Women," Mat declared as he rode Pips down the dusty, little-used road, "are like mules." He frowned. "Wait. No. Goats. Women are like goats. Except every flaming one thinks she's a horse instead, and a prize racing mare to boot. Do you understand me, Talmanes?" "Pure poetry, Mat," Talmanes said, tamping the tabac down into his pipe.

Let most men have a finger and they will have the whole hand before you know. Let a clan cheif have a finger and he will have the entire arm.

Still waters run deep. All things change until we wake. Dreams drift in the wind.

Keep your mind out of the pigsty, man!

I grew up around strong women; weak men were pickled and salted. The women wouldn't waste time raising a weak boy.

Well, I can admire stubbornness in a man. There is little to a man who's too easily biddable.

I surrender to it, and by surrendering, I control it.