The Just City (Thessaly, #1)

by Jo Walton

“Do you know that?” Sokrates asked. Pytheas closed his mouth, looking dumbfounded. After a minute said: “It’s my opinion and what I’ve been taught.”

It took me a long time to realise that I’d been extending equal significance as a favor on an individual basis and that it really applied to absolutely everyone

This is my highlight quote for the year.

I did an exercise at the end of every day, if I could keep awake long enough, when I tried to imagine the inner significance of everyone who had spoken to me that day.

You can trust somebody for some things and not for others.

“Numbers are difficult evidence. You can make them mean so many things.”

My job.

“Plato didn’t have as much experience of humanity as he needed to write a book like the Republic,” Sokrates said. “Perhaps nobody does.”

“What everyone knows, Sokrates examines,”

“Why do you want him?” Sokrates asked. “It’s personal,” I said. “In that case I think we’d better accompany you!” Ikaros said. “Personal matters are always better sorted out—” “With a debate team? No, thank you.”

We’ve established, I think, that what Plato knew about love and real people could have been written on a fingernail paring.

“How could a being made by men out of glass and metal have a soul?” Pytheas asked. “How could a being made by women out of blood and sperm?” I countered.

“There isn’t an end point to excellence where you have it and you can stop. Being your best self means keeping on trying.”

“And don’t you think I should have a choice?” “Yes, I do, but I think you should choose me.”