“Because in a small dark room, a broken child lies on a filthy bed and stares up at a high window. He waits for me, too.And I—I who have failed at everything and have failed everyone—I must not, I cannot, I will not fail him.”

“She took a breath, exhaled slowly, and then told him, "If you fail me, I'll kill you. I swear it, Keenan. If you fail me, I'll rip your heart out with my own hands.""If I fail you, I'll cut it out for you." He stared up at her.”

“I did it again. Lying guilty in a hotel room for a woman I will fail for.”

“When I have tried and failed, I shall have failed.”

“Will and Tessa were in the carriage now, and their driver was snapping the reins. 'Do you think there’s a chance for him?''A chance for who?''Will Herondale. To be happy.'Woolsey sighed gustily and put down his glass. 'Is there a chance for you to be happy if he isn’t?'Magnus said nothing.'Are you in love with him?' Woolsey asked—all curiosity, no jealousy. Magnus wondered what it was like to have a heart like that, or rather to have no heart at all.'No,' Magnus said. 'I have wondered that, but no. It is something else. I feel that I owe him. I have heard it said that when you save a life, you are responsible for that life. I feel I am responsible for that boy. If he never finds happiness, I will feel I have failed him. If he cannot have that girl he loves, I will feel I have failed him. If I cannot keep his parabatai by him, I will feel I failed him.”

“Nearly every night before I go to bed I ask myself, "Have I vibrated in tune with the Infinite today, or have I failed?”