Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years, #1)

by Gregory Maguire

“No one is exempt from grief.”

“Exert some self-control.”

Men are stupid.

when the volcano’s ready there’s no priest in the world can pray it quiet.”

well, you always had an eye for the fellow with a decent helping of sausage and hard-boiled eggs—”

Oh my

“Well, your opinion is as good as hers, I think,” said Elphaba. “That’s the real power of art, I think. Not to chide but to provoke challenge. Otherwise why bother?”

“You’re not so bold at all,” said Elphaba, “you’re about as bold as tea made from used leaves.

“What’s he wearing such silly paint for?” said Avaric. “He only draws attention to himself. And that skin. I wouldn’t want to have skin the color of shit.” “What a thing to say,” said Elphaba. “If you ask me, that’s a shitty opinion.”

The thing is, my green girlie, it is not for a girl, or a student, or a citizen to assess what is wrong. This is the job of leaders, and why we exist.”

Hmmmm sounds familiar

“I know this: The wickedness of men is that their power breeds stupidity and blindness,”

One never learns how the witch became wicked, or whether that was the right choice for her—is it ever the right choice? Does the devil ever struggle to be good again, or if so is he not a devil? It is at the very least a question of definitions.”

There were more ways to live than the ones given by one’s superiors.

“When the times are a crucible, when the air is full of crisis,” she said, “those who are the most themselves are the victims.”

“But is life worth living in the wrong form?” said Elphie. “The interior doesn’t change,” she answered, “except by self-involvement. Of which be not afraid, and also beware.”

“Remember this: Nothing is written in the stars. Not these stars, nor any others. No one controls your destiny.”

People who claim that they’re evil are usually no worse than the rest of us.” He sighed. “It’s people who claim that they’re good, or anyway better than the rest of us, that you have to be wary of.”

“Liir, really, you pick the most awkward times to develop character,”