And among academicians, and among spirits. I found folly everywhere, but there were grains of wisdom in every stream of it. No doubt there was much more wisdom that I failed to recognize. Life is hard, Mr. Scoresby, but we cling to it all the same.

You'll drift apart, it's true, but you'll be out in the open, part of everything alive again.

He's [Jesus] the most fascinating character in history, really - the character who's made more difference to the world than anyone since him. I daresay that Muslims would say Muhammad was that character, but I think Jesus had a sort of 600-year start on him.

The great thing about fairy tales and folk tales is that there is no authentic text.

And then what?" said her daemon sleepily. "Build what?" "The Republic of Heaven," said Lyra.

What is worth having is worth working for.

The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake.