“The council is a place where everyone schemes against everyone else, and people talk incessantly about Power with a capital "Pow".”

“Everyone's life is a mess. Everyone's. We all make mistakes . . . and not just little slip-ups. Major mistakes that hurt us and other people.”

“I do not care about the greatest good for the greatest number . . . Most people are poop-heads I do not care about them at all.”

“Don't be a little paranoid; worry about everything, or let it all go.”

“I like people thinking I'm an asshole. Being an asshole is my life's vocation; I'm a goddamned asshole professional.”

“Fate does not invite ugly boring people to save the world; and if you do try to save the world (without being beautiful, strong, clever, or wise), you will soon die pointlessly and how much adventure is there in that?”

“That's the first rule of command; be consistent! You can be sadistic, you can be lazy, you can be stupid, but if you're consistent the crew will still let you sit in when they play dominoes.”