Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne Series: The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning (The Mistborn Saga)

by Brandon Sanderson

The measure of a person is not how much they have lived. It is not how easily they jump at a noise or how quick they are to show emotion. It’s in how they make use of what life has shown them.”

“All people are foolish, just in different ways,”

“Only expectation has value as currency, Waxillium,” Uncle Edwarn said. “This coin is worth more than the others because people think it is. They expect it to be. The most important things in the world are worth only what people will pay for them. If you can raise someone’s expectation … if you can make them need something … that is the source of wealth. Owning things of value is secondary to creating things of value where none once existed.”

Choice is an illusion, lawman. There are those created to be selfish and there are those created to be selfless. This does not make them good or evil, any more than the ravaging lion is evil when compared to the placid rabbit.

“The interesting thing about people is that while they might seem unique, they actually play into broad patterns. Historically, the working class has often been more resistant to change than the class oppressing them.”

The law is not something holy, son. It’s just a reflection of the ideals of those lucky enough to be in charge.”

The difference between good and evil men is not found in the acts they are willing to commit—but merely in what name they are willing to commit them in.”