Oh, I think not,” Varys said, swirling the wine in his cup. “Power is a curious thing, my lord. Perchance you have considered the riddle I posed you that day in the inn?” “It has crossed my mind a time or two,” Tyrion admitted. “The king, the priest, the rich man—who lives and who dies? Who will the swordsman obey? It’s a riddle without an answer, or rather, too many answers. All depends on the man with the sword.” “And yet he is no one,” Varys said. “He has neither crown nor gold nor favor of the gods, only a piece of pointed steel.” “That piece of steel is the power of life and death.” “Just so… yet if it is the swordsmen who rule us in truth, who do we pretend our kings hold the power? Why should a strong man with a sword ever obey a child king like Joffrey, or a wine-sodden oaf like his father?” “Because these child kings and drunken oafs can call other strong men, with other swords.” “Then these other swordsmen have the true power. Or do they?” Varys smiled. “Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power comes from the gods. Others say it derives from law. Yet that day on the steps of Baelor’s Sept, our godly High Septon and the lawful Queen Regent and your ever-so-knowledgeable servant were as powerless as any cobbler or cooper in the crowd. Who truly killed Eddard Stark, do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or… another?” Tyrion cocked his head sideways. “Did you mean to answer your damned riddle, or only to make my head ache worse?” Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.
George R.R. Martin
Related I like to open for a band as it brings on sort of a challenge and it makes things more interesting. ... KELLY JONES Power resides only where men believe it resides. [...] A shadow on the wall, yet shadows can kill. A... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN She has the blood of a wolf,” said Joffrey. “And you have the wits of a goose,” said Tyri... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Tyrion let the eunuch help him mount. "Lord Varys," he said from the saddle, "sometimes I feel as th... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN You deserve to be with somebody, who knows you're the one, from that very first moment he lays eyes ... C. JOYBELL C. Empathy is the new measurement of everything. It doesn't matter what religion you have, what God you... C. JOYBELL C. I confess, I do not understand what there is in her to make a clever man like you act such a fool.�... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Once upon a time there was a young prince who believed in all things but three. He did not believe i... JOHN FOWLES Were you there?” She shook her head. “No. I was here in Nain having a child.” �... FRANCINE RIVERS And recite to them the news of Abraham When he said to his father and his people: What do you ... QURAN A man worth being with is one… That never lies to you Is kind to people that have ... SHANNON L. ALDER He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child. Its bones are soft, its muscles... LAO TZU In a world in which the common rule which binds and regulates what the general masses feel is underm... ERNEST AGYEMANG YEBOAH What is MONEY? a piece of PAPER, a chunk of METAL or just some bits and bytes. It’s been call... HARMON OKINYO Love is Not All Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink Nor slumber nor a r... EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY And who are you, the proud Lord said that I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different co... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Tell me something. Do you believe in God?' Snow darted an apprehensive glance in my direc... STANISłAW LEM I watched them tearing a building down, A gang of men in a busy town. With a ho-heave-ho a... EDGAR A. GUEST Do not believe that you alone can be right. The man who thinks that, The man who maintains... SOPHOCLES Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid (as we're inclined to do), I do not need a handsome man RUTH BELL GRAHAM You are your mother's trueborn son of Lannister." "Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "D... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN It's a fact—everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepes... VERA NAZARIAN Not a believer in the mosque am I, Nor a disbeliever with his rites am I. I am not the pur... BULLEH SHAH „You're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?“ Jon felt a coldness pass right through him. He pr... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow- Yo... EDGAR ALLAN POE WHAT IS TRUTH? Truth is not a thing Or a concept. It is as multidimensional SUZY KASSEM Roo: What’s your definition of popularity? Hutch: I used to think people were popular b... E. LOCKHART We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister. “Pride?” Catelyn snapp... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN I am Shiloh, whose box you stole. Your godmother's sickness lies in your own keeping, you can heal h... A.E. COPPARD Not that I have the power to clutch my hand When his fair angels would salute by palm, But for... WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE There is much asked and only so much I think I can or should answer, and so, in this post I would li... LIBBA BRAY But what I would like to know," says Albert, "is whether there would not have been a war if th... ERICH MARIA REMARQUE — This world is full of trouble, umfundisi. — Who knows it better? — Yet you believ... ALAN PATON Thus Epicurus also, when he designs to destroy the natural fellowship of mankind, at the same time m... EPICTETUS A Woman's Question Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing Ever made by t... JOSHUA HARRIS Malcolm: A karate master does not kill people with his bare hands. He does not lose his temper and k... MICHAEL CRICHTON I want you to tell me about every person you’ve ever been in love with. Tell me why you loved... ANDREA GIBSON It has often been said there’s so much to be read, you never can cram all those wor... DR. SEUSS ... so this is for us. This is for us who sing, write, dance, act, study, run and love and... CHARLOTTE ERIKSSON THERE was a man in our town, and he was wondrous rich; He gave away his millions to the colleges... FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS A Dream Within A Dream Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you... EDGAR ALLAN POE Dad!" Jesus yelled. "Yes, son," God said. "That star's light just went out," Jesus told hi... ANTHONY T. HINCKS So what I want to know is why it is that I can no longer find you, in my mind. You are still there, ... NEIL GAIMAN Was that me? Yes it was. Was that him? No it wasn't.. Just a trick of the woods! Just ... STEPHEN SONDHEIM Devereaux is going with our pitch.” “Hey, that’s just great,” I said superperkily. “W... MARIAN KEYES ...he asked, "Where are you today, right now?" Eagerly, I started talking about myself. However... DAN MILLMAN I would not hurt you, little man,' he said. 