Quotes from Robin Hobb

Not every problem in the world belongs to you, Tom Badgerlock. Let others have their share.

It's the only way to deal with a man like that. He crawls for you or you crawl for him. It's all he knows.

Emotion can be more exhausting than physical endeavor.

He wanted so bad to reach down and kiss her... She'd probably break his jaw.

Sometimes, it would be much easier to die for one's king than to give one's life for him.

When considering a man's motives, remember you must not measure his wheat with your bushel. He may not be using the same standard at all." And

GRIGSBY: Ship's cat. Orange and obnoxious.

The man's arrogance knows no bounds. No matter what anyone says or does to him, he sees the world only as it relates to him and what he wants. You haven't truly seen how he is. Any situation, he always finds a way to turn to his advantage. He will find some sort of profit from this. Some advantage for himself. Nothing else has ever mattered to him.

Why must it be one or the other?' she countered. 'You are both a capable seaman and the son of a Bingtown Trader. Why should not I have both sets of skill?

He got to the point. No idle questions about me, or you, or what was going on. He had found the thing he could do and come to do it. I like that in a man. Knowing what he can do, and doing it.

Men cannot grieve as dogs do. We should be grateful for that.

I told myself that I clenched my lips shut because it was the nobler thing to do, to keep these secrets to myself was better than to let the truth destroy her. Did I lie to myself, then? Don't we all?

Amber emerged from behind the screen. But it was not Amber who stood before her. Instead, it was a smudge-faced slave girl. A tattoo sprawled across one wind-reddened cheek. A crusty sore encompassed half her upper lip and her left nostril. Her dirty hair was pulling free from a scruffy braid. Her shirt was rough cotton and her bare feet peeked out from under her patched skirts. A dirty bandage bound one of her ankles. Rough canvas work gloves had replaced the lacy ones Amber habitually wore.

My life has become too heavy with purpose. I cannot remember the last time I did something simply because I wanted to do it.

You've learned to guard your thoughts so well, you're almost afraid to let yourself know what they are.

For a time I tried to bolster myself with anger, but my despair was too clammy and dark a thing for anger's flames to overcome.

I ate, boy. Early this morning. Some awful fish soup. The cooks should be hanged for that. No one should face fish first thing in the morning.

You earn your future, Malta Vestrit.' The bead-maker cocked her head at her. 'What does tomorrow owe you?' 'Tomorrow owes me?' Malta repeated in confusion. 'Tomorrow owes you the sum of your yesterdays. No more than that.' Amber looked out to sea again. 'And no less. Sometimes folk wish tomorrow did not pay them off so completely.

Burrich told me that the ax was not a sophisticated weapon, but was a very satisfactory one if used correctly.

Half the evil in this world occurs while decent people stand by and do nothing wrong. It's not enough to refrain from evil, Trell. People have to attempt to do right, even if they believe they cannot succeed.

No end, his words promised her. Life did not end. After thought, she found she shared his conviction. No final blackness to fear, no sudden stopping of being. Changes and mutations, yes, but those things went on with every breath. Changes were the essence of life; one should not dread change.

Never pretend we are anything but what we are. Assassins.

This was done by someone who believes himself very clever, and believes others are very stubid.

Dragons at a distance are amazing and noble creatures of legend. My closer experience of them makes me suspect they'd burp nobly after consuming me.