The bitterness of joy lies in the knowledge that it cannot last. Nor should joy last beyond a certain season, for, after that season, even joy would become merely habit.

The kind of teacher who never learned anything herself. Or taught anything, except sarcasm or fear.

I held out my book. It was precious to me, as were all the things I’d written; even where I despised their inadequacy there was not one I would disown. Each tore its way from...

I began to feel lighthearted. Don’t ever do that; it tempts some dark and evil force abroad in the universe.

It’s lovely. I hate it.

The humble were the elect of God. Did not the priests teach so, in their gemmed, kingly robes, from their towering pulpits?

We all have our dreams. May we find them, and God have mercy on us when we do.

Azhrarn, Lord of Terrors, terrified.

It was the forest’s fault. Those two handsome woodcutters. An evil place, the forest, everyone knew it, full of temptations and imps…

Maidens who stay maidens turn into saints. Old women become sorceresses. Tough jobs, both of these.

and their days make no story for they were good and joyful and without event

Azhrarn the Beautiful,” said Chuz lovingly, “it is your beautiful madness I have come to see.

The soul is a magician. Only living flesh hampers it.

What is any of this to us? Time is endless and ours. Love and Death are only the games we play in it.

I hate the way, once you start to know someone, care about them, their behavior can distress you, even when it’s unreasonable and not your fault, even if you were really trying to be careful,...

Men could not have too much. Ecstasy and vulnerability belonged in the same dish. The fear the cup would be snatched away was what gave the wine its savor and as Zhirem’s cup was sure,...

I’m not very good at being alive. Sometimes I despair of ever mastering it, getting it right. When I’m old, perhaps.

Standing by the frozen glass, he stared down at the icy, barely lit streets running towards the river Seine, the bell-clanging local church, then to the sky like black lead. (“Israbel”)

Whatever the hell I am, I am Me.

A rose by any other nameWould get the blameFor being what it is–The colour of a kiss,The shadow of a flame.A rose may earn another name,So call it love;So call it love I will,And love...

Israbel smiled once more. It was difficult to take your gaze away from her mouth – unless you looked into her eyes; and then you could only look at those… (“Israbel”)