The Warrior Prophet (The Prince of Nothing, #2)

by R. Scott Bakker

they had no idea how much time the long way could save so long as it were paved.

Most, by and large, were born narrow, and cared to see only that which flattered them. Almost without exception, they assumed their hatreds and yearnings to be correct, no matter what the contradictions, simply because they felt correct. Almost all men prized the familiar path over the true.

When one believed, one’s soul was moved. When one didn’t, everything else moved.

And when men who knew little argued with men who knew nothing, tempers were certain to be thrown out of joint.

to the paradox of power, that the more security one exacted from the world, the more insecure one became.

Fate was but one more world-born subterfuge, another lie men used to give meaning to their abject helplessness.

Love is lust made meaningful. Hope is hunger made human.

How does one learn innocence? How does one teach ignorance? For to be them is to know them not.