Peter Wiggin

"I've been studying history," Peter said. "I've been learning things about patterns in human behavior. There are times when the world is rearranging itself, and at times like that, the right words can change the world. Thing what Pericles did in Athens, and Demosthenes—"

"Yes, they managed to wreck Athens twice."

"Pericles, yes, but Demosthenes was right about Philip—"

"Or provoked him—"

"See? This is what historians usually do, quibble about cause and effect when the point is, there are times when the world is in flux and the right voice in the right place can move the world. Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin, for instance. Bismarck. Lenin."

• Ender's Game
  • p. 91 (Easton Press, 1993)

The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win. Everybody thinks Hitler got to power because of his armies, because they were willing to kill, and that's partly true, because in the real world power is always built on the threat of death and dishonor. But mostly he got to power on words, on the right words at the right time.

• Ender's Game
  • p. 93 (Easton Press, 1993)

"It's a long way between writing a newsnet column and ruling the world," Valentine reminded him. "It's such a long way that no one has ever done it."

"They have, though. Or the moral equivalent."

• Ender's Game
  • p. 98 (Easton Press, 1993)

Your brother hates you because you are living proof that he wasn't good enough.

• Ender's Game
  • p. 17 (Easton Press, 1993)

"Peter isn't all bad, you know. He was the best we'd seen in a long time. We asked your parents to choose a daughter next—they would have anyway—hoping that Valentine would be Peter, but milder. She was too mild. And so we requisitioned you."

"To be half Peter and half Valentine."

• Ender's Game
  • p. 18 (Easton Press, 1993)

Thank you for this, Peter. For dry eyes and silent weeping. You taught me how to hide anything I felt. More than ever, I need that now.

• Ender's Game
  • p. 33 (Easton Press, 1993)