The most noble title any child can have, Demosthenes wrote, is Third.

The worst thing about the fantasies of the mentally ill is that they're so damned consistent. They never let up. They never give you any rest.

He’d undone all he could. You can be sorry, and you can be forgiven, but you can’t call back the futures that your bad decisions lost

I have to win this now, and for all time, or I’ll fight it every day and it will get worse and worse.

Ender Wiggin must believe that no matter what happens, no adult will ever, ever step in to help him in any way.

If only we were wiser or better people, perhaps the gods would explain to us the mad, unbearable things they do.

From all wise men, O Lord, protect us.