People who claim that they're evil are usually no worse than the rest of us... It's people who claim that they're good, or any way better than the rest of us, that you have to be wary of.

Before catechisms can instill a proper humility, small children know the truth that their own existence has caused the world to bloom into being.

I mean, evil and boredom. Evil and ennui. Evil and the lack of stimulation. Evil and sluggish blood.

We live in our tales of ourselves, she thought, and ignore as best we can the contradictions, and the lapses, and the abrasions of plot against our mortal souls.

I shall pray for your soul,' promised Nessarose. I shall wait for your shoes,' Elphie answered.

No one is exempt from grief.

Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.