“It's one thing to be certain, but you can be certain and you can be wrong.”

“How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?”

“I have a theory that kitchens, once they reach a certain level of complexity, attract new gadgets into their orbit, like planets. Only this can account for the fact that I own two melon ballers.”

“Values spoken without actions taken are merely slogans.”

“Conversation is a minefield until you learn the conventions, Jane dear.’‘I’ll never learn all the rules,’ muttered Jane.‘Yes, you will,’ said Phryne. ‘Then you can bend them. The best advice I would give you is, “If under attack, cause a diversion”.’‘A diversion?’‘Yes, trip over the dog, spill a glass of wine on your attacker, burst into song, challenge your attacker to a duel. And the angrier you get, the lower your voice should be. Never shout unless you are shouting “Fire!”

“Whatever is scaring you, bring it into the light. It's strength will fade”

“He remains kind, but a feeling nags at me, staying with me long after I leave. And it's this: It doesn't matter what I did to him. He can choose to remain detached, untouched by me. Something I can't do back.”