How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"No, I'm not going to 'start on' the Code today," Myles replied. "For one thing, you boys won't agree with me until the glamour of being knights and nobles has worn off and you can see the toll our way of life has taken from you." (2.113)
According to Myles, following the Code of Chivalry comes with a lot of sacrifices. While the younger knights might not mind at first because they've bought into the idea of it being cool to be a knight, eventually it'll wear off. We have to wonder what Myles went through to make him so bitter about following the knightly principles.
Quote #5
Alanna didn't approve of lying, but in a pinch a lie was sometimes better than the truth. (3.24)
Sure, our little protagonist has principles. But she's also so driven to become a knight that she'll compromise those principles (like not lying) in order to do it. Fudging some of one's principles in order to enter a profession that is super-based on principles is sort of paradoxical, if you ask us.
Quote #6
Myles shook his head. "What are you trying to prove? … I truly love our Code of Chivalry. We are taught that noblemen must take everything and say nothing. Noblemen must stand alone. Well, we're men, and men aren't born to stand alone." (3.60)
Preach it, Myles! He sounds pretty bitter about the fact that the Code of Chivalry can isolate noblemen from one another, telling them they have to face their demons alone rather than ask for aid and support. And he makes a good point: noblemen are people too, with all the emotional needs of other human beings. We can't imagine that having principles is any substitute for a good friend who will comfort you in troubled times. Principles are incapable of passing the Kleenex and chocolate, after all.