Sarah Zettel

"He found me fascinating, in a wounded-bird kind of way. I found him wonderful, in a lifeline kind of way. It was mutual need that passed for love, and got married."

"Here’s the thing about constant surveillance—the question you must ask yourself is not “Am I being overheard?” but “Is anybody paying attention to me?”"

"Somehow, you expect places you’ve left to freeze, like your memories of them have. It’s egotistical, but no one really wants to believe the world goes on without them."

"She projected an air of righteousness that can only come from someone who hasn’t even finished her third decade."

"For a moment hope, bright and cruel as a knife, presented itself to me. It took every ounce of strength I had to turn away."

"When all else fails, be willing to look like a fool. Maybe they will underestimate you later about something really important."

"Power looks startlingly similar wherever you go. Power does not want you to forget that you are small and alone."

"He did not like Ambassador Bern’s diplomatic response. Probably he was the sort that preferred to be the only liar in the room."

"“I’m starting to get the picture.” “If you can say it so calmly, then you haven’t.”"

"There are some things that do not change. Where there are valuable goods, there will be thieves. Where there are thieves, there will be people who organize them—and take most of the profits."

"As threats went, it was not subtle, nor was it original. But it was one of those things that had stayed around because it tended to work."

"This is what hope does to you when you’re not used to it. It is very like being drunk. You don’t realize how badly you’re impaired until you see the results of your spree."

"“You’re supposed to be here making things better.” He grimaced. “I’ve come to the conclusion that that’s the first mistake. This place is rotten to the core. Trying to make it better just gets the rotten on you.”"

"Paranoia is infectious. It’s also an incredibly useful tool. If you can make people afraid enough, uncertain enough, they will simply stop moving."