The Serpent and the Pearl Quotes

“But I'd far rather live without souls or morals than Parmesan.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“Not wise, perhaps, to be rude to the Pope's favorite son, but my viper tongue still required a fool now and then on which to exercise its edges, and Juan Borgia served admirably in place of drunken innkeepers and tavern cheats.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“If you don’t know what lies ahead, make a good dramatic entrance and hope for the best.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“When a man gives you jewels, even if you’re planning to throw them back in his face, you should remember his name.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“It doesn't do to look too envious of other women. Men are already quite vain enough thinking we fight each other like cats for their attention, aren't they? - Giulia Farnese”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“Never trust a German to get a sauce right. Their solution to everything is just add more butter.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“It is better to be feared than loved. —MACHIAVELLI”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“Still, Madonna Giulia had insisted on bringing us along, so we would all make do until we could get out of this backwater and back to Rome where the morals were depraved but I at least had space for my spoons.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“A little defiance—good. Cooks with pepper in the soul fared better than those without.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“a little mortification was good for the soul.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“This house you speak of, for your sister and the mistress,” I said, ignoring him. “Does it have a library? And can I use it?” He laughed. “Yes. And yes.” “Then, Your Excellency”—I gave my most elaborate courtier’s bow, taking my knives back from his hands—“I am your man.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“My mother had always said there was no defense against the rude like a good, sweet-toned courtesy.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“Maybe his japes drove me to distraction sometimes, but he was still my big brother, and a girl with a proper big brother is never alone.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“The sight of iniquity, immorality, pure evil, perhaps the world's end; a kitchen in disorder.”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

“capon with just a squeeze of juice from a lime, nothing”
― Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl