“Such kindness wasn't a gift but a goad, scraping against one's skin like a yoke of thorns. She would have preferred him stiff, defensive, even offensive.”

“I felt ashamed for having judged him so harshly without knowing the real boy. His one offense against me―goaded by Charlie’s bullying character―was easy to forgive.”

“She questioned my sexual preference in a highly offensive way, so my fist questioned the proximity of her face in an even more offensive way.”

“Painting is not made to decorate apartments. It's an offensive and defensive weapon against the enemy.(about Guernica).”

“Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.”

“Have you ever fought an opponent you had no defense against? Like a fire breather or an acid spitter?""Once I faced a female with diamond skin," Nix said breathlessly. "I was transfixed - even as she was choking the life out of me.""Really?""No, I saw that character on X-Men. I just wanted to commiserate. Alas, I have no weaknesses.”