Whatever he believed, he believed. It didn’t matter to him whether it was true or not. He just changed the truth till it fit him. He was a real white man.
-- Henry Shackleford (Chapter 1 paragraph 88)

Importance: This quote explains a bit about John Brown's approach to religious faith and his view of the world. Henry learns throughout the novel that Brown's beliefs about people tend to stay firm despite how they may falter or disappoint him. In particular this refers to his faith in Henry from the very beginning and his assumption that Henry is a girl. It also reflects Brown's unshakable belief that the slaves are ready to take up arms for their freedom, seemingly oblivious to the well-earned sense of self-preservation slaves must hold. As a white man, he is unable to see that slaves' shackles are not just physical, but also mental.

They say a feather from a Good Lord Bird...
-- Frederick Brown (Chapter 2 paragraph 66)