The Wisdom of Crowds (The Age of Madness #3)

by Joe Abercrombie

‘In crowds it is stupidity and not mother wit that is accumulated.’

A potter doesn’t need a grand cause to shape his clay for, does he? Why hold a thug to a higher standard? Broad thought

‘First fear’s their weapon.’ Clover remembered winning a few fights before they began, using just a hard stare and the weight of his name. ‘Then it becomes their shield. Only thing that’ll stop their enemies trying to kill ’em. Only thing that’ll stop their friends trying to kill ’em. They get scared o’ not being feared enough, so they pile horror on horror. Turn ’emselves into monsters. And since memory tends to make the past look bigger, today’s bastards are always hunting for ways to out-bastard the bastards o’ yesteryear.’

‘History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.’

That’s marriage. People change, and not always in the way you want, and you’re chained together anyway.

‘This is not a victory or a defeat, Leo, it is a marriage.’