What, after all, was the point of civilisation if not the well-being of citizens?

What, after all, was the point of civilisation if not the well-being of citizens?

When one is the agent of order and civilisation in the universe, one doesn't stoop to negotiate. Especially with nonhumans.

Falling didn't bother me. I could fall forever and not be hurt. It's stopping that's the problem.

It's the people without the money and the power, who desperately want to live, for those people small things aren't small at all.

To be Radchaai is to be civilised.

If you're going to make a desperate, hopeless act of defiance you should make it a good one.