# Quote — Brandon Sanderson, Elantris

> “I do, however, wonder why you preach hatred of the Atlantans when you yourself simply pity them.”
>
> Hrathen didn’t respond immediately, tapping his gauntleted finger against the stone parapet with a repetitive click. “It’s not so hard, once you accustom yourself to it,” he finally said. “A man can force himself to hate if he wishes, especially if he convinces himself that it is for a higher good.”

- Author: [Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md)
- Book: [Elantris](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris.md)
- Page: 286
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson#Elantris_(2005)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/i-do-however

## More from this book

> They needed to work and improve their own lives, not wait for some external miracle.

p. 402 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/they-needed-to-work.md)

> You will find that hate can unify people more quickly and more fervently than devotion ever could.

p. 89 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/you-will-find.md)

> “Eventually I found the best source of information to be the soldiers with guard the city walls.”
>
> “I’ve heard of them,” Sarene said, looking over her clothing. “They’re supposed to be the most elite fighting group in Arelon.”
>
> “And they are very quick to tell you so, my lady,” Ashe said. “I doubt many of them would know what to do in a battle, though they seem quite proficient at cards and drinking. They tend to keep their uniforms well pressed, however.”

p. 186 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/eventually-i-found.md)