Not everyone is born a witch or a saint. Not everyone is born talented, or crooked, or blessed; some are born definite in no particular at all. We are a fountain of shimmering contradictions, most of us. Beautiful in the concept, if we're lucky, but frequently tedious or regrettable as we flesh ourselves out.

How deeply bound by cords of family anger we all are[...]None of us breaks free.

The more civilized we become, the more horrendous our entertainments.

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

...and he kissed her and kissed her and kissed her, little by little by little.

Have you ever noticed when you look in a mirror, unless youre really depressed or something, the person in the mirror generally looks a little more competent, a little more curious, a little more intelligent than you actually feel yourself to be? They often look more interesting and more soulful.

Just my luck, if I believed in luck. I only believe in the opposite of luck, whatever that is.