Throne of Jade (Temeraire, #2)

by Naomi Novik

It is good to show respect to old gods, even if they are not yours. It must be very good luck for the ship.

I am very tired of this Government, which I have never seen, and which is always insisting that I must do disagreeable things, and does no good to anybody.”

“You may as well say, that if a creature will not serve people, and learn their habits, it is not intelligent, and had just as well be killed,”

“It is not fair that we should be thus restricted by others’ fears, when we have not done anything wrong;

pride was one thing; principle implacable enough to sacrifice a throne for, something else entirely.

Certainly we ought not be content to leave things as they are, now we know there is a better way.”