“Mundanes who involve themselves in things they know nothing about are likely to meet unpleasant endings.”

“One thing you'll learn as you get older, Simon, is that when people tell you something unpleasant about themselves, it's usually true.”

“We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.”

“You know, it's a funny thing about writers. Most people don't stop to think of books being written by people much like themselves. They think that writers are all dead long ago--they don't expect to meet them in the street or out shopping. They know their stories but not their names, and certainly not their faces. And most writers like it that way.”

“People who say that everyone knows politicians lie and deceive and spy and bribe are only giving themselves an excuse for not getting involved in politics.”

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”