Only stupid men trying to seem smart need to be with dumb women. Only weak men trying to look strong are attracted to compliant women. - Orson Scott Card

Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire,” when the saying should have been, “Where there’s scandalous lies there’s always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.

The ways of love are strange and hard: the love you want is always barred; the love you have you want to change. The ways of love are hard and strange.

Are you the strongest of all men, so strong that you can be merciful to me, a weak woman? Here is the undoing of your strength: I am not a weak woman. I am not a little queen. And your mercy will be your undoing.