“Don't be smart. Smart is only a polished version of dumb. Try intelligence. It will surely see you through.”

“Maybe the only significant difference between a really smart simulation and a human being was the noise they made when you punched them.”

“But smart has to have a depth as well as a length. Some smart brushes over a problem. And some smart grinds exceeding slow, like the mills of God, and it grinds fine, and when it comes up with an answer, it has been tested.”

“The money… will talk?' said Mr Spools carefully.'Imps,' said Moist. 'They're only a sort of intelligent spell. They don't even have to have a shape. We'll print them on the higher denominations.”

“Listen very carefully... listen to everyone and don't say much and think about what they say and how they say it and watch their eyes... it becomes like a big jigsaw, but you're the only one who can see all the pieces. You'll know what they want you to know, and what they don't want you to know, and even what they think no one knows.”

“Credulous: having views about the world, the universe and humanity's place in it that are shared only by very unsophisticated people and the most intelligent and advanced mathematicians and physicists.”

“I'm sure you won't dream of trying to escape from your obligations by fleeing the city...''I assure you the thought never even crossed my mind, lord.''Indeed? Then if I were you I'd sue my face for slander.”