“How inexplicable and enviable, never to want to be anywhere other than where you already are.”

“To be jealous of money is uninspired ... You can only be jealous of someone who has something that you can never have. More style, for example, or wit. Money is easily earned.”

“And what should he have known? Well, who could answer that? Thought he was closer to all the players than anyone, he still couldn't identify who was responsible and who wasn't. Really responsible, not just "look the other way" responsible. They all were, in some larger sense. And yet, while he knew this was a wholly indefensible position, he felt that somehow none of them were, either. Just like the guys at Lehmen, or Bear Stearns, or AIG. Just like the guys at Delphic. It became a game, a contest; the only rules that governed were what made you money and what didn't. All Paul did was hang the hell on and try not to get thrown.”

“Better stand her ground than back down and apologize, she thought. If I apologize, he'll feel justified in being pissed off, and then he'll be even more difficult than usual.”

“Diving in is no fun, but it's a hell of a lot better than drowning.”

“Lack of control, he once told her, was worse than anything in the world.”

“This was an unfortunate misstep, and one that could have been avoided if only she had remembered never to take to heart the words of a drunken man.”