“ It is better to be strong and cruel than to be fair. At least, one eats better that way. And morality is more dependent on the state of one's stomach than of one's nation Catherynne M. Valente
“ But cheating has always been the purview of fairies, and as we are about to enter their domain, we ought to act in accordance with local customs. Catherynne M. Valente
“ I am a golem, child,’ answered Lye calmly. ‘My mistress wrote it there. She was marvelous clever and knew all kinds of secret things. One of the things she knew was how to gather up all the slips of s… Catherynne M. Valente
“ Koschei the Deathless made a face as he tasted the wine. "It is far too sweet. Comrade Stalin fears bitterness and has the tastes of a spoiled princess. I savor bitterness--it is born of experience. I… Catherynne M. Valente
“ I savor bitterness — it is born of experience. It is the privilege of one who has truly lived. You, too, must learn to prefer it. After all, when all else is gone, you may still have bitterness in abu… Catherynne M. Valente
“ September felt panic burn through her like gasoline. Why couldn't he understand her? "But I didn't [choose]! I have hardly had a chance to breathe since I got here and it's always like that in Fairyla… Catherynne M. Valente
“ It is true that novelists are shameless and obey no decent law, and they are not to be trusted on any account, but some Mysteries even they must honor. Catherynne M. Valente
“ I'm sure you've heard people talk about their Heart's Desire—well that's a load of rot. Hearts are idiots. They're big and squishy and full of daft dreams. They flounce off to write poetry and moon at… Catherynne M. Valente
“ Squeeze your eyes closed, as tight as you can, and think of all your favorite autumns, crisp and perfect, all bound up together like a stack of cards. That is what it is like, the awful, wonderful bri… Catherynne M. Valente
“ Music has more rules than math or magic and it's twice as dangerous as both or either. Catherynne M. Valente
“ Time is the only magic, he said, "And Marids swim through time like the sea. Think: if you hurt yourself, and I bandage it, and after weeks and weeks it gets well and there's no scar, that's not magic… Catherynne M. Valente
“ Do you think I am a foo, Masha? All this time, and you speak to me as though I were a flighty pinprick of a girl. I am a magician! Did you ever think, even once, that I loved lipstick and rouge for mo… Catherynne M. Valente
“ Magic has a logic, like algebra. Once you get to know it, it's easy. If this, then that. You write with a pencil, you don't make frog soup with it. Catherynne M. Valente
“ Sometimes, magic is like that. It lands on your head like a piano, a stupid, ancient, unfunny joke, and you spend the rest of your life picking sharps and flats out of your hair. Catherynne M. Valente
“ That is the trouble with standing up to people, of course. Once you start doing it, you can hardly stop. Catherynne M. Valente
“ When you argue with verve in your saddlebags, you are extremely alive. That is why you yell and holler and shake your fist — could there be anything sweeter than convincing someone to see the world yo… Catherynne M. Valente
