The great forces of history were real, after a fashion. But when you examined them closely, those great forces always came down to the dreams and hungers and judgments of individuals.

I'm not a liar, sir,' she said. "'No, I'm sure you sincerely become whatever it is you're pretending to be.

You're a monster. Thanks. Does this mean I get a raise? No, just a medal. The budget isn't inexhaustable.

From now on the enemy is more clever than you. From now on the enemy is stronger than you. From now on you are always about to lose.

So let me tell you what I think about gods. I think a real god is not going to be so scared or angry that he tries to keep other people down…A real god doesn’t care about control. A real god already has control of everything that needs controlling. Real gods would want to teach you how to be just like them.

When you really know somebody you can’t hate them. Or maybe it’s just that you can’t really know them until you stop hating them.

Grief,she reminded herself, is almost always for the mourner's loss.