Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)

by Brandon Sanderson

On an individual basis, in most interactions, this thing we call power—authority—exists only as it is perceived.

“As One, we knew truth,” Ym said, “but as many, we need ignorance. We exist in variety to experience all kinds of thought. That means some of us must know and others must not—just like some must be rich, and others must be poor.”

Relax otherwise. There will be people like this in any culture, for every society is made of individuals. You must learn this. Do not let your assumptions about a culture block your ability to perceive the individual, or you will fail.”

Expectation wasn’t just about what people expected of you. It was about what you expected of yourself.

“I ain’t grouchy,” Teft snapped. “I just have a low threshold for stupidity.”

Jasnah had once defined a fool as a person who ignored information because it disagreed with desired results.

we all see the world by some kind of light personal to us, and that light changes our perception. I don’t see clearly. I want to, but I don’t know if I ever truly can.”

“I will protect even those I hate,” Kaladin whispered through bloody lips. “So long as it is right.”