“You can’t write novels about people who are timid, risk-averse and passive. Or you can, but they’re called literary novels.”

“Why was it, Lloyd wondered, that the people who wanted to destroy everything good about their country were the quickest to wave the national flag?”

“You never get cheered for telling people the situation is not as simple as they think.”

“There was a long moment of silence. Philip was holding his breath. When Remigius looked up again, his face was wet with tears. "Yes , please, Father," he said. "I want to come home." Philip felt a glow of joy. "Come on, then," he said. "Get on my horse."Remigius looked flabbergasted.Jonathan said: "Father! What are you doing?"Philip said to Remigius: "Go on, do as I say."Jonathan was horified, "but Ftaher, how will you travel?""I'll walk," Philip said happily. "One of us must.""Let Remigius walk!" Jonathan said in a tone of outrage."Let him ride," Philip said, "He's pleased God today.""What about you? Haven't you pleased God more than Remigius?""Jesus said there's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people," Philip countered. "Don't you remember the parable of the prodigal son? When he came home, his father killed the fatted calf. The angels are rejoicing over Remigius's tears. The least I can do is give him my horse.”

“Your integrity is like a sword, he would say: you shouldn't wave it until you're about to put it to the test.”

“We’re all good when it suits us, he used to say: that doesn’t count. It’s when you want so badly to do something wrong—when you’re about to make a fortune from a dishonest deal, or kiss the lovely lips of your neighbor’s wife, or tell a lie to get yourself out of terrible trouble—that’s when you need the rules. Your integrity is like a sword, he would say: you shouldn’t wave it until you’re about to put it to the test.”

“He was looking forward eagerly to seeing her again. He had coped perfectly well on his own, of course, but it was very reassuring to have someone in your life who was always ready to fight for you, and he had missed that comforting feeling,”