Tell me about this Wizard Howl of yours." "He's the best wizard in Ingary or anywhere else. If he'd only had time, he would have defeated that djinn. And he's sly and selfish and vain as a peacock and cowardly, and you can't pin him down to anything." "Indeed? Strange that you should speak so proudly such a list of vices, most loving of ladies." "What do you mean, vices? I was just describing Howl. He comes from another world entirely, you know, called Wales, and I refuse to believe he's dead!

Every man in Ingary is scared stiff of her. You ought to know how that feels, Sophie dear.

Interesting things did seem to happen, but always to somebody else.

Happiness isn't a thing. You can't go out and get it like a cup of tea. It's the way you feel about things.

Take it from me, Fate doesn't care most of the time.

I'm going up to my room now, where I may die.

Wizard Howl," said Wizard Suliman. "I must apologize for trying to bite you so often. In the normal way, I wouldn't dream of setting teeth in a fellow countryman.