Princeps' Fury (Codex Alera, #5)

by Jim Butcher

“Feh. Aquitaine thinks me his enemy. The fool. If I truly hated him, I’d give him the Crown.”

“Respect is elder to convenience.” “And besides,” Tavi said drily, “if you didn’t respect them, they’d eat you.” “Survival is also elder to convenience,” Gradash agreed.

“Ambassador,” Max said, “in the course of my life, I have more than once been too ignorant to know that something was impossible before I did it anyway. I see no reason to jeopardize that success.”

“Any man with a brain in his head looks for three things in anyone he’ll follow: will, brains, and a heart.” His eyes grew distant. “Gaius has the first two. He’s one fearsome old cat.” He gestured at himself. “I’ve the first and last. But those things aren’t enough. Gaius never felt much for his people. He had their fear and respect. Never their love. I took care of my men as best I could. But I let my fear for them blind me to what else was happening.”