The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1)

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Not justice, please, not justice. We would all be fools to pray for justice.

He pictured the entry: Sec’t’y-tutor, One ea. Gift from Grandmama. Aged thirty-five. Badly damaged in shipping. Value…?

The Bastard was the god of last resort, ultimate, if ambiguous, refuge for those who had made disasters of their lives.

“I have the answer!” she told him. “Cazaril, teach me how to kill a man with a knife.”

if I must ask of every action not only if it is wise or good, but also if it’s the one I’m supposed to choose, I shall go mad. Madder. I’ll end up curled in a corner not doing anything at all, except maybe mumbling and weeping.”

The world demands I make good choices on no information, and then blames my maidenhood for my mistakes, as if my maidenhood were responsible for my ignorance. Ignorance is not stupidity, but it might as well be. And I do not like feeling stupid.”