“Martin, did you ever play basketball?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me, what’s a foul?”

“It’s when a player breaks one of the rules. Do it five times and you’re kicked out of the game. Six, if it’s the NBA.”

Phillip smiled. “Good. The best way I’ve ever summed up the war as I see it is that one side, our side, sees a foul as being against the rules, and if you do it too many times you have to be removed. The other side, Jimmy’s side, sees fouls as things you’re allowed to get caught doing several times, and if you don’t, you aren’t trying hard enough.”

“So you’re mad at Jimmy because you think his side cheats at life.”

“Partly. Mostly I’m mad because I’m pretty sure his side is going to win.”

Meyer, Scott (2014-03-18). Off to Be the Wizard (Magic 2.0, Book 1) (Kindle Locations 2566-2572). 47North. Kindle Edition.