I would rather be a servant in my Father's house then a King in Damascus

This quote near the end I rather like,d it sounds Biblically though I don't think it is.

I definitely view it as being an inversion of the famous quote of Lucifer fomr Paradise Lost "It's better to reign in Hell then Rule in Heaven" basically this protagonist was proclaiming the opposite philosophy.

"When the chips are down... these Civilized people... will Eat each Other"