If reassurances could dull pain, nobody would ever go to the trouble of pressing grapes.

I'm not as reckless as I used to be. You know, when I was little.

Are you smarter than a pig, Locke?” “On occasion,” said Locke. “There are contrary opinions.

When you can't cheat the game, you'd best find a means to cheat the players.

To us — richer and cleverer than everyone else!

Difficult" and "impossible" are cousins often mistaken for one another, with very little in common." (Locke Lamora to Requin)

Mew," the kitten retorted, locking gazes with him. It had the expression common to all kittens, that of a tyrant in the becoming. 'I was comfortable, and you dared to move,' those jade eyes said. 'For that you must die.' When it became apparent to the cat that its two or three pounds of mass were insufficient to break Locke's neck with one mighty snap, it put its paws on his shoulders and began sharing its drool-covered nose with his lips. He recoiled.