I want to keep on living forever and watching heroes and fools and knights go up and down, into the world and out. I want to keep being myself and mind the work that minds me. Work is not always a hard thing that looms over your years. Sometimes, work is the gift of the world to the wanting.

Men die. It's practically what they're for.

Husbands lie, Masha. I should know; I've eaten my share. That's lesson one. Lesson number two: among the topics about which a husband is most likely to lie are money, drink, black eyes, political affiliation, and women who squatted on his lap before and after your sweet self.

The smell of loving is a difficult one to describe, but if you think of the times when someone has held you close and made you safe, you will remember how it smells just as well as I do.

She felt as she often did in class when she was nearly sure she had the right answer, but could not always make herself raise her hand.

Never put your faith in a Prince. When you require a miracle, trust in a Witch.

I savor bitterness - it is born of experience. It is the privilege of one who has truly lived.