Old Wit Quotes

“It was inside me. The more I sought it, the stronger it grew. It loved me. Loved me even if I couldn't, wouldn't, didn't love myself. Love me even if I hated. It set its tiny teeth in my soul and braced and held so that I couldn't crawl any further. And when I tried, a howl of despair burst from it, searing me, forbidding me to break so sacred trust.
It was Smithy.”
― Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice

“Because your heart will be hammered against him, and your strength will be tempered in his fire.”
― Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice

“Had they been dogs they would have sniffed me over and then drawn back. But humans have no such inbred courtesies.”
― Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice

“The King's tool. I see.' An oppression settle over me. My brief glimpse of blue skies arching over yellow roads and me travelling down them astride Sooty suddenly vanished. I thought of the hounds in their kennels instead, or of the hawk, hooded and strapped, that rode on the King's wrist and was loosed only to do the King's will.”
― Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice