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

by Joe Abercrombie

“The failure of something great is never a simple matter, but where there is success and glory, there must also be failure and shame. Where there are both, jealousies must simmer.

I used to be a shit of a man, now I’m a husk of one. Take your pick.”

“Empathy? What’s that?” Glokta winced as he rubbed at his aching leg. “It’s a sad fact, but pain only makes you sorry for yourself.”

Fear teaches you caution, and respect for your enemy, and to avoid sharp edges used in anger.

Every man who’s worth a damn feels fear.

“Honour, eh? What the hell is that anyway? Every man thinks it’s something different. You can’t drink it. You can’t fuck it. The more of it you have the less good it does you, and if you’ve got none at all, you don’t miss it.”