β
... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Bran thought about it. 'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'
'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his father told him.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Fear cuts deeper than swords.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Winter is coming.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, 5-Book Boxed Set: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons (Song of Ice & Fire 1-5))
β
When you play a game of thrones you win or you die.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The things we love destroy us every time, lad. Remember that.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Why is it that when one man builds a wall, the next man immediately needs to know what's on the other side?
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Once youβve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
And I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples and bastards and broken things.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms . . . or the memory of a brother's smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
If I look back I am lost.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Nothing burns like the cold.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Laughter is poison to fear.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
What do we say to the Lord of Death?'
'Not today.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Every flight begins with a fall.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer and I have my mind...and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge. That's why I read so much Jon Snow.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Life is not a song, sweetling.
Someday you may learn that, to your sorrow.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Give me honorable enemies rather than ambitious ones, and I'll sleep more easily by night.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
There are no heroes...in life, the monsters win.
β
β
George R.R. Martin
β
Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The man who fears losing has already lost.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A bruise is a lesson... and each lesson makes us better.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The things I do for love.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you...
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of sheep.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
I swear to you, sitting a throne is a thousand times harder than winning one.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Oh, my sweet summer child," Old Nan said quietly, "what do you know of fear?
Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet
deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north. Fear is for the long
night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time, and little children
are born and live and die all in darkness while the direwolves grow gaunt and
hungry, and the white walkers move through the woods
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends," Ser Jorah told her. "It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace." He gave a shrug. "They never are.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
...the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword."
"...a ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Donβt call me Lord Snow.β
The dwarf lifted an eyebrow. βWould you rather be called the Imp? Let them see that their words can cut you and youβll never be free of the mockery. If they want to give you a name take it make it your own. Then they canβt hurt you with it anymore.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
If a man paints a target on his chest, he should expect that sooner or later someone will loose an arrow on him.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
...How would you like to die, Tyrion son of Tywin?"
"In my own bed, with a belly full of wine and a maiden's mouth around my cock, at the age of eighty," he replied.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
You wear your honor like a suit of armor... You think it keeps you safe, but all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature. -- Lyanna
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
He won every game, yet she hardly noticed. As long as she hit the ball, it resulted in shameless bragging. When she missed - well, even the fires of Hell couldn't compare to the rage that burst from her mouth. He couldn't remember a time when he'd laugh so hard.
β
β
Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1))
β
The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
She had put despair and fear aside, as if they were garments she did not choose to wear.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
You can't hammer tin into iron, no matter how hard you beat it, but that doesn't mean it's useless.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
I take no joy in mead nor meat, and song and laughter have become suspicious strangers to me. I am a creature of grief and dust and bitter longings. There is an empty place within me where my heart was once.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A Lannister always pays his debts.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east," she said sadly. "When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When my womb quickens again, and I bear a living child. Then you will return, my sun-and-stars, and not before." -Daenerys Targaryen
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
All that Syrio Forel had taught her went racing through her head. Swift as a deer. Quiet as shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Strong as a bear. Fierce as a wolverine. Fear cuts deeper than swords. The man who fears losing has already lost. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Noseless and Handless, the Lannister Boys.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3))
β
A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That is why I read so much.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A craven can be as brave as any man, when there is nothing to fear. And we all do our duty, when there is no cost to it. How easy it seems then, to walk the path of honor. Yet soon or late in every man's life comes a day when it is not easy, a day when he must choose. (Maester Aemon)
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A true man does what he will, not what he must.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The world was full of cravens who pretended to be heroes; it took a queer sort of courage to admit to cowardice...
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
You are your mother's trueborn son of Lannister."
"Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he's never been sure."
"I don't even know who my mother was," Jon said.
"Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." He favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs."
And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune.
When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Love is the bane of honor, the death of duty. What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms ... or the memory of a brother's smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Opening your eyes is all that is needing. The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true. Look with your eyes. Hear with your ears. Taste with your mouth. Smell with your nose. Feel with your skin. Then comes the thinking, afterward, and in that way knowing the truth.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
It was queer how sometimes a child's innocent eyes can see things that grown men are blind to.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The great thing about reading is that it broadens your life
β
β
George R.R. Martin
β
He was no dragon, Dany thought, curiously calm. Fire cannot kill a dragon
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A man who won't listen can't hear.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Is it so far from madness to wisdom?"
- Daenerys Targaryen
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1))
β
The High Septon once told me that as we sin, so do we suffer. If thatβs true, Lord Eddard, tell meβ¦ why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Minds are like swords, I do fear. The old ones go to rust.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Some truths did not bear saying, and some lies were necessary.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
All dwarfs may be bastards yet not all bastards are dwarfs.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Let them see that their words can cut you and youβll never be free of the mockery. If they want to give you a name, take it, make it your own. Then they canβt hurt you with it anymore.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. Remember that, Sansa, when you come to play the game.β
βWhat . . . what game?β
βThe only game. The game of thrones.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3))
β
I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mindβ¦ and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. Thatβs why I read so much, Jon Snow.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
I am surrounded by flatterers and fools. It can drive a man to madness,.. . Half of them donβt dare tell me the truth, and the other half canβt find it.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
You must put these dreams aside, they will only break your heart.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
And who are you, the proud Lord said
that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat,
that's all the truth I know.
In a coat of gold or a coat of red,
a lion still has claws.
And, mine are as long and sharp, my Lord
as long and sharp as yours.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that Lord of Castamere,
but now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with no one there to hear.
Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3))
β
Nothing burns like the cold. But only for a while. Then it gets inside you and starts to fill you up, and after a while you don't have the strength to fight it.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Tyrion shrugged. βWe all need to be mocked from time to time Lord Mormont lest we start to take ourselves too seriously.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Be careful you don't cut yourself. The edges are sharp enough to shave with.'
'Girls don't shave', Arya said.
'Maybe they should. Have you ever seen the septa's legs?
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
They say it grows so cold up here in winter that a manβs laughter freezes in his throat and chokes him to death,β Ned said evenly. βPerhaps that is why the Starks have so little humor.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Sometimes you have to lose a piece to win a game.
β
β
Rick Riordan (The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles, #2))
β
She had never loved him so much as she did in that instant.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
The North remembers.
β
β
George R.R. Martin
β
Only a man who's been burned knows what hell is truly like.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
She could not bear to look at him just now. If she did, she might well slap him again. Or cry. Or kiss him. And never know which was right and which was wrong and which was madness.
β
β
George R.R. Martin
β
Once she had loved Prince Joffrey with all her heart, and admired and trusted her his mother, the queen. They had repaid that love and trust with her father's head. Sansa would never make that mistake again.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2))
β
Tears aren't a woman's only weapon.
β
β
George R.R. Martin
β
Now that number was gone, covered up by the jet-black image of a chess piece. Neil's knowledge of chess was hazy at best, but he knew for sure that wasn't a king. "You did it," Neil said, too stunned to manage anything else. "Let Riko be King," Kevin said, with the exaggerated enunciation of the thoroughly sloshed. "Most coveted, most protected. He'll sacrifice every piece he has to protect his throne. Whatever. Me?" Kevin gestured again, meaning to indicate himself but too drunk to get his hand higher than his waist. "I'm going to be the deadliest piece on the board." "Queen," Andrew said somewhere behind Neil.
β
β
Nora Sakavic (The King's Men (All for the Game, #3))
β
Jon:'What are you doing up there? Why aren't you at the feast?'
Tyrion: 'Too hot, too noisy, and I'd drunk too much wine', the dwarf told him. 'I learned long ago that it is considered rude to vomit on your brother.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
As Daenerys Targaryen rose to her feet, her black hissed, pale smoke venting from its mouth and nostrils. The other two pulled away from her breasts and added their voices to the call, translucent wings unfolding and stirring the air, and for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
Go Ahead, call me all the names you want," Sansa said airily. "You won't dare when I'm married to Joffrey. You'll have to bow and call me Your Grace." She shrieked as Arya flung the orange across the table. It caught her in the middle of the forehead with a wet squish and plopped down into her lap.
"You have juice on your face, Your Grace ," Arya said.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister.
βPride?β Catelyn snapped. His mocking tone and easy manner made her angry. βArrogance, some might call it. Arrogance and avarice and lust for power.β
βMy brother is undoubtedly arrogant,β Tyrion Lannister replied. βMy father is the soul of avarice, and my sweet sister Cersei lusts for power with every waking breath. I, however, am innocent as a little lamb. Shall I bleat for you?β He grinned.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
I can't believe you've been here all day and didn't come visit. ", Tatiana said.
"Aw, I figured you had more important things to do than see me, " Adrian told her. "Besides, I quit smoking, so now we won't be able to go sneak cigarettes out behind the throne room together. "
"Adrian!" chastised Nathan, turning bright red. It occurred to me then that I could have based a drinking game around how many times he exclaimed his son's name disapprovingly.
β
β
Richelle Mead (Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5))
β
The Bear and the Maiden Fair
A bear there was, a bear, a bear!
All black and brown, and covered with hair!
The bear! The bear!
Oh, come, they said, oh come to the fair!
The fair? Said he, but I'm a bear!
All black, and brown, and covered with hair!
And Down the road from here to there.
From here! To There!
Three boys, a goat, and a dancing bear!
[He] danced and spun, all the way to the Fair!
The Fair! The Fair!
[...]
Oh, sweet she was, and pure, and fair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
Her hair! Her hair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
[The bear,] smelled the scent on the summer air.
The bear! The bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair.
He smelled the scent on the summer air!
He sniffed and roared and smelled it there!
Honey on the summer air!
Oh, I'm a maid, and I'm pure and fair!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
A bear! A bear!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
He lifted her high into the air!
The bear! The bear!
I called for a knight, but you're a bear!
A bear! A bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair!
She kicked and wailed, the maid so fair,
But he licked the honey from her hair,
Her hair! Her hair!
Then she sighed and squealed and kicked the air!
My bear! She sang. My bear so fair!
And off they went, from here to there,
The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair.
~"The Bear and the Maiden Fair",
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))
β
βYou're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?β
Jon felt a coldness pass right through him. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
βDid I offend you?β Lannister said. βSorry. Dwarfs don't have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right to dress badly and say any damn thing that comes into my head.β He grinned. βYou are the bastard, though.β
βLord Eddard Stark is my father,β Jon admitted stiffly.
Lannister studied his face. βYes,β he said. βI can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers.β
βHalf brothers,β Jon corrected. He was pleased by the dwarf's comment, but he tried not to let it show.
βLet me give you some counsel, bastard,β Lannister said. βNever forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strenght. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.β
Jon was in no mood for anyone's counsel. βWhat do you know about being a bastard?β
βAll dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes.β
βYou are your mother's trueborn son of Lannister.β
βAm I?β the dwarf replied, sardonic. βDo tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he's never been sure.β
βI don't even know who my mother was,β Jon said.
βSome woman, no doubt. Most of them are.β He favored Jon with a rueful grin. βRemember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs.β And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.
β
β
George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))