# A Clash of Kings - Author: [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) - Quotes: 181 - Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings ## Quotes > You should have learned by now, none of us get the things we want. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/you-should-have.md) > He should thank the gods that Ser Rodrik was not ironborn. The men of the green lands were made of softer stuff, though he was not certain they would prove soft enough. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/he-should-thank.md) > Knights may keep their truces when dealing with other knights, but they are not so careful of their honor when dealing with those whom they deem outlaw. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/knights-may-keep.md) > The Dothraki distrusted the sea and all that moved upon it. Water that a horse could not drink was water they wanted no part of. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-dothraki-distrusted.md) > The Bastard's backhand caught him square, and his cheekbone shattered with a sickening crunch beneath the lobstered steel. The world vanished in a red roar of pain. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-bastards-backhand.md) > If I die, I die friendless and abandoned. What choice did that leave him, but to live? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-i-die.md) > Sansa had not heard of Littlefinger doing anything particularly heroic during the battle, but it seemed he was to be rewarded all the same. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sansa-had-not.md) > "Our honor means no more than our lives, so long as the realm is safe. Are you a man of the Night's Watch?" > > "Yes, but–" > > "There is no but. You are, or you are not." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/our-honor-means.md) > Dany found her thoughts returning to the Palace of Dust, one more, as the tongue returns to a space left by a missing tooth. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/dany-found-her.md) > I went to the warlocks hoping for answers, but instead they've left me with a hundred new questions. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-went-to-the.md) > His wits were coming back to him, however slowly. That was good. His wits were all he had. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/his-wits-were.md) > As shy as a maid on her wedding night, and near as fair. Sometimes a man forgets how pretty a fire can be. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/as-shy-as-a-maid.md) > Hush, now, child, I'm much older than you. I can ... die as a I please." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/hush-now-child.md) > Strange times are bad for trade. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/strange-times-are.md) > If you want my bones, come get them. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-you-want.md) > I am trying to set a price on one of the three living dragons in the world ... It seems to me that one-third of all the ships in the world would be fair. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-am-trying.md) > When he slept, he did not dream, not of wolves, nor his brothers, nor anything. Even dreams cannot live up here, he told himself. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-he-slept.md) > "Ser Rodrik had you five-to-one." > > "Aye, but he thought us friends. A common mistake." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/ser-rodrik-had.md) > A small spoon of victory is just the thing to settle the stomach before battle. It makes the men hungry for a larger helping. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-small-spoon.md) > Why else do we don these black cloaks, but to die in defense of the realm? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/why-else-do-we-don.md) > The rite seemed to require that everyone stand, so Tyrion saw nothing but a row of courtly arses. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-rite-seemed.md) > “What will you do when he crosses?” > > “Fight. Kill. Die, maybe.” > > “Aren’t you afraid? The gods might send you down to some terrible hell for all the evil you've done.” > > “What evil?” He laughed. “What gods?” > > “The gods who made us all.” > > “All?” he mocked. “Tell me, little bird, what kind of god makes a monster like the Imp, or a halfwit like Lady Tanda’s daughter? If there are gods, they made sheep so wolves could eat mutton, and they made the weak for the strong to play with.” > > “True knights protect the weak.” > > He snorted. “There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can’t protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don’t ever believe any different.” > > Sansa backed away from him. “You're awful.” > > “I'm honest. It’s the world that’s awful.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/what-will-you.md) > For men the answer was always the same, and never farther away than the nearest sword. For a woman, a mother, the answer was stonier and harder. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/for-men-the.md) > I believe in steel swords, gold coins and men's wits. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-believe-in-steel.md) > "One day I may make you a lord, smuggler. If only to irk Celtigar and Florent. You will not thank me, though. It will mean you must suffer through these councils, and feign interest in the braying of mules." > > "Why do you have them, if they serve no purpose?" > > "The mules love the sound of their own braying, why else?" [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/one-day-i-may.md) > Dead men walk and the trees have eyes again. Why should we balk at wargs and giants? