“I know you’ll be a good Queen, a strong, noble leader, and that’s more thanthese people deserve,” she said. “But don’t give too much. You need to keep someof yourself for you. And listen to your heart.”

“Listen closely. There’s a remote possibility that you might learn something: First, I don’t give a damn if my work is commercial or not…I’m the writer. If what I write is good, then people will read it. That’s why literature exists. An author puts his heart and guts on the page. For your information, a good novel can change the world. Keep that in mind before you attempt to sit down at a typewriter. Never waste time on something you don’t believe in yourself.”

“A Queen is many things, but alone is never one of them.” Sheheld the brush, poised right above the canvas as if she meant to paint,but she didn’t. “I don’t need love or a man to complete me, andsomeday, you’ll find that’s true for yourself. Suitors will come and go,but you will remain.”

“Never love a wild thing. You can’t give your heart to a wild thing: the more you do, the stronger they get. Until they’re strong enough to run into the woods. Or fly into a tree, then a taller tree. Then the sky. That’s how you’ll end up if you let yourself love a wild thing. You’ll end up looking at the sky.”

“Julian: She's very strong, you know. Much too good for you.Tom: I know. But she's a thousand times too good for you.”

“If you wonder why you choose to worship other gods rather than wholeheartedly devote yourself to the Lord you love, examine the thought and desires that captivate your heart. That’s where you’ll fin the answer to every sin and failure in your life. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you need to develop more willpower. We need to develop godly thoughts and desires.”