How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
[Nick] grabbed a fistful of the chains around her neck, and she turned her face away. They had been like this for as long as Nick could remember. He could not forgive her for the lives they had led, for Dad's death. He could not forget the look on Alan's face, and that was her fault as well. (3.179)
This is one of the sentiments it's kind of cool to come back to after you've finished the book and you know the truth behind all the lies. Like so many of Nick's beliefs, this one is based on a false premise, and there's a lot going on that Nick doesn't yet understand.
Quote #5
Nick didn't lie. He'd seen Alan lie to people his whole life and every time he opened a book he saw words twist across pages, their meaning slipping away from him. Words were treacherous enough without him telling lies. (3.250)
It's true—Nick doesn't lie. He says what he thinks (often without thinking at all), and to some extent we have to respect that. As for Alan, he tells a lot of lies, but on some level, we understand—and respect—his choices, too. So who do you think is more honorable here? The brother who doesn't lie, but unbeknownst to himself is living a lie, or the brother who lies in order to protect him? It's a tough question to understand, we know, and it's even tougher to answer.
Quote #6
Everyone pretended the world was different than it was. Nick supposed he shouldn't be surprised. After all, most people did not even know magic existed. People were good at being blind. (4.185)
Self-deception: we all fall victim to it from time to time. It can be pretty easy to see what we want to see or hear what we want to hear in situations where the alternatives are less attractive. Like if you fail a test because you didn't study the material (at all), sometimes it's easier to blame the teacher. Or the test. Or your lack of sleep. Or the student behind you who kept coughing and blowing his nose. Anything but your poor study habits, because admitting that you dropped the ball can be tough.