George RR Martin

Only cowards kill the vanquished

Let them see that their words can cut you, and you'll never be free of the mockery. If they want to give you a name, take it, make it your own. Then they can't hurt you with it anymore.

You wear your honor like a suit of armor, Stark. You think it keeps you safe, but all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move.

My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind...And a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.

Schemes are like fruit, they require a certain ripening

Some commands are more easily given than obeyed.

I ask you, Ned, what good is it to wear a crown? The gods mock the prayers of kings and cowherds alike.

A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.

Tell me, Lord Eddard ... why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?

“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.”

Give me honorable enemies rather than ambitious ones, and I'll sleep more easily by night.

"Ah, but when the queen proclaims one king and the Hand another, whose peace do they protect?" Lord Petyr flicked at the dagger with his finger, setting it spinning in place. When at last it slowed to a stop, the blade pointed at Littlefinger. "Why, there's your answer. They follow the man who pays them."