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July 9 - July 15, 2023
“I know. But if you’re furious whenever the Closed Council does something infuriating, you’ll be furious all the time. Rare anger can be inspiring. Frequent anger becomes contemptible.”
“I find myself on shaky ground when it comes to criticising others’ looks.
Clover wisdom
“The traditional punishment,” pattered the high justice. “For such crimes. Is hanging.” “I’m a member of the Open Council!” “You’ll find we all hang much the same,” said Glokta, softly.
Glokta’s left eye gave an ugly twitch. “Is that a threat?” “A humble entreaty,” though made in the very tone one might have used for a threat. “I would ask you to look into your heart.” “Oh, mine’s a very small one. People who seek for anything of much significance in there are inevitably disappointed.”
“I must confess I have always had some sympathy with villains. Heroism makes fine entertainment but sooner or later someone has to get things done.” “Well-written villains, maybe. You wouldn’t believe Wetterlant in a book! How the hell does a man end up like that?” “Being given everything he wants all his life. Being asked for nothing in return.” Orso frowned. He could have said much the same about himself.
Bayaz and Orso
Vick drank. Lorsen’s wine was as thin and sour as he was. But it was wine. She’d counted clean water an impossible luxury once. She never let herself forget it.
He’d never seen his wife and his daughter look so fine, so well fed, so happy. 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.
Broad
“Do you really think people are that stupid?” “Darling.” She leaned closer, and kissed him gently, and touched him lightly on the tip of his nose with her fingertip. “People are far more stupid than that.”
Leo and Savine
It was raining when they put him in the mud. Thin rain, making the whole world damp. Soft as a maiden’s kiss, as he used to say. Seemed right, somehow, for the occasion. The gulls and the sea and the sad voices deadened. Everything deadened, like the world was wrapped in a shroud. Usually, when a man goes in the ground, there are a few words said. Words from his chief or his family. How good they were, how strong, how brave. How much missed they’ll be by those staggering on. But today, it seemed everyone in Uffrith had words. The little garden beside the hall was packed shoulder to shoulder,
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Dogman's Funeral
“You’re a woman,” said Oxel, with a sneer. “True,” said Rikke. “I realised that the first time I tried to piss standing up. Most disappointing day of my life.” “My point is, you can’t lead. But there’s some who’ll listen to you, still. Out o’ respect for your father—” “And my pretty smile? What about my pretty smile? I’ve a pretty smile, haven’t I, Isern?” “Like the sun peeping from behind a stormcloud.” And Isern picked at that hole in her teeth with a fingernail, rooted some scrap of food out of it, held it thoughtfully to the light, then ate it.
They say belief is righteous, but to Muslan only doubt was divine. From doubt flows curiosity, and knowledge, and progress. From belief flows only ignorance and decay.
Savine rather enjoyed watching Leo sleep. When she agreed to marry him, she had expected to quickly become bored. To spend time on long trips. Maybe take a lover, in due course. But there was a lot to like about the Young Lion. Honesty, loyalty, courage, passion. Old-fashioned virtues, perhaps. The virtues of a really excellent dog.
The place looked like bribery, smelled like lust and sounded like blackmail.
A description of a house of leisure
“Winning teaches you nothing,” said Tunny. “You see what a man really is when he loses.”
“A bank with a reputation for mercy is like a whore with a reputation for chastity—one fears they won’t get the job done.
Orso talking about Valint and Balk
“You three are quite the jesters, ain’t you?” “Have a smile at breakfast,” droned Shivers, stony-faced, “you’ll be shitting joy by lunch.”
“Might be there was a lot to like about him, once you broke through the gritty crust.” Rikke gave a sigh as she watched him squirm under Isern’s boot. “Might be he had a collection of interesting bird skulls, or an excellent singing voice, or a lot of love for his sadly passed sister that caused him to weep at the quiet times.” Rikke looked at the rest of the men, all of them staring over with wide eyes. “But there’s so much to feel sorry for in the world. Can’t waste too much on folk who act like pricks.”
