Quotes About Rulership

Kings have no friends, just subjects and enemies.

The High Septon was the true king of Westeros, in all but name.

One day Bran, you will be Robb's bannerman, holding a keep of your own for your brother and your king, and justice will fall to you. When that day comes, you must take no pleasure in the task, but neither must you look away. A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.

We are the ironborn, and once we were conquerors. Our writ ran everywhere the sound of the waves was heard. My brother would have be content with the cold and dismal north, my niece with even less ... but I shall give you Lannisport. Highgarden. The Arbor. Oldtown. The riverlands and the Reach, the kingswood and the rainwood, Dorne and the marches, the Mountains of the Moon and the Vale of Arryn, Tarth and the Stepstones. I say we take it all! I say, we take Westeros.

Aerys Targaryen did as he liked. Has your mother ever told you what happened to him?

It please her to think that she made a better king than Robert.

Aegon had made the seven kingdoms one with fire and blood.

The girl that they once cheered as the Realm's Delight had grown into a grasping and vindictive woman, men said, a queen as cruel as any king before her. One wit named Rhaenyra "King Maegor with teats," and for a hundred years thereafter "Maegor's Teats" was a common curse amongst Kingslanders.

To Queen her is to kill her.

King Joffrey and King Robb and King Stannis were forgotten, and King Bread ruled alone.

My Throne is made from the swords of my enemies.

When dead men come hunting in the night, do you think it matters who sits the Iron Throne?

It is a terrible thing we contemplate, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule must do vile things for the good of the realm, howevermuch it pains us.

Or do you mean to rule over a realm of seals and otters?" She gave a rueful laugh. "Otters might be easier to rule than men, I grant you. And seals are smarter.

The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth.

I am the State.

I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.

Because I do it with one small ship, I am called a terrorist. You do it with a whole fleet and are called an emperor.

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law

For a king, death is better than dethronement and exile.

Let him leave the imperial court, who wishes to be virtuous. Virtue and absolute power cannot coexist.

The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.

There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters

Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.