Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5)

by Terry Pratchett

This is the desk of a professional. It is clear that their job is their life. There are . . .human touches, but they are the human touches that strict usage allows in a chilly world of duty and routine.

“Look, that’s why there’s rules, understand? So that you think before you break ’em.”

“Against one perfect moment, the centuries beat in vain.”