'I think that I got the disorder in Mullingar... FLANN O'BRIEN Buckley followed the three of them into the kitchen and asked, as he had at least once a day, “Whe... ALICE SEBOLD I am who I say I am, I'm not some fantasy of how you think you think you know or who ... JAMES HOWE CAUSE AND EFFECT You can give a man who has never given you a good word, Volumes of ... SUZY KASSEM The city?" Tyrion was lost. "What city would that be?" "King's Landing. I am sending you to cou... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Because like the depths of the ocean that calls you home, you will never be easy. But dar... JEANETTE LEBLANC Do you really want to know why you lost?” I asked. “Do you really have an answer?” he cou... MARIA V. SNYDER Sonnet XVII I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz, or the arrow of ca... PABLO NERUDA Pale were your looks; and the rose in your tresses Paler of hue than the dreams we have lost; ... MADISON CAWEIN Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow-- You are no... EDGAR ALLAN POE If you think you are beaten, you are If you think you dare not, you don't, If you like to ... WALTER D. WINTLE If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If ... RUDYARD KIPLING Dear Deborah, Words do not come easily for so many men. We are taught to be strong, to... LISA WINGATE In your novels do you lie deliberately or just out of ignorance?" Laughter. A murmur of a... JOSé EDUARDO AGUALUSA Something Vimes had learned as a young guard drifted up from memory. If you have to look alon... TERRY PRATCHETT Glossa Time goes by, time comes along, All is old and all is new; What is righ... MIHAI EMINESCU You told me you believed marriage was for other people." "You're the only man who could m... LISA KLEYPAS For strangely graven Is the orb of life, that one and another In gold and power may outp... EURIPIDES A great future starts with what you can see SOTONYE ANGA You must save what you can of your life; you musn't lose it all simply because you've lost a part. HENRY JAMES If you think you're beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't; If you'd like to w... WALTER D. WINTLE I have a serious question." "I will give a serious answer." "Can a god be kill... ILONA ANDREWS Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter... OSCAR WILDE A mighty monarch in the days of old Made offer of high honour, wealth and gold, To one who sho... ELLA WHEELER WILCOX THE THREE LAWS OF ALL You are never to worship a living soul, Except for three entit... SUZY KASSEM But… all I said was that I was scared." After what you got to experience? That's smart... JIM BUTCHER Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter." Annabeth squeezed my arm, then walked forward... RICK RIORDAN Dad?" Jesus asked. "Yes, son?" God replied. "Do we look like man or does he look like us?"... ANTHONY T. HINCKS Here's the thing, say Shug. The thing I believe. God is inside you and inside everybody else. You co... ALICE WALKER Remember, the people who know me are the ones who are free to live and love without any agenda." WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG The power of man;Man does not only have the power to accomplish great & unbelievable things in life,... DAVID ATTA (A.K.A DAVIED ATTLARS & MR DAIN) The Type Everyone needs a place. It shouldn't be inside of someone else. -Richard Siken SARAH KAY Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the... RALPH WALDO EMERSON Life is a valuable and unique opportunity to discover who you are. But it seems as soon as... RICHELLE E. GOODRICH Come here, let me share a bit of wisdom with you. Have you given much thought to our mortal con... ANNE CARSON On Pleasure Pleasure is a freedom-song, But it is not freedom. It is the... KAHLIL GIBRAN Silent companions of the lonely hour, Friends, who can never alter or forsake, Who for inconst... CAROLINE NORTON In Truth,” I said, “there are no rules other than you have to tell the truth.” “How do ... SARAH DESSEN Constantly risking absurdity and death whenever he performs above the heads of ... LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI In battle or business, whatever the game, In law or in love, it is ever the same; In the str... JOHN GODFREY SAXE There is still one of which you never speak.' Marco Polo bowed his head. 'Veni... ITALO CALVINO No sight so sad as that of a naughty child," he began, "especially a naughty little girl. Do you kno... CHARLOTTE BRONTë His life seemed like a deck of cards, and in the midst of all those two’s and three’s someone ha... TEKOA MANNING DADDY You do not do, you do not do Any more, black shoe In which I have lived l... SYLVIA PLATH Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you... HENRY SCOTT HOLLAND Every group of friends has that one experience that, no matter where you are you carry it with you f... DR. KARAN M PAI If there were a sympathy in choice, War, death, or sickness, did lay siege to it, Making i... WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE The season was waning fast Our nights were growing cold at last I took her to bed with sil... ROMAN PAYNE Money is not respect. Neither is power. And if people respect you for your money or your power, it i... CHRISTINA ENGELA Gus, do I have to put you in a cage or something? Because I will! Don't push it, mister!" KRISTAN HIGGINS All right," said Susan. "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need... fantasies to make life ... TERRY PRATCHETT Titus, have you ever had your heart broken?” “Oh, son. How could you ask a man who us... ZACK LOVE I think of you often and make no outward show, But what it means to lose you, no one will ... ANON. Can I just point something out?" Fletcher asked. "That is an awful plan. On a scale of one ... DEREK LANDY
More George R.R. Martin
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MARTIN As Daenerys Targaryen rose to her feet, her black hissed, pale smoke venting from its mouth and nost... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A sword needs a sheath, heh, and a wedding needs a bedding. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN My sister has mistaken me for a mushroom. She keeps me in the dark and feeds me shit. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A man can make do with seven fingers. Seven is a sacred number. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN What sort of gods make rats and plagues and dwarfs? GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." He favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on pa... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Aemon’s blind white eyes came open. “Egg?” he said, as the rain streamed down his cheeks. “E... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in ... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Why do the Gods make kings and queens if not to protect the ones who can't protect themselves? GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Shattered legs may heal in time, but some betrayals fester and poison the soul. