"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted. A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle."

- Morrie Schwartz (Albom 12)

"'...with work like this, we may have to get you back here for grad school.' Yeah, right, I say. I snicker, but the idea is momentarily appealing. Part of me is scared of leaving school. Part of me wants to go desperately. Tension of opposites."

- Mitch (20)

"'The tension of opposites, Mitch. Remember that? Things pulling in different directions?' I remember. 'I mourn my dwindling time, but I cherish the chance it gives me to make things right.'"

- Morrie (48)

Things are rarely black and white; expect both good and bad in all things.

In Chapter 6: The Classroom, Morrie explains to Mitch the phenomenon called "tension of opposites", where actions and feelings tend to have contradicting effects. Decisions and emotions all have downsides and upsides that cause dilemmas. In the above excerpts and throughout many other parts of the story, Mitch and Morrie provide examples of this phenomenon that they encounter in their daily lives. Being aware of the tension of opposites allows for a clear understanding of their situations and ultimately results in wiser courses of action.

'Nightline'

Mitch tells of Morrie's understandings of the tension of opposites, or the upsides and downsides of losing the ability to "wipe his ass."