"Many would prefer a kiss by the lips of falsity, than to be slapped by the hand of truth." (coy, chiding)

"And they did to it what is always done, to the learned and eloquent. They took a cage with stout bars, and shut it up inside." (reciting a Chinese poem)

"Alright. Go tell someone then. See who *they* believe is at fault. It'll either be you, or me. You already know what they’d think." (gaslighting, threatening, manipulating)