# Quote — George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings

> "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."

- 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/power-resides-where

## 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)