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/dead-men-walk.md) > At sea, heavy steel was as like to cost a man his life as to save it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/at-sea-heavy.md) > The southern sky was aswirl with glowing, shifting colors, the reflection of the great fires that burned below. Baleful green tides moved against the bellies of the clouds, and pools of orange light spread across the heavens. The reds and yellows of common flame warred against the emeralds and jades of wildfire, each color flaring and then fading, birthing armies of short-lived shadows to die again an instant later. Green dawns gave way to orange dusks in half a heartbeat. The air itself smelt burnt, the way a soup kettle sometimes smelled if it were left on the fire too long and all the soup boiled away. Embers drifted through the night air like swarms of fireflies. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-southern-sky.md) > My most trusted advisors are a eunuch and a sellsword, and my lady's a whore. What does that say about me? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/my-most-trusted.md) > Mercy, thought Theon as Luwin dropped back. There's a bloody trap. Too much and they call you weak, too little and you're monstrous ... His father thought only in terms of conquest, but what good was it to take a kingdom if you could not hold it? Force and fear could only carry you so far. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/mercy-thought-theon.md) > When it comes to swords, a queen is only a woman after all. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-it-comes.md) > Two hundred men were not an army, but you didn't need thousands to hold a castle as strong as Winterfell. So long as they knew which end of a spear did the killing, they might make all the difference. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/two-hundred-men.md) > One skull looks much like another ... [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/one-skull-looks.md) > After the madness of battle, soldiers often seem to want flesh more than coin. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/after-the-madness.md) > Children are a battle of a different sort ... A battle without banners or warhorns, but no less fierce ... As hard as birth can be, what comes after is even harder. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/children-are-a-battle.md) > The battle fever. He had never thought to experience it himself, though Jaime had told him of it often enough. How time seemed to blur and slow and even stop, how the past and the future vanished until there was nothing but the instant, how fear fled, and thought fled, and even your body. "You don't feel your wounds then, or the ache in your back from the weight of the armor, or the sweat running down into your eyes. You stop feeling, you stop thinking, you stop being you, there is only the fight, the foe, this man and then the next and the next and the next, and you know they are afraid and tired but you're not, you're alive, and death is all around you but their swords move so slowly, you can dance through them laughing." Battle fever. I am half a man and drunk with slaughter, let them kill me if they can! [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-battle-fever.md) > A dog doesn't need courage to chase off rats ... What do you think a knight is for, girl? You think it's all taking favors from ladies and looking fine in gold plate? Knights are for killing. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-dog-doesnt.md) > Bronn had a score of sellswords scattered throughout the crowd with orders to stop any trouble before it started. Perhaps Cersei had similarly disposed her Kettleblacks. Somehow Tyrion did not think it would help much. If the fire was too hot, you could hardly keep the pudding from scorching by tossing a handful of raisins in the pot. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/bronn-had-a-score.md) > I will say, I think it passing odd that I am loved by one for a kindness I never did, and reviled by so many for my finest act. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-will-say.md) > Sansa, permit me to share a bit of womanly wisdom with you on this very special day. Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sansa-permit-me-to-share.md) > Well, let her enjoy her plots. She was much sweeter when she thought she was outwitting him. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/well-let-her.md) > In formal battle, discipline is more important than courage. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/in-formal-battle.md) > Shadows are friends to men in black. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/shadows-are-friends.md) > I have become the most splendid beggar in the world, but a beggar all the same. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-have-become.md) > The mountain is your mother ... Cling to her, press her face up against your teats, and she won't drop you. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-mountain-is-your.md) > Surrounded by a circle of Velaryon spearmen, they fought back to back, they made battle as graceful as a dance. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/surrounded-by-a-circle.md) > Listen with your ears, not your mouth. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/listen-with-your.md) > Every man who's tasted my cooking has told me what a good whore I am. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/every-man-whos.md) > The gods don't care about men, no more than kings care about peasants. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-gods-dont.md) > Her whole life had been one long flight, it seemed. She had begun running in her mother's womb. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/her-whole-life.md) > So many vows . . . they make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It's too much. No matter what you do, you’re forsaking one vow or the other. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/so-many-vows.md) > When I was smuggling, I learned that some men believe everything, and some nothing. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-i-was.md) > Tomorrow's trials concerned her more than yesterday's triumphs. