The Imperial Service could win a war without coffee, but would prefer not to have to.

Not that I haven't leaped up into the blinding light of competence now and then. It's sustaining the altitude that defeats me.

Most people go through their whole lives without killing anybody. False argument.

I've got forward momentum. There's no virtue in it. It's just a balancing act. I don't dare stop.

I don't want power. I just object to idiots having power over me.

Think of the glory. Think of your reputation. Think how great it'll look on your next resume." On my cenotaph, you mean. Nobody will be able to collect enough of my scattered atoms to bury. You going to cover my funeral expenses, son?" Splendidly. Banners, dancing girls, and enough beer to float your coffin to Valhalla." - Miles coaxing Ky Tung to agree to an almost suicidal mission

Adulthood isn't an award they'll give you for being a good child. You can waste years, trying to get someone to give that respect to you, as though it were a sort of promotion or raise in pay. If only you do enough, if only you are good enough. No. You have to just take it. Give it to yourself, I suppose. Say, I'm sorry you feel like that and walk away. But that's hard