Were I a real master of intrigue, I would not have the reputation for being a master of intrigue. - John C. Wright

Quentin looked glum and shook his head. “Unleashing the appetites is not freedom, but another type of slavery. Freedom in the absence of virtue will destroy a country as quickly as any tyranny.”
Victor said, “Virtue imposed from without is not virtue at all, but merely prudence. A man who avoids lying merely because a law tells him to tell the truth will avoid telling the truth as soon as the law tells him to lie.”

Comedy is easy. Intrigue is hard.

I will grant you three wishes, but do not ask for immortality without asking for eternal youth.