The Crystal Shard (Forgotten Realms: The Icewind Dale, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #4)

by R.A. Salvatore

Tradition. It is the root of who we are, the link to our heritage, the reminder that we as a people, if not individually, will span the ages.

It is that echoing sound deep in our hearts and our minds and our souls that reminds us of who we are by reinforcing who we were.

Tradition. What gravity indeed does that word impart! What power it wields! As it roots us and grounds us and gives us hope for who we are because of who we were, so it also wreaks destruction and denies change.

The meekest of animals will fight bravely when it is backed against a wall, for it has nothing left to lose. A poor man is more deadly than a rich man because he puts less value on his own life.