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of sheep. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN He has hands like two white spiders. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN He has an old man's caution and a young man's ambition, and has never lacked for cunning. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A son for a son, heh. But that's a grandson...and he never was much use." --Walder Frey GEORGE R.R. MARTIN But my philosophy is that plot advancement is not what the experience of reading fiction is about. I... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Some writers enjoy writing, I am told. Not me. I enjoy having written. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Plots within plots, but all roads lead down the dragon’s gullet. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Sorcery was a sword without a hilt. There is no sfe way to grasp it. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Sorcery was a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Sorcery is a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Is that gallantry I smell, or just stupidity? The two scents are much alike, as I recall. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN In King's Landing there are two sorts of people; the players and the pieces. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN All the color had been leached from Winterfell until only grey and white remained. The Stark colo... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Just as you grieve if a friend is killed, you should grieve if a fictional character is killed. You ... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN There is a savage beast in every man, and when you hand that man a sword or spear and send him forth... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The ground was so far below him, he could barely make it out through the grey mists that whirled aro... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN It takes courage to admit fear. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Be careful you don't cut yourself. The edges are sharp enough to shave with.' 'Girls don't shav... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Some men think because they're afraid to do . GEORGE R.R. MARTIN You cannot tame a dragon with a history lesson. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Harsh justice is still justice. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Never forget what you are the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour and it can never be us... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A man can own a woman or a man can own a knife, but no man can own both. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister. “Pride?” Catelyn snapp... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Do you think it will truly come to battle between them? If they should come to some accord—” GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Yours was the hand that threw him. You meant for him to die.” His chains chinked softly. “I... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN I value my privacy, and if sometimes my actions seem strange or arbitrary or capricious, I do not wa... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN I am Thunder and Thunder is me, we are one beast, we are joined, we are one. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Control your generosity when dealing with a chronic borrower. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The living have no place at the feasts of the dead. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN I love the juice but I loathe sticky fingers. Clean hands, Sansa. Whatever you do, make certain your... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN A harp can be a dangerous as a sword, in the right hands. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN No man is accursed as the kinslayer. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The kinslayer is accursed in the eyes of gods and men, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN It is too late for ifs, and too late for rescues,” Catelyn said. “All that remains is vengeance. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Wolves never cry. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN They held each other close and turned their backs upon the end. The hills that split asunder an... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The watcher on the walls. The sword in the darkness. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Why won't they let me be? I just need to rest, that's all, to rest and sleep some, and maybe die a l... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN It was queer how sometimes a child's innocent eyes can see things that grown men are blind to. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN He drew the dagger and laid it on the table between them; a length of dragonbone and Valyrian steel,... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Of all the bright cruel lies they tell you, the cruelest is the one called love. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Sometimes the storm winds blow so strong a man has no choice but to furl his sails. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Jon:'What are you doing up there? Why aren't you at the feast?' Tyrion: 'Too hot, too noisy, an... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN and take the ironmen in the rear while they are beating off what they think is my main thrust up the... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Bad and worse and worst makes a beggar's choice. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Oh, yes. Choosing... it has always hurt. And always will. I know. -Maester Aemon Targaryen, A G... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Her name is Brienne," Jaime said. "Brienne, the maid of Tarth. You are still maiden, I hope?"... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Better to live shamed than die proud. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN The crow commands, the captive must obey. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN I am alive, and drunk on sunlight. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Some allies are more dangerous than enemies. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN My enemies are legion. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN How can you still count yourself a knight, when you have forsaken every vow you ever swore?" <... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN You are Arya of Winterfell, daughter of the North. You told me you could be strong. You have the wol... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Politicians were mostly people who'd had too little morals and ethics to stay lawyers. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work ag... GEORGE R.R. MARTIN Fat men take a cushion with them wherever they go. GEORGE R.R. MARTIN