The Presence Malign Quotes

“And as the Little Princeling passed judgement upon the robber, advocates from the robber’s family cried out at the harsh sentence, saying ‘Be merciful. Our brother took only material possessions, not a life.’ The Little Princeling asked of them then, “Do we not measure a life by the sum of days behind one, and the sum of days standing before? And this poor victim of robbery, had he not labored long and hard, exchanging his prior hours and days for these material possessions? I tell you, by robbing his goods, your brother has stolen the content of his very days from him!”
― Michael Mersault, The Presence Malign

“As the first of the champions, the Little Princeling elected from the treasures first, the other two champions choosing after him. The second champion chose diamonds, the third champion chose gold, and only then did the Little Princeling reveal his choice: salt. He spoke then, saying ‘ When we cross the great desert this salt will preserve my life alone. How many chests of diamonds and gold would you then trade for one taste?”
― Michael Mersault, The Presence Malign

“Everything in Inga’s power constituted a sobering array of possibilities.”
― Michael Mersault, The Presence Malign

“All afternoon, the Little Princeling stood on the steps of the Great Bazaar, answering all questions posed by the crowd. The final question was posed by a woman of the goldsmiths: ‘What virtues are the greatest, O Prince?’

The Little Princeling answered immediately, saying, ‘Love and diligence are the greatest virtues.’

But as they walked from the Great Bazaar, the vizier’s daughter said, ‘Did you not tell me the greatest virtues are courage and ruthlessness?'

The Little Princeling replied to her, saying, ‘The greatest virtues for those who lead are not the same as for those who follow.”
― Michael Mersault, The Presence Malign

“Those who acknowledge past error come to know the pain of regret, but those who acknowledge no error will never find wisdom. Thus you will find that fools speak of a life free from regret.”
― Michael Mersault, The Presence Malign