Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)

by Joe Abercrombie

No one likes to shake hands with the man who empties the latrine pits either, but pits have to be emptied all the same. Otherwise the world fills up with shit.

The skies make no special dispensation for Magi, boy, they piss on everyone the same.

“A man who doesn’t want opinions should keep his own mouth shut.”

“Expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed.” “Expect nothing and you’ll get nothing.”

The Shanka might be ever so full of mad fury, but even they had to fear him. Everything did. Even the dead, who felt no pain. Even the cold stone, which did not dream. Even the molten iron feared the Bloody-Nine. Even the darkness.

“I am trying to establish the truth, Your Eminence—” “You are trying to establish what? The Closed Council are waiting for a confession, and you’re blathering about what?”