Quotes from Jim Butcher

Animals do not do what they have done. Animals kill to eat, to defend themselves or their own, and to protect their territory. Not for the joy of it. Not for the lust of it...Only humans do that, wizard.

No matter where you go, there you are. [- Uriel to Harry Dresden]

One does not simply walk into Mordor--except that was exactly what everyone in the story did anyway.)

Tonight you will be visited by three spirits. The ghosts of indictment past, present, and future. They will teach you the true meaning of 'you are still a scumbag criminal.

It was a well-known fact that humans became more addled than usual when running in herds.

Are you serious? What the hell does a stunt double do in a porno flick? Jake waved a hand vaguely toward his belt. Extreme close-ups. Uh. What? Historically speaking, it doesn't happen often. Especially what with Viagra now. But it isn't unknown for a director to bring in a double for the close of a scene, if the actor is having trouble finishing. I blinked. He thought I was a stunt penis? Jake laughed at my reaction. Man. You are new.

Children have their own kind of power. When you're teaching them, protecting them, you are more than you thought you could be. More understanding, more patient, more capable, more wise.

I... briefly wondered why I kept running into repeat uses of various locations around town. This wasn't the first time I'd dealt with the bad guys choosing to reuse a location different bad guys had used before them. Maybe there was a Villainous Time-share Association. Maybe my life was actually a basic-cable television show, and they couldn't afford to spend money on new sets all the time.

He stared at me. "Wh-what did you say?" "A stuffed animal, man!" I roared at him. "Don't mess with a wizard when he's wizarding!

There is hinkiness afoot with regard to my, ah, disposition.

Thomas grunted. Might have been smarter for them to have left you alone. Now you know something. I made an exasperated sound. Yes. Those fools. By trying to kill me, they've revealed their very souls. I have them now. Thomas gave me a steady look. Being Mab's bitch has made you a pessimist. I am not a pessimist, I said loftily. Though that can't last. That made Thomas grin. Nice. Thank you.

the Stone Table [was] a place that served as the OK Corral for the Faerie Courts when they decided to engage in diplomacy by means of murdering anyone on the other team.

How long have you been a Sidhe-sicle?

Fear is bred from ignorance. So knowledge is a weapon against it, and reason is the tool of knowledge.

Harry, life isn't simple. There is such a thing as black and white. Right and wrong. But when you're in the thick of things, sometimes it's hard for us to tell. You didn't do what you did for your own benefit. You did it so that you could protect others. That doesn't make it right - but it doesn't make you a monster, either. You still have free will. You still get to choose what you will do and what you will be and what you will become.

I've been learning this kind of thing, Tavi replied. I can show you later. How did you steal all of that without learning how to open a lock? I stole the keys, Katai said. Obviously.

Life is precious, fragile, fleeting - and Murphy's life was one of my favorites.

This is scary. And we're doing it anyway, I said. That makes us brave, right? If we get away with it, I said. If we don't, it just makes us stupid.

Rip her dress off!" Bob shouted. Bob the Skull takes paperback romances very seriously. The next page turned so quickly that he tore the paper a little. Bob is even harder on books than I am. "That's what I'm talking about!" Bob hollered, as more pages turned.

I hadn't gotten beaten up twice, shot, and nearly strangled to get taken out by a misguided werewolf bitch.

Whenever it gets too dark, think of the good things you have, the good times you've had. It will help. I promise.

Butters blinked at looked at Thomas. My God, he said. You've been shot. Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here. I'd have gone with Doogie Howser, maybe, I said. Split the difference at McCoy? Thomas asked. Perfect.

It doesn't make you a monster to want, she said, her voice very gentle. It's what you do with it that matters.

Fear is a prison. But when you combine it with secrets, it becomes especially toxic, vicious. It puts us all into solitary, unable to hear one another clearly.