The Darkness That Comes Before (The Prince of Nothing, #1)

by R. Scott Bakker

If it is only after that we understand what has come before, then we understand nothing.

“There’s strength in scepticism,” Simas continued. “Those who believe thoughtlessly in dangerous times are the first to die.

His body prostrate across hands beneath the sun, Achamian found himself moved to delirious wonder by the sound of the man’s voice. Such a voice! One that fell upon passions and thoughts rather than ears, with intonations exquisitely pitched to incite, to enrage.

Some events mark us so deeply that they find more force of presence in their aftermath than in their occurrence. They are moments that rankle at becoming past, and so remain contemporaries of our beating hearts. Some events are not remembered—they are relived.

“And is not every task like a journey? Every accomplishment a destination? Every hunger a point of departure?”

“What comes before determines what comes after,” Kellhus continued. “For the Dûnyain, there’s no higher principle.” “And just what comes before?” Cnaiür asked, trying to force a sneer. “For Men? History. Language. Passion. Custom. All these things determine what men say, think, and do. These are the hidden puppet-strings from which all men hang.”

This whole sentence was fascinating!