"My alter ego was awake and listening. “Magic,” he said. “To one whose only instrument is a drum, all melodies are much the same,” I answered inwardly."

"I cannot comment on your beliefs. What appears self-evident to one person may seem to another observer to be entirely the product of an idiosyncratic bent."

"“Could Rievor be hiding himself behind some magical cloak?” I asked my other self. “No,” he said. “I believe he is exercising that most potent form of invisibility: the one called, ‘not being present at all.’”"

"A lifelong habit of being right also had the effect of diminishing one’s social appeal, especially among those who prefer to keep the bubble of their various illusions a safe distance from a needle-sharp and probing intelligence."

"Also, there was a remarkable display of objects that primitive humanity had allegedly thrust through various parts of their bodies—some of them extremely sensitive—for decorative effect. I shuddered slightly at the thought: self-mutilation, though everyone’s right, had always taken me aback."

"“I have a reputation for genius,” I said, though I lowered my voice. “It can withstand some eccentricities.”"

"Life is a hopeless rear guard action against an overwhelming foe; still how can we not admire those who battle on regardless?"

"Insanity was not unknown among the wealthy. Indeed, some forms of madness had sometimes been cultivated as fashionable accessories."

"“I have a plan.” “What kind of plan?” “A daring and bold one,” he said. “Is that wise?” “It has to be that kind of plan. It’s that kind of cosmos.”"

"Have you considered the possibility that our standards as to what is important may differ?"

"Talking was only one of the uses to which Chalivire liked to put her large and loose-lipped mouth; another was filling it with the products of The Braid’s renowned kitchens."

"“What is your theory?” my assistant asked, but again I declined to answer. A mistaken theory that never went farther than its originator’s mind does not count as an error."

"She could be—he hoped would be—what he had always lacked: a center to the map of his life, that one, necessary fixed point from which he could navigate out into the world and by which he could always find his way back home again."

"“Then you will have to look at an experienced integrator.” “You mean a used and discarded one.” “We could quibble over narrow distinctions and shades of meaning all day, only to greet the evening with nothing accomplished. Or we could press on and solve your problem.”"

"“I do not wish to experience that again.” “Some people claim that the occasional exposure to fear enhances their enjoyment of more tranquil circumstances.” “Some people ought to be confined for their own good,” my assistant said, “and to prevent them from spreading dangerous inanities.”"

"My intent was to spot not only Massim Shar’s cut-out but the other member of his criminal coterie who would be there to watch our transaction. There might even be a watcher to watch the watcher, trust being a commodity in short supply among the lawless.”"

"“Magic,” said my integrator, “has rules. At the heart of the willful, associative universe, we find a modicum of rationalism, just as we find uncertainty at the core of the rational cosmos.” “Exactly,” I said. “And there seems no other explanation for it than sheer perversity on the part of whatever entity is responsible for the whole untidy business.” I thought about it a moment more then said, “Perversity, or just a very idiosyncratic sense of humor.”"

"When we have done more traveling together, you will come to see that occasionally we must be other than forthright with local authorities. Many of them lack imagination and react poorly to creativity and unexpected innovation."

"Bunker Hill Sansom—though he told everyone to call him Bunky, and God help any who didn’t—had made his billions by finding new ways to do old things. Inarguably, his ways were better ways, provided your definition of “better” was “more fashionable.”"

"Everyone laid a hand on him and closed their eyes. It reminded Roen of one of those healing prayer circles he attended in college church. No one ever got healed, but it was a good way for him to get close to some girls."

"“God, he’s trying to kill me!” Doubtful, he is most likely aiming for a non-vital area. “Every part of me is vital!”"

"You’re not being paid to like your work."

"She is so far out of your league that you are not even playing the same sport."

"“The world spins despite me, not because of me,” he muttered."

"When someone asked Roen what he did, he explained that he typed incoherent commands that performed virtual tasks to create intangible objects. At the end of the day, Roen wasn’t sure what he did or why he did it—just that every two weeks, he received a paycheck for the hours of his life wasted, building these imaginary things on some server located somewhere."

"Conflict does breed innovation, but so does diversity and cultural development. Bringing people together to share ideas is just as powerful a catalyst."

"Enlightenment and peace can never be achieved by force."

"I’m not one to fall for religious psychobabble, but then I’ve always had a problem with a rabbit that lays painted eggs."

"Once you spend three thousand years in the same place, you are pretty much done with it forever."

"I tried to warn you about her. “You’re not helping.” But nope, teenage humans. The worst, most ill-conceived creatures in the universe. “Other than turkeys, right?” Yes, nothing beats those morons."

"He was an awful liar. Tao often lamented how bad he was at it, citing it as an Achilles heel in his future career as a secret agent. It’s true. Lying, charm, and a well-fitting suit are the traits that distinguish James Bond from every other asshole with a gun. “I don’t think I even own a suit.” You do not own the other two either."

"He was also designated the tactical lead during this operation, simply because everyone else had an accent, which would give them away in a heartbeat. Well, everyone except for Chase, who was from Dallas, but that guy couldn’t lead children to an ice cream truck, let alone a last-minute multi-faceted ambush."

"You, somehow, have the greatest potential of all my hosts, and are one of the dumbest, at the same time. “Gee, thanks for the confidence booster.” On the contrary, it is brave stupid people who change the world. The smart ones are usually too smart to even try."

"He ducked when he could, blocked when he had to, and gave up ground faster than the French in World War II."

"Then someone said the magic words. “The Internet is down!”"

"“I don’t know how many ways I can say no before it sinks into his concrete head.” The rich rarely accept “no” as an answer."

"Conquering a kingdom is always the easy part. It is keeping it that is difficult."

"Fate is created, not ordained."

"“Tao, I don’t understand why I need to know this.” Advanced mathematics opens doors to many fields of study. More importantly, it expands the way you think."

"“Well, old boy, the world is in a bit of a jam. Seems aliens as a whole are just a step below taxes on the world popularity scale.” Roen grunted. “At least the Quasing are still above politicians then.” “I would put them about even,” said Marco."

"When there is no one else left to fight, then there will be nothing left but peace."

"She was at the same time extraordinarily sweet and completely vapid. She spent half of her time at school staring at her cell phone and the other half staring at herself."

"“What’s the trick?” It is easy. The trick is I am much smarter than you."

"Do not separate authority from responsibility."

"Jill blanched. Shooting a RPG was not part of her training. It is easy. Point and pull the trigger, like operating a vacuum cleaner. “I don’t know what sorts of house cleaning you’re used to, but the ones I have—”"

"Roen was speechless. “You… were spying on me!” Stephen laughed. “Let’s say we used you as an unpaid intelligence consultant.”"

"“Son, you hungry?” Roen said, coming up behind him. “I found this pizza joint a few blocks away. It’s French pizza—” he made a face “—but French pizza’s better than no pizza. Interested?”"

"Every time I think you guys can’t get any more ridiculous, you prove me wrong."

"The biggest mistake of the twentieth century. Go. “I’m going to have to say that art school rejecting Hitler’s application, leading him toward the career choice of becoming a mass murderer. That or New Coke. You?”"