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/tomorrows-trials-concerned.md) > Whether they believe the story or not, they delight to tell it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/whether-they-believe.md) > It is better to be seen as cruel than foolish. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/it-is-better.md) > There are no men like me. There’s only me. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/there-are-no-men.md) > Smugglers do not sound warhorns and raise banners. When they smell danger, they raise sail and run before the wind. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/smugglers-do-not.md) > I hear all sorts of things as a fool that I never heard when I was a knight. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-hear-all.md) > The guests laughed, but it was a joyless laughter, the sort that can turn into sobbing in half a heartbeat. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-guests-laughed.md) > "Tears," she said scornfully as the woman was led from the hall. "The woman's weapon, my lady mother used to call them. The man's weapon is a sword. And that tells us all you need to know, doesn't it?" [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/tears-she-said.md) > There were hundreds in the water, drowning or burning or doing a little of both. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/there-were-hundreds.md) > He distrusts everyone, she reflected, and perhaps for good reason. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/he-distrusts-everyone.md) > "I hope you like blackberry tarts." > > "I love all sorts of tarts." > > "I've known that for a very long time." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-hope-you.md) > There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/there-are-no-shadows.md) > The list of the slain was topped by the High Septon, ripped apart as he squealed to his gods for mercy. Starving men take a hard view of priests too fat to walk, Tyrion reflected. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-list-of-the.md) > The only way to keep people loyal is to make sure they fear you more than the enemy. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-only-way.md) > Some of the living swam, some of the dead floated; the ones in heavy mail and plate sank to the bottom, the quick and the dead alike. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/some-of-the.md) > Drink ... Perhaps it will give you the courage to deal with truth for a change. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/drink-perhaps-it-will.md) > Darkness was a chancy ally at best. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/darkness-was-a-chancy.md) > How can I do my duty if I do not know where it lies? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/how-can-i.md) > In the sept they pray for the Mother's mercy but on the walls it's the Warrior they pray to, and all in silence. She remembered how Septa Mordane used to tell them that the Warrior and the Mother were only two faces of the same great god. But if there is only one, whose prayers will be heard? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/in-the-sept.md) > Men came at him. Some he killed, some he wounded, and some went away, but always there were more. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/men-came-at-him.md) > "My nephew is tenderhearted." > > "Are you certain he's a Lannister?" > > "I'm certain of nothing but winter and battle." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/my-nephew-is-tenderhearted.md) > A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part magic ... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be the messiest of all. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-womans-life.md) > I told you what needed to be done, and left it to you to decide what it would be ... To lead men you must know them, Jon Snow. I know more of you now than I did this morning. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-told-you.md) > Cruel lands breed cruel peoples. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/cruel-lands-breed.md) > They'll kill for that knighthood, but don't think they'll ever die for it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/theyll-kill-for.md) > “Your sons, they...they’re with the gods now.” > > “Are they?” Catelyn said sharply. “What god would let this happen?” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/your-sons-they-theyre.md) > Tyrion says that people often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it’s served up. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/tyrion-says-that.md) > ... By the time they carried her off her thighs were bloody again. It was as if her own body had betrayed her to Joffrey, unfurling a banner of Lannister crimson for all the world to see. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/by-the-time.md) > He thought he could smell smoke, though perhaps it was just the scent of his nerves fraying. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/he-thought-he-could.md) > Your prize will be the doom of you. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/your-prize-will.md) > The unseen enemy is always the most fearsome. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-unseen-enemy.md) > Joff had the Antler Men trussed up naked in the square below, antlers nailed to their heads. When they'd been brought before the Iron Throne for justice, he had promised to send them to Stannis. A man was not as heavy as a boulder or a cask of burning pitch, and could be thrown a deal farther. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/joff-had-the.md) > "If she saw two futures, well ... both cannot be true." > > King Stannis pointed a finger. "There you err, Onion Knight. Some lights cast more than one shadow." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-she-saw.md) > Tears are not a woman's only weapon. You've got another one between your legs, and you'd best learn to use it. You'll find men use their swords freely enough. Both kinds of swords. