After Auggie's frightening experience in the woods, it's important that he not let it discourage him from leading a normal life. When his mom shares her belief that others, for the most part, are good, it reassures Auggie that his life won't be filled with traumatic experiences like the one at camp.