Most people are blind to magic. They move thru a blank and empty world. They’re bored with their lives and there’s nothing they can do about it. They’re eaten alive by longing and they’re dead before they die.

The real problem with being around James was that he was always the hero. And what did that make you? Either the sidekick or the villain.

It turns out that there is something that can compete with free: easy.

A big silvery janitor. Penny, this can’t be how the universe works.” “In the Order we call it ‘inverse profundity.’ We’ve observed it in any number of cases. The deeper you go into the cosmic mysteries, the less interesting everything gets.

I read Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which I think will subsequently be recognized as one of the first great novels of the 21st century.

I never thought about doing a sequel when I was actually writing 'The Magicians.' I only ever considered it a standalone.

The process of learning is a nonstop orgy of wonderment.