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/tears-are-not.md) > He loved the wild more than he loved the Wall. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/he-loved-the.md) > Those are brave men" he told Ser Balon in admiration. "Let's go kill them." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/those-are-brave.md) > Men fight more fiercely for a king who shares their peril than one who hides behind his mother's skirts. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/men-fight-more.md) > Do you always smell so bad, or did you just finish fucking a pig? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/do-you-always.md) > Send two hundred wolves against ten thousand sheep, ser, and see what happens. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/send-two-hundred.md) > Lord Bolton, he used to say a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man's got none. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/lord-bolton-he-used.md) > But now there were only a hundred men left to guard a thousand doors, and no one seemed to know who should be where, nor care much. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/but-now-there.md) > "Won't your guards protect us?" > > "And who will protect us from my guards? Loyal sellswords are rare as virgin whores ... Do you have any notion what happens when a city is sacked, Sansa? No, you wouldn't, would you? All you know of life you learned from singers, and there's such a dearth of good sacking songs." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/wont-your-guards.md) > The gods must have been mad to waste manhood on the likes of him ... [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-gods-must.md) > One man on a wall was worth ten beneath it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/one-man-on-a-wall.md) > If it could burn the Lannisters had burned it; if it could die, they'd killed it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-it-could.md) > When you have seen your kings shit over the rail and turn green in a storm, it was hard to bend the knee and pretend they were gods. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-you-have.md) > That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn were held for ransom. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/that-was-the.md) > It is one thing to deceive a king, and quite another to hide from the cricket in the rushes and the little bird in the chimney. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/it-is-one.md) > If there is food I eat it, in case there is none on the morrow. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-there-is-food.md) > The living should smile, for the dead cannot. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-living-should.md) > If I could pray with my cock I'd be a lot more religious. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-i-could.md) > What good is this, I ask you? He who hurries through life hurries to his grave. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/what-good-is-this.md) > "What sort of knight beats helpless maids?" > > "The one who serves his king ..." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/what-sort-of-knight.md) > Every night Arya would say their names. "Ser Gregor," she'd whisper to her stone pillow. "Dunsen, Polliver, Chiswyck, Raff the Sweetling, The Tickler and The Hound. Ser Amory, Ser Ilyn, Ser Meryn, King Joffrey, Queen Cersei." Back in Winterfell, Arya had prayed with her mother in the sept and with her father in the godswood, but there were no gods on the road to Harrenhal, and the names were the only prayer she cared to remember. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/every-night-arya.md) > So many kings, my tongue grows weary of the word. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/so-many-kings.md) > A crown was worth a little mud and horseshit on his breeches, he supposed. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-crown-was.md) > Have you ever considered that too many answers are the same as no answer at all? ... When a king dies, fancies sprout like mushrooms in the dark. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/have-you-ever.md) > He watched them as from a distance, as if he still sat in the window of his bedchamber looking down on the yard below, seeing everything yet a part of nothing. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/he-watched-them.md) > There was something wild about a godswood; even here, in the heart of the castle in the heart of the city, you could feel the old gods watching with a thousand eyes. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/there-was-something.md) > “Kings have no friends,” Stannis said bluntly, “only subjects and enemies.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/kings-have-no-friends.md) > "I am not without mercy", thundered he who was notoriously without mercy. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-am-not.md) > She got dirt in her mouth but she didn't care, the taste was fine, the taste was mud and water and worms and life. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/she-got-dirt.md) > “Sleep is good,” he said. “And books are better.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sleep-is-good.md) > "Look across the fields, brother? Do you see all those banners?" > > "Do you think a few bolts of cloth will make you king?" [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/look-across-the.md) > Bad enough when the dead come walking. Now the Old Bear wants them talking as well! ... The dead are likely dull fellows, full of tedious complaints—the ground’s too cold, my gravestone should be larger, why does he get more worms than I do... [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/bad-enough-when.md) > “I do not know this Lord of Light,” Davos admitted, “but I knew the gods we burned this morning. The Smith has kept my ships safe, while the Mother has given me seven strong sons.” > > “Your wife has given you seven strong sons. Do you pray to her? It was wood we burned this morning.