Quotes
...kings are surrounded with persons who are wonderfully attentive in taking care that the king be not alone and in a state to think of himself, knowing well that he will be miserable, king though he be, if he meditate on self.
What is it to be superintendent, chancellor, first president, but to be in a condition wherein from early morning a large number of people come from all quarters to see them, so as not to leave them an hour in the day in which they can think of themselves? And when they are in disgrace and sent back to their country houses, where they lack neither wealth nor servants to help them on occasion, they do not fail to be wretched and desolate, because no one prevents them from thinking of themselves.
Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.
p. 49
Everything conspires to take away from a man who is set in authority over others the sense of justice and reason.
The strongest is never strong enough always to be master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.
When you are a king, you may make as many ridiculous laws as you like. That is what being a king is all about.
Like Bancroft, MacIntyre had been a man of power, and like all men of power, when he talked of prices worth paying, you could be sure of one thing.
Someone else was paying.
p. 217
Naturally these penalties were applicable only to private citizens, not military commanders or government executives. The powerful are jealous of their toys.
p. 371
That’s power, Mitch, absolute power. And you know the old saying. Power ennobles. Absolute power ennobles absolutely.
p. 44
Everyone at the Hayholt had seemed obsessed with the empty ritual of power, something Miriamele had lived with for so long that it held no interest for her. It was like watching a confusing game played by bad-tempered children.
p. 99
“You have something that might be more use to me than either gold or power—something that in fact brings both in its train.”
“And what is that?”
The count leaned forward. “Knowledge.”
p. 491
A king’s son has nothing but inferiors, each one a potential assassin.
p. 12
