# Quote — George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings

> 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.

- Author: [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md)
- Book: [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#A_Clash_of_Kings_(1999)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/mercy-thought-theon

## More from this book

> 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)