“It's like a spell. It's so strong I can't fight it. Is love always like this?”

“Death comes suddenly and life is fragile and brief. No one can alter this either by prayers or spells.”

“But just as the river is always at the door, so is the world always outside. And it is in the world that we have to live.”

“The best way is to be strong enough to make your enemy think twice about attacking you, yet not so aggressive that he feels threatened. Keep your sword sheathed as long as you can, but once it is unsheathed, use it without hesitation.”

“It's what you do to yourself when you go mad with rage. You have no idea how much you can hurt yourself with your own strength.”

“The painter had achieved what we would all like to do: capture time and make it stand still”

“Don't you know the man whose life you spare will always hate you?”