Road of the Patriarch Quotes

“• Reality is a curious thing. Truth is not as solid and universal as any of us would like it to be; selfishness guides perception, and perception invites justification. The physical image in the mirror, if not pleasing, can be altered by the mere brush of fingers through hair.

And so it is true that we can manipulate our own reality. We can persuade, even deceive. We can make others view us in dishonest ways. We can hide selfishness with charity, make a craving for acceptance into magnanimity, and amplify our smile to coerce a hesitant lover. The world is illusion, and often delusion, as victors write the histories and the children who die quietly under the stamp of a triumphant army never really existed. The robber baron becomes philanthropist in the final analysis, by bequeathing only that for which he had no more use. The king who sends young men and women to die becomes beneficent with the kiss of a baby. Every problem becomes a problem of perception to those who understand that reality, in reality, is what you make reality to be.

This is the way of the world, but it is not the only way.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Let us say that we did battle, and I emerged the victor. By your reasoning, I would thus become the rightful King of Vaa-oh, wait. I see now. That would not serve, since I haven't the proper bloodline. What a cunning system you have there. You and all the other self-proclaimed royalty of Faerun. By your conditions, you alone are kings and queens and lords and ladies of court. You alone matter, while the peasant grovels and kneels in the mud, and since you alone are 'rightful' in the eyes of this god or that, then the peasant cannot complain. He must accept his muddy lot in life and revel in his misery, all in the knowledge that he serves the rightful king.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Ultimately, the claim goes to the strongest, does it not? In the final sort of things, I mean. He who remains alive, remains alive to write the histories in a light favorable to him and his cause. Surely as worldly as you are, you know well the histories of the world, Master Wingham. Surely you recognize that armies carrying banners are almost always thieves - until they win.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Those who rely on certainties are certain to be disappointed”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“The wealth always flowed uphill and into the hands of a few. It was the way of the world,”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“There are those who cannot see the stains on their souls. Some lack the capacity to look in the glass of introspection, perhaps, and others alter reality without and within. It”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“The point of self-reflection is, foremost, to clarify and to find honesty. Self-reflection is the way to throw self-lies out and face the truth—however painful it might be to admit that you were wrong. We seek consistency in ourselves, and so when we are faced with inconsistency, we struggle to deny. Denial has no place in self-reflection, and so it is incumbent upon a person to admit his errors, to embrace them and to move along in a more positive direction. We can fool ourselves for all sorts of reasons. Mostly for the sake of our ego, of course, but sometimes, I now understand, because we are afraid. For sometimes we are afraid to hope, because hope breeds expectation, and expectation can lead to disappointment. And”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Reality is a curious thing. Truth is not as solid and universal as any of us would like it to be; selfishness guides perception, and perception invites justification. The physical image in the mirror, if not pleasing, can be altered by the mere brush of fingers through hair. And so it is true that we can manipulate our own reality. We can persuade, even deceive. We can make others view us in dishonest ways. We can hide selfishness with charity, make a craving for acceptance into magnanimity, and amplify our smile to coerce a hesitant lover. The world is illusion, and often delusion, as victors write the histories and the children who die quietly under the stamp of a triumphant army never really existed. The robber baron becomes philanthropist in the final analysis, by bequeathing only that for which he had no more use. The king who sends young men and women to die becomes beneficent with the kiss of a baby. Every problem becomes a problem of perception to those who understand that reality, in reality, is what you make reality to be. This”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“He who remains alive, remains alive to write the histories in a light favorable to him and his cause.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“I measure my success in life by the added value my presence brought to those whom I loved, and who loved me.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Entreri snorted. “Prayers to a god who would allow priests, even a blessed voice proper, to steal the dignity of the women of their flock?” he asked. “Prayers to Selûne, whose priests fornicate with starving young girls? Do you believe that I would wish such prayers? Better to pray to Lady Lolth, who at least admits the truth of her vile clergy.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“destined to the dusty corners of forgotten history. That thought does not sadden me, for I measure my success in life by the added value my presence brought to those whom I loved, and who loved me. I am not suited for the fame of a king, or the grandiose reputation of a giant among men—like Elminster, who reshapes the world in ways that will affect generations yet to come.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“Farewell, Jarlaxle. Or fare ill. It matters not to me.”

“But I am your muse.”

“I don’t like the songs you inspire.”

Entreri turned his mount around, stepping to the stair.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch (The Sellswords, Book 3) Publisher: Wizards of the Coast

“Are you satisfied now, my friend?” Jarlaxle asked.

Entreri put his head down and forced himself to remain calm then turned around, his expression revealing his emptiness.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch (The Sellswords, Book 3) Publisher: Wizards of the Coast

“He stared at it for a long while, hating himself for having to so manipulate his friend yet again. That thought surprised the drow; when in his entire life had he ever felt such a twang? In his betrayal of Zaknafein those centuries before, perhaps? He looked at Entreri again, and he felt as if he was staring at his old drow companion.”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch (The Sellswords, Book 3) Publisher: Wizards of the Coast

“Some people will celebrate anything, Entreri mused. Even mediocrity”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch

“The person who values community will oft be deceived and destroyed by the knave whose heart lies in selfish ambitions. For”
― R.A. Salvatore, Road of the Patriarch