The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness, #2)

by Joe Abercrombie

“But in the end, no man can defeat his own bladder.”

All tears are for oneself, in the end.

It’s easy to scream about the fence when you’re on the wrong side of it. Some mad twist of fortune lands you on the right side, though, the fence starts to look like it might not be such a bad idea. Might even be worth all the sacrifices. Other people’s sacrifices aren’t that hard to make.

Back to the mud, Dogman.” And he gave the earth a slow nod. “Feels like the best of us goes in the ground with you.”

“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”

“Winning teaches you nothing,” said Tunny. “You see what a man really is when he loses.”

And as simply as that, it was done. No ceremony, no medals, no grand speech and no cheering crowds. From the pinnacle of power to a toothless old cripple in one brief conversation. The chair squeaked from the room and the doors were shut upon Sand dan Glokta. The era of Old Sticks was at an end.

“Everyone should forgive themselves, Vick.” He gave her wrist another squeeze then let her go, looking out towards the lake again. “After all… no one else will.”

You can’t get attached to weapons in a battle any more than you can get attached to men. Sometimes you have to leave ’em in the dirt.

“Trouble with being a strong man or a clever man with a big, bad name,” he said, and he ought to know, after all, “is that folk always have their best fight ready for you.”