- Sultan Amar: Truth and courage should be the stars a man sets his course by. Now oil and money rule they world.
- Ali: Always a pleasure to see you, Your Highness. Or should I say "Father"?
- Sultan Amar: Why do you always have to mock everything?
- Ali: It's easier.
- Sultan Amar: Easier?
- Ali: Than to discuss our true feelings.
- Sultan Amar: And what are your true feelings?
- Ali: I am sorry that I cannot be more as you would like me to be.
- Emir Nesib: It is said that every man has three tasks to accomplish in this world: To plant a palm tree, to dig a well, and to father a son.
- Prince Auda: Peace be with you, brother.
- Ali: And leprosy on you, brother. I thought I told you to take it easy.
- Emir Nesib: I was going to offer you my sword but then I saw the inscription. "From your friends at Texan Oil."
- Prince Auda: Yes, perhaps that does take away some of the grandeur.
- [first lines]
- Emir Nesib: Here are my terms: All I want is your friendship.
- Sultan Amar: And my sons.
- Emir Nesib: Insurance for both of us. As long as they are under my roof.
- Sultan Amar: I cannot make war with you.
- Emir Nesib: But the sword cuts both ways. We can't make war with you, either. Your sons will be our bond for peace.
- Aicha: [to Auda] Perhaps I'll meet you sometime in the desert. For the Zamiri roam, and men and women fit together, like water and thirst. When they meet, they are everything. Alone we are nothing.
- Emir Nesib: Tarik, my son. Is there a greater curse than to be a poor king? I can't grow anything. I can't ship anything. I can't even trade anything, because who would want to come to Hobeika? Truly, to be an Arab is to be a waiter at the banquet of the world.
- [last lines]
- Princess Leyla: He's kicking so much. I think he's very eager to come out and help his father.
- Prince Auda: [to her belly] Don't be in such a rush. Stay where you are.