In all my study of history, I have never found a time or place I would rather have lived than now.

Once you duct-tape a Ziploc bag to a man's chest, there's no going back.

A character is what he does, yes - but even more, a character is what he means to do.

There's always hope... even when there isn't faith. And sometimes, without hope or faith, there must be charity.

Valentine had long ago observed that in a society that expected chastity and fidelity, like Lusitania, the adolescents who controlled and channeled their youthful passions were the ones who grew up to be both strong and civilized. Adolescents in such a community who were either too weak to control themselves or too contemptuous of society's norms to try usually ended up being either sheep or wolves- either mindless members of the herd or predators who took what they could and gave nothing.

You killed more people than anybody in history." "Be the best at whatever you do, that's what my mother always told me.

Whoop-de-do," said Ram. "What?" "I'm celebrating." "Was that irony or loss of mental function?" asked the expendable. "Was that a rhetorical questions, a bit of humor, or a sign that you are losing confidence in me?" "I have no confidence in you, Ram," said the expendable. "Well, thanks." "You're welcome.