We have a saying where I come from: Power requires neither permission nor forgiveness. — Ann Leckie

What, after all, was the point of civilization if not the well-being of citizens?

Without feelings insignificant decisions become excruciating attempts to compare endless arrays of inconsequential things. It’s just easier to handle those with emotions.

It’s easy to say that if you were there you would have refused, that you would rather die than participate in the slaughter, but it all looks very different when it’s real, when the moment comes to choose.