Man is a bird without wings… and a bird is a man without sorrows.
-- Iskander (chapter 10)

Importance: This quote encapsulates the work as a whole, as it helps to explain the motif of birds that is seen throughout the entirety of the novel. Though both humanity and birds have been given the gift of life, a bird has a certain level of freedom that humanity will never have, which is represented through their ability to fly. Iskander explains that what sets the two apart is that a bird does not have sorrows, while the novel shows that humans often experience much sorrow in life. Thus, de Bernières calls attention to the idea that it is human emotion and consciousness that holds humanity back from achieving spiritual, mental, or even physical freedom.

Destiny caresses the few, but molests the many, and finally every sheep will hang by its own foot on the butcher...
-- Iskander (chapter 1)