I apologize for asking the obvious, but I have learned in matters magical to always state what I think is happening, because it so often is not what … - Michael Kurland

It’s what a man thinks is true which controls his actions, not what is really true.

An amphibophile is the sort of girl who goes around kissing princes in the hope that one of them will turn into a frog.

So, his Slavonic Majesty hires thieves to spy for him. Spying is such a foul business that I am surprised that even a good Angevin thief would stoop to it." He turned to Lord Peter with a sudden realization. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to imply—"
"That's all right, Your Highness," Lord Peter said. "It's a common reaction. Their spies are dirty, filthy scum, not fit to wipe your boots on, while our spies are noble gentlemen doing dangerous work for the love of King and Country. Would that it were so, Your Highness, but I'm afraid that sometimes the desired image is at fault—in both directions.