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-do-not.md) > That's my cursed luck. I kill the poor. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/thats-my-cursed.md) > Let us not get into the habit of names. Names are dangerous. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/let-us-not.md) > “He’ll want what kings always want,” she said. “Homage.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/hell-want-what.md) > The smallfolk are always eager to believe the worst of their lords. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-smallfolk-are.md) > Why would the gods send a warning if we can't heed it and change what's to come? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/why-would-the.md) > The middle wall, forty feet high, was grey granite alive with scenes of war: the clash of sword and shield and spear, arrows in flight, heroes at battle and babes being butchered, pyres of the dead. The innermost wall was fifty feet of black marble, with carvings that made Dany blush until she told herself that she was being a fool. She was no maid; if she could look on the grey wall’s scenes of slaughter, why should she avert her eyes from the sight of men and women giving pleasure to one another? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-middle-wall.md) > I stopped believing in gods the day I saw the Windproud break up across the bay. Any gods so monstrous as to drown my mother and father would never have my worship, I vowed. In King’s Landing, the High Septon would prattle at me of how all justice and goodness flowed from the Seven, but all I ever saw of either was made by men. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-stopped-believing.md) > I was a boy, and what boy does not wish to find secret powers hidden in himself? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/i-was-a-boy.md) > "You'd best get a bird ready. Mormont will want to send back word." > > "I wish I could send them all. They hate being caged." > > "You would too, if you could fly." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/youd-best-get.md) > One day she would allow herself to be less than strong. But it could not be today. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/one-day-she.md) > A frightened man is a beaten man [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-frightened-man.md) > "My first rule of war, Cat—never give the enemy his wish." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/my-first-rule.md) > It is real, all of it, he thought, the wars, the intrigues, the great bloody game, and me in the center of it ... me, the dwarf, the monster, the one they scorned and laughed at, but now I hold it all, the city, the girl. This was what I was made for, and gods forgive me, but I love it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/it-is-real.md) > If you step in a nest of snakes, does it matter which one bites you first? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-you-step.md) > Have you noticed that the rain stopped the instant I had a roof above me? It will start again now that I'm back out. Gods and dogs alike delight to piss on me. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/have-you-noticed.md) > Arya watched them die and said nothing. What good did it do you to be brave? ... There were no brave people on that march, only scared and hungry ones. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/arya-watched-them.md) > Dawn came cruel, a dagger of light. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/dawn-came-cruel.md) > The talk at the walls had all been of troubles in the city of late. People were crowding in, running from the war, and many had no way to live save robbing and killing each other. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-talk-at-the.md) > The longer he lived, the more Tyrion realized that nothing was simple and little was true. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-longer-he-lived.md) > As for those she served with, she did not even want to even know their names. That only made it hurt worse when they died. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/as-for-those.md) > ... for a moment the forest seemed a deep green sea, storm-tossed and heaving, eternal and unknowable. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/for-a-moment.md) > If it is the swordsmen who rule us in truth, why do we pretend kings have the power? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-it-is-the.md) > Is a secret still a secret if everyone knows it? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/is-a-secret.md) > If it's softer than ground and has a roof over it, I call it a bed. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/if-its-softer.md) > Part of her wanted to be a swan. The other part wanted to eat one. She had broken her fast on some acorn paste and a handful of bugs. Bugs weren't so bad when you got used to them. Worms were worse, but not so bad as the pain in your belly from days without food. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/part-of-her.md) > This world is twisted beyond hope, when lowborn smugglers must vouch for the honor of kings [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/this-world-is-twisted.md) > The morning air was dark with the smoke of burning gods. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-morning-air.md) > “Tell me, Bronn. If I told you to kill a babe . . . an infant girl, say, still at her mother’s breast . . . would you do it? Without question?” “Without question? No.” The sellsword rubbed thumb and forefinger together. “I'd ask how much.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/tell-me-bronn.md) > She thought she had known what it meant to be afraid, but she learned better in the storehouse beside the Gods Eye. