Altruism accrues little benefit to those lying cold in the gutter.

My dear dead mother wanted me to go into an honorable trade, like grave robbing. Would I listen? No. Be an assassin, like your uncle Gustav, she said. Would I pay heed? No. Apprentice to the Necromancer―

More men have been defeated by reports than all the steel of all the swords in history.

Don't assume the world evolved in the order in which you discovered it.

If you're going to risk dying, there's no sense doing it wet, cold and hungry unless absolutely necessary.

Old habits are hard to forget, and old fears are habits.

Writing is hard work; its also the best job Ive ever had.