Fear was like poison to mortals; it killed their rationality. - N. K. Jemisin

I was beginning to understand, a little. “Is that why you’re a usurer?”
Madding chuckled. “I prefer the term investor. And my rates are perfectly fair, thank you.”
“Drug dealer, then.”
“I prefer the term independent apothecary—”

If they will not love me, fear is an acceptable substitute.

Nassun gasps. “That’s horrible!
I don’t bother to explain that just because something is horrible does not make it any less true.