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/she-thought-she.md) > A man like Petyr Baelish, who had a gift for rubbing two golden dragons together to make a third, was invaluable to his Hand. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-man-like.md) > Pity filled Catelyn's heart. Is there any creature on earth as unfortunate as an ugly woman? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/pity-filled-catelyns.md) > Gods do not forget ... [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/gods-do-not.md) > Knights and lordlings, they take each other captive and pay ransoms, but they don't care if the likes of you yield or not. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/knights-and-lordlings.md) > Boys believe nothing can hurt them, his doubt whispered. Grown men know better. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/boys-believe-nothing.md) > "The smiths are in your audience chamber, waiting your pleasure", he said as they crossed the ward. > > "Waiting my pleasure. I like the ring of that, Bronn. You almost sound like a proper courtier. Next you'll be kneeling." > > "Fuck you, dwarf." > > "That's Shae's task." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-smiths-are.md) > A man agrees with god as a raindrop with the storm. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/a-man-agrees.md) > King is only a word, but fealty, loyalty, service ... those I must have. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/king-is-only.md) > "Why do you let people call you a dog? You won't let anyone call you a knight." > > "I like dogs better than knights ... A hound will die for you, but never lie to you." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/why-do-you.md) > Sorcery is the sauce fools spoon over failure to hide the flavor of their own incompetence. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sorcery-is-the.md) > Can a whore truly love anyone, I wonder? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/can-a-whore.md) > When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-you-tear.md) > Some men are born to be killed. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/some-men-are.md) > "Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less." > > "So power is a mummer's trick?" > > "A shadow on the wall," Varys murmured, "yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/power-resides-where.md) > The Iron Islands lived in the past; the present was too hard and bitter to be borne. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-iron-islands.md) > When there are no battles to fight, men start to think of hearth and harvest. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-there-are.md) > "... [W]hen you've known me longer, you'll learn that I mean everything I say." > > "Even the lies?" > > "Especially the lies." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/w-hen-youve-known.md) > “Maester Luwin says there’s nothing in dreams that a man need fear.” > > “There is,” said Jojen. > > “What?” > > “The past. The future. The truth.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/maester-luwin-says.md) > When a pirate grows rich enough, they make him a prince. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/when-a-pirate.md) > Paint stripes on a toad, he does not become a tiger. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/paint-stripes-on-a-toad.md) > "You think I'm wrong to keep the rangers close?" > > "It's not for me to say, my lord." > > "It is if you're asked." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/you-think-im-wrong.md) > Catelyn was finding that kings do not listen half so attentively as sons. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/catelyn-was-finding.md) > I'm terrified of my enemies, so I kill them all. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/im-terrified-of-my-enemies.md) > Some men want whores on the eve of battle, and some want gods. Jon wondered who felt better afterward. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/some-men-want.md) > Only cowards kill the vanquished [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/only-cowards-kill.md) > Schemes are like fruit, they require a certain ripening [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/schemes-are-like.md) > “I’ll have the boy.” ... “You’ll have no one,” Yoren said stubbornly. “There’s laws on such things.” The gold cloak drew a shortsword. “Here’s your law.” Yoren looked at the blade. “That’s no law, just a sword. Happens I got one too.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/ill-have-the.md) > The world preferred to forget that men who knew how to heal also knew how to kill. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-world-preferred.md) > Crowns do queer things to the heads beneath them. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/crowns-do-queer.md) > Many called her beautiful. She was not beautiful. She was red, and terrible, and red. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/many-called-her.md) > Prince Tommen was not so obedient. “I’m supposed to ride against the straw man.”“Not today.”“But I want to ride!”“I don’t care what you want.”“Mother said I could ride.” “She said,” Princess Myrcella agreed. “Mother said,” mocked the king. “Don’t be childish.” “We’re children,” Myrcella declared haughtily. “We’re supposed to be childish.”The Hound laughed. “She has you there.” [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/prince-tommen-was.md) > There's no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/theres-no-shame.md) > "The Watch needs good men" he told them as they set out, "but you lot will have to do." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-watch-needs.md) > Doubtless fresh rats were to be preferred to old stale rotten rats ... When times grew lean, even bakers found sellswords cheaper than bread, he reflected. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/doubtless-fresh-rats.md)