Paul Levinson

"Ampharete just smiled. “Might we go someplace else to converse? Much as I love this magnificent library, I do not feel completely at ease here—too many wise people walking about.” “Wisdom makes you uneasy?” Ampharete kept her smile. “When combined with prying eyes, yes.”"

"“Let us speak of Plato, and the picture he paints of people and their inability to rule themselves,” Ampharete began. This drew Heron’s attention from the sea. Mobs often make stupid decisions, on the basis of emotion rather than reason. Do you think Plato is wrong?” “Plato’s view that only the most wise should rule can justify any tyrant or group of tyrant who happen to be in power.”"

"Appleton was getting to the point where he could no longer tell if he was reasoning well or imagining well."

"Sometimes murkiness of motives can be mistaken for intelligence."

"Philosophers have an unfortunate habit of living a long time."

"Socrates grunted. “It seems the future may be more barbaric than the present, at least as far as you are concerned. Maybe those who believe the golden age is behind us are right.”"