“Saudis of all sorts recent having to beg princes for favors to secure services that should be a public right”

“What unites conservatives and modernizers and young and old, is a hunger not for freedom but for justice; for genuine rule of law, not rule by royal whim. They want a government that is a transparent and accountable, one that provides standards services such as are available in far less wealthy societies: good education, job, affordable housing , and decent health care.”

“The Al Saud believe they have an asset more powerful than the ballot box: they have Allah.”

“It's the basic truth of the human condition: everybody lies.”

“Pain makes us make bad decisions. Fear or pain is almost as big of a motivator.”

“People say time changes things, but it’s not true. Doing things changes things. Not doing things leaves things exactly as they were.”

“You got three choices in life: be good, get good or give up.”