Last Argument of Kings (The First Law, #3)

by Joe Abercrombie

It can be a fearsome weapon, patience. One that few men ever learn to use.

People would far rather be handed an easy lie than search for a difficult truth, especially if it suits their own purposes.

He was gradually starting to realise that the more powerful a man became, the fewer choices he really had.

But you can’t truly hate a man without loving him first, and there’s always a trace of that love left over.

I chose glory and success. The box did not contain what was written on the lid.”

It can be a terrible curse for a man to get everything he ever dreamed of. If the shining prizes turn out somehow to be empty baubles, he is left without even his dreams for comfort.

Trust. It was a word that only liars used. A word the truthful had no need of.

What good does blame do? We all do what we have to. I gave up looking for reasons a long time ago.”