Needless to say, they refused to submit to the Empire, conducting such a persistent guerrilla war that the Romans gave up hope of conquering Scotland, and the Wee Free Men remained both wee and free.

She was, in fact, quite a pleasant looking girl, even if her bosom had clearly been intended for a girl two feet taller; but she was not Her. The Egregious Professor of Grammar and Usage would have corrected this to "she was not she," which would have caused the Professor of Logic to spit out his drink.

The pen is mightier than the sword ... if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp.

I don't think about the end game. I've got lots to occupy my mind. It's the rage that keeps me going.

All holy piety in public, and all peeled grapes and self-indulgence in private.

What your soldier wants - really, really wants - is no-one shooting back at him.

One day a tortoise will learn how to fly.