"Tiamak closed his eyes to make a short prayer of thanks, hoping that the gods, like children, could be confirmed in good behavior by praise."

“It was easy to hate if he did not think, Simon discovered.”

“I gave up the love of learning for the love of oblivion—the two cannot live together.”

“If you have not noticed, we are preparing for war. I’m sorry if that inconveniences you.”

““Now, boy, now...” he said bewilderedly, “what is all this talk of glory? Have you caught the sickness, too? Curse me for a blind beggar, I should have seen. This fever has cankered even your simple heart, hasn’t it, Simon? I’m sorry. It takes a strong will or practiced eye to see through the glitter to the rotten core.”

“Ambitious men never believe others aren’t the same.”

“She had been dressed in her sky-blue gown and had been suddenly almost terrible in her completeness—so different from the ragged serving girl who had slept on his shoulder. And yet, the very same girl had been inside that blue dress.”