“Every golden age is as much a matter of disregard as of felicity.”

“Felicity, felicity - how shall I say it? - is quaffed out of a golden cup in every latitude: the flavour is with you - with you alone, and you can make it as intoxicating as you please.”

“Human felicity is produced not as much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen as by little advantages that occur every day.”

“You’re so naïve.” Felicity laughed scornfully. “Don’t you see what people are? They’re animals. Every one of them.”“Felicity.” Waverly grabbed hold of the girl’s hand and squeezed hard enough to hurt, until Felicity lifted her eyes to Waverly’s. “We’re animals, too. We can fight back.”Felicity yanked her hand away. “You idiot. It doesn’t matter how hard you fight.”“It matters to me,” Waverly said quietly.“So fight, then,” Felicity spat over her shoulder.Waverly stood up, fists clenched. “I will.”

“The past was still a Golden Age, of ignorance, while the present is an Iron Age of willful bliss.”

“Hunting hawks did not belong in cages, no matter how much a man coveted their grace, no matter how golden the bars. They were far more beautiful soaring free. Heartbreakingly beautiful.”