Money was the manure of politics.
BARBARA MERTZMoney was the manure of politics.
BARBARA MERTZSuperstition has its practical uses.
BARBARA MERTZThere are too many people in the world as it is, but the supply of ancient manuscripts is severely limited.
BARBARA MERTZI knew the answer, and–of course–so did Ramses. He has superb breath control and always gets in ahead of me.
BARBARA MERTZWhen men start talking about ‘honor’, there is sure to be trouble ahead.
BARBARA MERTZMany persons lead lives of crushing boredom.
BARBARA MERTZIt is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance?
BARBARA MERTZIt was hate at first sight, clean, pure and strong as grain alcohol.
BARBARA MERTZI would never have supposed that inexperienced girl was capable of such cold-blooded, calculating manipulation!
BARBARA MERTZNothing looks as self-satisfied as a contented cat.
BARBARA MERTZI would not be at all surprised to find that it was for gold that Cain committed the first murder. (It happened a very long time ago, and Holy Writ, though no doubt divinely inspired, is a trifle careless about details. God is not a historian).
BARBARA MERTZThere is nothing sadder than the cheerful letters of the dead, expressing hopes that were never fulfilled, ambitions that were never achieved, dreams cut off before they could come to fruition.
BARBARA MERTZA lady cannot be blamed if a master criminal takes a fancy to her.
BARBARA MERTZBut the dust! And the clutter! My housewifely and scholarly instincts were equally offended.
BARBARA MERTZI do, however, think it would be difficult to write books I don’t like to read.
BARBARA MERTZIt’s not unsporting to thrash a cowardly cad,’ said Simmons. ‘Everyone knows you don’t fight like a gentleman.’ ‘That might be called an oxymoron,’ Ramses said. ‘Oh–sorry. Bad form to use long words. Look it up when you get home.’ The poor devil didn’t know how to fight, like a gentleman or otherwise.
BARBARA MERTZ