# Quote — George RR Martin, A Storm of Swords

> When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say "I am the king" is no king at all.

- Author: [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md)
- Book: [A Storm of Swords](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#A_Storm_of_Swords_(2000)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/when-your-enemies

## More from this book

> Begging for help never gets you any.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/begging-for-help.md)

> Outlaws were better at hiding than honest men.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/outlaws-were-better.md)

> Harsh justice is still justice.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/harsh-justice-is-still.md)