“Wretched are those preoccupied with insulting, belittling and discrediting others.”

“Indeed the state of all who are preoccupied is wretched, but the most wretched are those who are toiling not even at their own preoccupations, but must regulate their sleep by another's, and their walk by another's pace, and obey orders in those freest of all things, loving and hating. If such people want to know how short their lives are, let them reflect how small a portion is their own.”

“Tolerance is most decidedly not the equal of respect. It pales in comparison. In inter-personal relationships, tolerance as the basis of attitude and conduct is insulting, belittling and offensive. It smacks of condescension.”

“Interchangeable ever were the terms of abuse with which the aggressor discredits those about to be ravaged!”

“In a letter to Sebastian..."My brother is preoccupied with affairs of state and all the more suitable of his friends are unavailable at present, which only leaves you..."Seb winced. The minx. She knew how to deliver a neat insult.”

“Forgiveness isn’t something I’m preoccupied with — turning the other cheek isn’t my trip.”