When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.

You must put these dreams aside, they will only break your heart.

Ruling is hard. This was maybe my answer to Tolkien, whom, as much as I admire him, I do quibble with. Lord of the Rings had a very medieval philosophy: that if the king was a good man, the land would prosper. We look at real history and it's not that simple... Real-life kings had real-life problems to deal with... My people who are trying to rule don't have an easy time of it. Just having good intentions doesn't make you a wise king.

What was it Catelyn Stark had called them, that night at Bitterbridge? The knights of summer. And now it was autumn and they were falling like leaves.

All these kings would do a deal better if they would put down their swords and listen to their mothers.

Knowledge is a Weapon, Jon. Arm yourself well before you ride forth to Battle.

his snores sounded like ducks mating.