PATTEN ''The simple answer to your question is 'Tick tock, goes the clock.' '' - Chris Patten, when asked about the deadlines for a breakthrough in the Sino-British talks over political reform. CLINTON ''I feel quite good about what transpired. I think the American people should feel good.'' - President Clinton's comment, on his way to church, after the US missile attack on Iraq's intelligence headquarters, in retaliation for an alleged plot to assassinate George Bush. McGREGOR ''We have progressed down a long road with huge expenditure on a massive new airport. To come, at this stage, to the point that the airport may not be safe enough is not good enough.'' - Legco's Jimmy McGregor, after hearing that a $135-million wind shear warning system will be needed at Chek Lap Kok airport. LAU ''There has been a suggestion that I tricked the Home Secretary. It's just nonsense. How can I trick the Home Secretary into things he did not want to say?'' - Emily Lau, worrying that the British Home Office was about to renege on a pledge that Hongkong nationals would be able to enter the UK after 1997 in a worst-case scenario. HANG SENG ''Given Hongkong's current extensive economic relationship with China, virtually all sectors of the economy will be adversely affected by the latest developments in the mainland.'' - Hang Seng Bank warning on the effect of China's bid to cool itseconomy on Hongkong. DIPLOMAT ''Should inflation and the problem of the runaway money supply worsen, President Jiang will be the beneficiary.'' - Expert comment on Vice President Zhu Rongji's brief to ''cure and rectify'' China's economy. SHOPPER ''China doesn't make such high-end, beautiful things as Hongkong does.'' - Enthusiastic shopper at Guangzhou Fair's Hongkong pavilion, which was emptied of goods in a matter of minutes. WANG ''I believe that 'money as the core [of everything]' is more progressive than 'power as the core.' '' - Dissident Wang Dan, in his first article for the English language press published in the Post this week. DENG ''Yet if the [party] style continues to deteriorate, what will be the point of a successful economy.'' - Paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. LEUNG ''I hope Mr Lee will miss my fried rice. I hope he becomes very hungry. If Mr Lee gets very hungry, maybe he will open another restaurant.'' - Chef Leung Kit, one of 700 Lee Gardens Hotel staff made redundant by the closure of the hotel. CHIM ''If I had more hair, I would be too handsome.'' - Balding legislator Chim Pui-chung, reacting to a survey that claims thinning on top can cause social embarrassment and psychological trauma.