“I would be the first to admit that my maternal instincts are not well developed--though in defense I must add that the raising of Ramses would have discouraged any woman.”

“I would be the first to admit that my maternal instincts are not well developed--though in defense I must add that the raising of Ramses would have discouraged any woman.”

“My feelings are a fact, not a personal delusion. They are valid for me. What business have you got trying to tell me how I ought to feel?”

“I had had my night of weeping...I had purged myself of useless emotions that terrible night, now every nerve every sinew, every thought was bent on a single purpose”

“Reputable scholars might have denied its authenticity, but there are always other scholars who disagree--and people will believe what they want to believe, never mind the evidence. If there is anything life has taught me, it is that there is no idea so absurd that someone will not accept it as truth, and no action so bizarre that it will not be justified in the eyes of a true believer.”

“I do not scruple to employ mendacity and a fictitious appearance of female incompetence when the occasion demands it.”

“In the silence I heard Bastet, who had retreated under the bed, carrying on a mumbling, profane monologue. (If you ask how I knew it was profane, I presume you have never owned a cat.)”

“Why is a man with a knife after your blood? Who sent him? I would like to write the fellow a letter of thanks!”

“If she hasn't learned to appreciate my sterling character and spectacular good looks by this time, it's not likely she will.”

“Don't sound so surprised. I have sensible moments, you know.”

“...Peabody had better retire to her bed; she is clearly in need of recuperative sleep, she has not made a sarcastic remark for fully ten minutes.”

“I have learned that particularly clever ideas do not always stand up under close scrutiny.”