Inside Man

by K.J. Parker

Clerical work is as close as any of us can hope to get to death: oblivion, the untroubled dreamless sleep of the deskbound.

Conflict is where two parties come together to sort out their differences through combat, with a view to reaching a definitive conclusion. It’s a voluntary act of cooperation designed to achieve a positive outcome.”

To forgive is divine, but nobody’s looking.