In time, you’ll come to understand that a state like ours cannot afford to offer up a show of weakness for honesty’s sake; Duke Nicovante charges me … - Scott Lynch

“What do you have to say to that?“
“Oh, very little, to be sure, Master Kosta. It’s so hard to think, overawed as I am with the sublime genius of your plan.“
“That bears some vague resemblance to sarcasm.“
“God forfend,“ said Jean. “You wound me! Your inexpressible criminal virtues have triumphed again, as inevitably as the tides come and go. I cast myself at your feet and beg for absolution. Yours is the genius that nourishes the heart of the world.“
“And now you’re—“
“If only there was a leper handy,“ interrupted Jean, "so you could lay your hands on and magically heal him.“

As for history, we are living in its ruins. And as for biographies, we are living with the consequences of all the decisions ever made in them. I tend not to read them for pleasure. It‘s not unlike carefully scrutinizing the map when one has already reached the destination.

Gods, all this maneuvering for moral advantage. You’d think we were married.