All men are fools, if truth be told, but the ones in motley are more amusing than ones with crowns.
George R. R. MartinTolkien can say that Aragorn became king and reigned for a hundred years, and he was wise and good. But Tolkien doesnโt ask the question: What was Aragornโs tax policy? Did he maintain a standing army? What did he do in times of flood and famine? And what about all these orcs? By the end of the war, Sauron is gone but all of the orcs arenโt gone โ theyโre in the mountains. Did Aragorn pursue a policy of systematic genocide and kill them? Even the little baby orcs, in their little orc cradles?
George R. R. MartinNobody likes cravens,โ he said uncomfortably. โI wish we hadnโt helped him. What if they think weโre craven too?โ "You're too stupid to be craven,โ Pyp told him. โI am not,โ Grenn said. โYes you are. If a bear attacked you in the woods, youโd be too stupid to run away.โ โI would not,โ Grenn insisted. โIโd run away faster than you.โ He stopped suddenly, scowling when he saw Pypโs grin and realized what heโd just said.
George R. R. MartinTrue knights protect the weak.โ He snorted. โThere are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you canโt protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, donโt ever believe any different.โ Sansa backed away from him. โYouโre awful.โ โIโm honest. Itโs the world thatโs awful.
George R. R. Martin