Princeps' Fury (Codex Alera, #5)

by Jim Butcher

The last people in line for food were Maximus, Kitai, and Magnus. The latter had a decidedly disapproving glare on his face. “Not a word,” Tavi said quietly as Magnus approached. “Not a crowbegotten word, Magnus. I had to lay there like a bloody infant for more than a week. I’m in no mood to be scolded.” “Your Highness,” Magnus said, rather stiffly and just as quietly. “I would not dream of doing so in public. For fear that it would lessen the respect due your office.” Max stepped in front of Magnus without hesitation, seized a plate, and plunked it down on the counter next to Tavi. “Hey, cooky,” he said, yawning. “Give me a piece of ham that isn’t burned black. If you made such a thing.” “The rats knocked these three onto the floor before they were finished cooking,” Tavi replied, loading Max’s plate. “But then the crowbegotten little things refused to eat them for some reason.”

“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.”

that hardly a man ever made a fool of himself by keeping his bloody mouth shut.

Though the mountain might stand for a while, the sea would eventually wear it away. In the end, the sea always won.

“Open eyes are of little use when the mind behind them is closed.”