“the likeness was stricking. Not exact, of course - no man ever looks exactly like his father - but there was something there, no doubt about it, even with the younger man's beard and straggling hair. Something in the cast of the eyes and the bone structure, perhaps, or in the play of the expression: a kind of ponderous agility, a genetic shadow that was beyond the skills of any actor.”

“He felt more human with his boots on. A man can face the world with something on his feet.”

“Does a name stick because it suits a man or does the man, unconsciously, evolve into his name?”

“any rash fool can be a hero if he sets no value on his life, or hasn't the wit to appreciate danger. But to understand the risk, perhaps even to flinch at first, but then to summon the strength to face them down - that in my opinion is the most commendable form of valour”

“A man who casts no shadow isn't really a man at all.”

“She didn't say goodbye. She set off up the street, dodging the pedestrians, walking fast. He watched her, waiting to see if she might look back. But of course she didn't. He knew she wouldn't. She wasn't the looking-back kind.”

“From the subjective perspective, he may seem cruel, even wicked. But the glory of the man is to be found in the objective perspective.”