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“Inappropriate?” Pattern said. “Such as … dividing by zero?”
The trick to happiness wasn’t in freezing every momentary pleasure and clinging to each one, but in ensuring one’s life would produce many future moments to anticipate.
“That’s why I’m angry! Thank you for what you’re showing us, but don’t expect me to be happy that I need you for it. This just reinforces the belief within you, maybe even within myself, that your people should be the ones who decide upon our freedom in the first place.”
Life doesn’t stop for a war, child. Everyone will still need new shoes, baskets, clothing, wine.”
“Shallan, you’re their commander. Maybe not their military commander, as they’re a civil guard, but it amounts to the same thing. Leave them idle, make them assume they’re inconsequential, and you’ll ruin them. Give them something important to do instead, work they’ll be proud of, and they’ll serve you with honor. A failed soldier is often one that has been failed.”
Shallan wasn’t certain what she thought of the idea of a “true soldier” being the type who didn’t care about politics. Shouldn’t the why of what a man was doing be important to him?
“But sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a person who is in the process of changing.”
“Most men who have made a pass at me end up missing a finger or two, Red.” “I’d still have plenty left to satisfy you, I promise.”
Throughout his youth, Kaladin had dreamed of joining the military and leaving quiet little Hearthstone. Everyone knew that soldiers traveled extensively and saw the world. And he had. He’d seen dozens upon dozens of empty hills, weed-covered plains, and identical warcamps. Actual sights, though … well, that was another story.
These men weren’t well trained, but any fool with a sharpened edge could be dangerous.
the truth may be simple, but it is rarely easy.”
Turned out that the end of the world had to actually arrive before people would take it seriously.
Dalinar waved for the man to open his canteen, then sniffed for alcohol. “It’s clean this time?” “Absolutely! You chastised me last time. Water only.” “And so you keep the alcohol…” “In my flask, sir,” Rial said. “Right leg pocket of my uniform. Don’t worry though. It’s buttoned up tight, and I’ve completely forgotten it’s there. I’ll discover it when duty is done.” “I’m sure.”
You’re going to roll over this whole city, charming each person in turn, aren’t you?” “Hopefully not. That sounds like it would take a lot of time.”
He looked like the kind of old rogue you’d find in a pub, with handy tales about the brilliant things he’d done in his youth. The kind of man that made women think they preferred older men, when in reality they just preferred him.
It was useful to have a reputation, so long as it didn’t crush you.
It was gratifying to see how much one could accomplish in both politics and trade by liberally murdering the other fellow’s soldiers.
Aim for the sun. That way if you miss, at least your arrow will fall far away, and the person it kills will likely be someone you don’t know.”
You are not worse for your association with the world, but it is better for its association with you.”
The need for clean clothing outlived disasters. The end of the world could come, but that would only mean more bloodstains to wash.
Order was the very substance of rule. If things were organized, control could be asserted.
Love wasn’t about being right or wrong, but about standing up and helping when your partner’s back was bowed.
‘The question,’ she replied, ‘is not whether you will love, hurt, dream, and die. It is what you will love, why you will hurt, when you will dream, and how you will die. This is your choice. You cannot pick the destination, only the path.’
Szeth laid waste to the red-eyed soldiers, who kept coming, showing no fear. Screaming, as if they thirsted for death. It was a drink that Szeth was all too good at serving.
The most important step a man can take. It’s not the first one, is it? It’s the next one. Always the next step, Dalinar.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done,” Dalinar whispered. “If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.”
Life breaks us, Teft. Then we fill the cracks with something stronger.”
Excellence was an individual quest, not a group effort.
“You looked like person who needed hug.” “I assure you, I never look like that.
“So…” he said. “You mentioned something about kissing me until I can’t breathe. But here I am, not even winded—”
