Scott Lynch Quotes

“Thank you very much, sir,” said Beth with nothing resembling actual gratitude.

The sun is up, and all that money out there won’t steal itself.

Most of us find it starkly ludicrous that the height of all possible ambition, to the ungifted, must be to drape oneself in crowns and robes.

We were sent here to learn from you!
You want a lesson, boy? If you find yourself being born, climb back in as quick as you can, because life's a bottomless feast of shit.

I have always found the presumptions of others to be the best possible disguise—haven’t you?

Is this man, ah, senile?
He's absolutely competent, she answered coldly.
I assure you I am, roared Cordo. Anger changed his countenance utterly. And I will not be put off from business by assassins in my own bedroom! Now, you will either kill me immediately or negotiate the price of my release!

Why the hell are you here?
A matter of conscience.
Really? said Locke. Yours? You keep alluding to its existence. Somehow I'm not convinced.

Hard lessons were handed out. As many men learned to their sorrow, it’s impossible to be intimidating when one angry woman has your cock between her teeth and another is holding a stiletto to your kidneys.

“We met five years ago.“ Jean scratched his beard. “On a sea voyage. We became business partners out of sheer boredom. Since then we‘ve been inseparable.“
“Except that my plan calls for me to be plotting your death.“
“Yes, but I don‘t know that, do I? Boon companion! I suspect nothing.“
“Chump! I can hardly wait to see you get yours!“

I’m sure we can communicate. I speak fluent hatchet.

Time went by with all the speed of a sleepless night.

Nikoros, your job this afternoon is to say yes to anything that comes out of my mouth. The more you rehearse this, the sooner it'll become a smooth mechanical process allowing no time for painful reflection. Can you practice for me?
Yes.
You're a natural.

Government affairs are a bit beyond our experience, said Jean.
Nonsense. You'll feel right at home. What is government but theft by consent? You'll be moving in a society of kindred spirits.

Damn it, when will you learn that refusing to admit you’ve lost isn’t the same as winning?

Only gods-damned fools die for lines drawn on maps.