Children make prayers so thoughtlessly, building them up like sand castles—and they are always surprised when suddenly the castle becomes real, and the iron gate grinds shut.

Never put your faith in a Prince. When you require a miracle, trust in a Witch.

It appeals to the higher nature of the self to put aside food which once lived - I do not consider myself food, why should I ask all other creatures to consider themselves so?

The oligarchs do not care what justice is, only what seems just. They do not care what mercy is, only what appears merciful. Thus justice and mercy will always escape them.

Stories, ' the green-eyed Sigrid said, unperturbed, 'are like prayers. It does not matter when you begin, or when you end, only that you bend a knee and say the words.

Woman! Come out! I have—" She looked down at the bloodless grass, embarrassed. "I have come to rescue you, " she finally said, as if admitting that she were covered in boils.

You'll forgive the flowery talk, won't you? Our family does so love to be told they are beautiful. Vanity is an old and venerable habit.

Failed efforts are there for you to examine and learn from.

Christmas ought to be brought up to date, ” Maria said. “It ought to have gangsters, and aeroplanes and a lot of automatic pistols.

I seek the utmost pleasure and the least pain.

Well, I think it's pretty much established that I just didn't have any interest in coaching in the pros.

A mouse is small and can go unnoticed: but there is no limit to what a brave heart and a fearless spirit can achieve.

The statistics of mines that need clearance are staggering but the truth is it's a challenge that is absolutely doable.

When you choose not to forgive... it is you who are forced every day to look at life through contaminated lenses because you have chosen to keep them.

Economists, like royal children, are not punished for their errors.

As for our gods, we have a few too many to be true.

Words have weight, sound and appearance; it is only by considering these that you can write a sentence that is good to look at and good to listen to.