All of humanity's crimes [...] are only degrees of theft.
-- Crispin (Prologue)

Importance: This quote introduces the idea of crimes committed by humanity as a whole, groups of people, or individuals. It politicizes Crispin's work as a literary figure, and exemplifies Crispin's tendency to universalize through his unequivocal assertion that "all" of humanity's crimes are degrees of theft. Furthermore, it introduces the history of colonialism in the Philippines into the picture, as colonialism is ultimately a form of theft, whether of resources, people, labor, or land.

He's not a young boy, but a boyish man, as he would describe himself. He sits in his middle seat, notebook open, pen in hand, en route to Manila (I almost wrote "home," he thinks with a smile)."
-- Crispin (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote describes Miguel writing in his notebook during his flight to Manila. The tone of the quote reflects Crispin's regard for Miguel, as he fondly describes Miguel as "not...