The Shadow of What Was Lost (The Licanius Trilogy, #1)

by James Islington

“You can put your trust in something that’s obvious, that’s measurable or predictable—but that’s not faith. Nor is believing in something that gives you no pause for doubt, no reason or desire to question. Faith is something more than that. By definition, it cannot have proof as its foundation.”

“We each have our temptations, Tal’kamar. We each have our own battles that must be fought.” He paused. “But you must fight them, my friend. You cannot hide from them. Otherwise you will never be more than you are.”

“Such is the way of weak men,” he murmured. “Daring to believe only in what can be seen, touched, and measured.”

And partly because most of them are fools, and they’ll welcome any chance to ignore what is happening rather than confront it.”