Quotes from C.W. Gortner

Sometimes it's the simplest things we should most long for.

The truth is, not one of is innocent. We all have sins to confess.

Love is a treacherous emotion. You will fare better without it. We Medici always have.

The world is only as small as we see it, my lady. Imagination knows no limits.

What we do not earn ourselves," he said, "is never truly ours. It can always be taken away. But even if we lose everything we work for, the achievement is ours forever.

You may come as a proud prince today young Habsburg. But you shall travel many more roads in Castile in death than you ever will in life

You'll fare beer without love. We Medici always do." As soon as I spoke, I regretted it. I'd remembered Papa Clement's phrase exactly, used it to the same horrid purpose. I saw her flinch, take a small step back. I wanted to console her, to somehow ease the harsh reality of what I'd said. But I could not. I would not lie to her nor pretend the task I set before her was anything other than what it was: an act of submission, which could entail the loss of her youthful dreams.

Since fortune was dragging its heels, I would lure it out with my hard work.

Youth is no protection; in the end, life scars us all.

I admire you. You have learned to rise with the wind, rather than fight it. Too many people struggle to become what is expected of them, when, as we both know, what is expected of us is rarely what we desire.

I fear I lose myself among books. I forget everything.

Mis sentidos se acostumbraron a ese bosque de traiciones y engaños, poblado por depredadores bien alimentados que la rodeaban como una manada de lobos a su presa.

There are moments that define our existence, moments that, if we recognize them, become pivotal turning points in our life.

Do not make the mistake of thinking you're unique, When we are young, we believe we can wrap life around our little finger, but life has a way of teaching us who is stronger. In The end, you are but a woman.

Even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks. Don't bother. Buy a DVD instead...Yes, someone cared. And isn't that what every writer dreams of?...So, how did I deal with bad reviews? How else? I cry. I get mad. I pretend not to care. Then I pour myself a glass of wine and call a friend to complain.

There are many ways to obtain our desires, ma petite. Remember that, for it will serve you well.

Was it worth it?" she sighed "I have found it is always worth fighting for what we believe in, regardless of the outcome. Risk is never without consequence.

Where was it written that I, child of no one, deserved such joy? It only happened at night, this abyss of dread, never during the day. Only in the empty hours between today and yesterday, when I was alone with my sleeping lover and the weight of the past crept upon me like a reproachful ghost.

What we do not earn ourselves," he said, "is never truly ours.

Nothing is the same afterward, is it? We carry on, as indeed we must, but we are never who we were." He

And opportunities are like stories in books," I retorted. "All we need do is pick one.

Simplicity," I said, "is true elegance. A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed. Her clothing should be seen only after she herself is.

After the night ended, she spun to me and yanked off her diadem. "There. I had my debut. I still hate parties.

But we are each created in God's image and must be allowed to seek our path to Him in our own way.