"He was not actually drunk, but emotion made him feel as if he were. Sorrow, loss, anger—these were as good as a bottl…"

"The oracle-glass was maddeningly literal, capable of answering only the question one asked, rather than that which on…"

"“They’re just kids,” Will said scornfully. “Do not despise them because they are young. The young make excellent sold…"

"If I have to play your stupid games, at least I don’t have to pretend to enjoy them."

"Sam stood in the center of the church, listening for the presence of God. It was a hot place. The air was blue with f…"

"“What you propose to do today is to bring civilization to a lawless corner of the world. I know that you claim more m…"

"I’m a politician. I agree with the majority of whoever I happen to be with at the moment."

"People will believe in just about any kind of superstitious crap nowadays."

"Your girlfriend is none too tightly wrapped, if you’ll forgive me for saying so. I don’t think she’s actually crazy, …"

"It was classic cult behavior: the charismatic leader whose word was law, the unreasoning obedience, the pervasive fear."