Forge of Darkness (The Kharkanas Trilogy #1)

by Steven Erikson

Peace did not serve order; order served peace, and when order became godlike, sacrosanct and inviolate, then the peace thus won became a prison, and those who sought their freedom became enemies to order, and in the elimination of such enemies, peace was lost.

Civilizations in decline are notable when certain of their members escape justice, and do so with impunity.’

the only thing worthy of worship is humility itself.’

‘“Anger is the death of beauty.”

‘When you feign ignorance of the wounds your words deliver, you dissemble.’

‘You can argue with nature and of course you will lose. You can argue with someone else and unless the wager is one of life or death, then the exercise is meaningless.