I take it as a man's duty to restrain himself.

There is no more hollow feeling than to stand with your honor shattered at your feet while soaring public reputation wraps you in rewards. That's soul-destroying. The other way around is merely very, very irritating.

Never underestimate the human capacity for wishful thinking and willful blindness,' said Miles. Such as a whole society of people who became so wrapped up in avoiding death, they forgot to be alive?

Have you ever heard the phrase, Living well is the best revenge?" "Where I come from, someone's head in a bag is generally considered the best revenge

My dinner party,' Miles grated. 'It's just breaking up.' And sinking. All souls feared lost.

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

You couldn't be that good and not know it, somewhere in your secret heart, however much you'd been abused into affecting public humility.