Jade

“As long as you wear the skin of what’s considered an ordinary person and follow the manual, you won’t be driven out of the village or treated as a burden.”
― Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman

“Now, too, I felt reassured by the expression on Mrs. Izumi and Sugawara’s faces: Good, I pulled off being a “person.”
― Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman

“I’d never meant to make them sad or have to keep apologizing for things I did, so I decided to keep my mouth shut as best I could outside home. I would no longer do anything of my own accord, and would either just mimic what everyone else was doing, or simply follow instructions.”
― Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman

“As a queen, you'll have to choose what our city stands for. What's worth fighting for and what isn't, not based on what's right or wrong, but based on what allows your people to live unconcerned lives. And despite the fact that every intention you have is pure, they'll hate you. They can't help it. There is no decision you will make, ever, that everyone will support. You either don't do enough, or you do it the wrong way, or you're too soft, or you're too vicious.
... People need something to be upset about for their happiness to be real, " he explained, voice emotionless. "We only notice the day because there is night. We only truly quenched by water after thirst sets in. They need the negative, even if they manufacture it. It's the only way they understand the value of the positive. As their queen you're an easy target. They'll look for any crack, any blemish and scream about it. But the fact that they're screaming about you and not parishing in wars or starving in the mines will show you you've done your job well. And when you die, they'll visit your statue in the Heroes Hall and wail over what a wonderful leader you were, though you won't be around to hear it.”
― Victoria Aveline, Ruling Sikthand