How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I want all the secrets opened up. I want all the files unlocked. I don't want anything hidden."
"You don't know what you're asking," said the Speaker. "You don't know how much pain it will cause if all the secrets come out."
"Take a look at my family, Speaker," she answered. "How can the truth cause any more pain than the secrets have already caused?" (13.220-222)
This is the working premise of Speakers for the Dead: No matter how ugly the truth, it is better than lies. Which seems reasonable, though surely there are some exceptions. For example, if you hate Shmoop, Shmoop doesn't want to know (Shmoop is sensitive like that.)
Quote #8
"…he knew that Ender was a destroyer, but what he destroyed was illusion, and the illusion had to die. Somehow this ancient man is able to see the truth and it doesn't blind his eyes or drive him mad. I must listen to this voice and let its power come to me so I, too, can stare at the light and not die. (15.164)
Ender as old, mad, bad searing divine awesomeness. You feel like you're supposed to drop to your knees and worship the book yourself, here. (Shmoop resisted the impulse though.)
Quote #9
She spoke. "You are the holy Speaker?" translated Human.
Jane corrected the translation. "He added the word holy."
Ender looked Human in the eye. "I am not holy," he said.
Human went rigid.
"Tell her."
He was in turmoil for a moment; then he apparently decided that Ender was the less dangerous of the two. "She didn't say holy."
[…]
"Please," said Ender, "be truthful between her and me."
"To you I'll be truthful," said Human. "But when I speak to her, it's my voice she hears saying your words. I have to say them carefully."
"Be truthful," said Ender. "Don't be afraid. It's important that she knows exactly what I said. Tell her this." (17.103-112)
The emphasis on exactitude as truth is a little odd if we're talking about translation. You can't translate exactly between human languages, so translating between a human and an alien language would involve a fair bit of approximation you'd think (surely the concept of "holy" can't be the same in both languages).