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One of the curses suffered by the intelligent is the power of imagination, for a clever mind will explore the dark possibilities with far more dedication than the bright.
All men are cowards of one stripe or another, he told me as I stared at the fellow’s corpse being dragged away. But I’ve no use for a man who runs after just one cut. Two means you’re smart; three means you’re stubborn.
Every battle is a forge, and every soul that survives the flames is made stronger.’”
Dumb loyalty also played its part, for such is the way with boys taken in by rogues; the largesse of the strong breeds a particular form of attachment that doesn’t break so easily.
“The first duke, for all his mean ways and meaner origins, understood something very important as regards power: it can be inherited through right of blood, but can only be truly won and held by spilling it.
all ambition is folly when it fails to be matched by reason.
My principal addiction has ever been the urge towards unwise action, the lust for the dramatic course, an unquenchable appetite for doing the unexpected.
A false oath has no value and the only reward it brings is the distrust and enmity of others, usually those with more wealth and power than you’ll ever have. So, if you give your word, make sure you keep it.
Remember what I taught you: cut through the deceit and see the truth.”
no woman was ever unaware of her beauty, but many a man was unaware of being snared by it until far too late.
