"Above all, a deep knowing that beauty and loss are one" (Chapter I, Cities of the Plain, pg. 71.)

"My belief is that she is at best a visitor. At best. She does not belong here. Among us" (Chapter I, Cities of the Plain, pg. 81.)

"Wake up and piss, he said. The world's on fire" (Chapter III, Cities of the Plain, pg. 175.)

"A man is always right to pursue the thing he loves.
No matter even if it kills him?
I think so. Yes. No matter even that"
(Chapter III, Cities of the Plain, pg. 199.)

"...for a thing once set in motion has no ending in this world until the last witness has passed" (Chapter III, Cities of the Plain, pg. 205.)

"I damn sure don't know what Mexico is. I think it's in your head. Mexico. I rode a lot of ground down there. The first ranchera you hear...