Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)

by Orson Scott Card

to write a story in which gifted children are trained to fight in adult wars. Because never in my entire childhood did I feel like a child.

All our lives we’ve unconsciously been living by the philosophy, “The only way to gain respect is doing so well you can’t be ignored.”

Sometimes lies were more dependable than the truth.

But the ache was there, thick in his throat and the front of his face, hot in his chest and in his eyes. I want to go home.

It didn’t matter he was brilliant and dedicated and good. He was a child. He was young.

“I was afraid that I’d still love you.” “I hoped that you would.” “My fear, your wish—both granted.”

None of us could be happy for long, doing nothing. Or perhaps it’s just that none of us could be happy living with no other company than ourself.