Shorefall

Learn what your city has forgotten. What men of power have forgotten time and time again, throughout history—that there is always, always something mightier.

remember the plan,” said Sancia. “I just also remember there’s a lot of spots in the plan that say, ‘Sancia improvises a bunch of shit.’ Which is not, you know, comforting.

There is no innovation that will ever spring from the minds of men that will not eventually be used for slaughter and control.

You can't control innovation! You can't structure how people invent! That's not how any of this shit works! Making and inventing is an ugly, stupid, random, dangerous process - just like humanity itself.

But it is a regrettable thing that in order to fix a monstrous world, one must become a little monstrous in one’s own right.

I don’t like losing control of my thoughts! They’re some of the most valuable things I have!

they were 'the Muses' bringing brilliance down from upon high

The only comparison she had for it was the experience of being asleep in your own bed, and having your pet jump up and nestle in the back of your leg - the faint, warm awareness of another being nestling into you, whether you liked it or not.

You know, for people who do a lot of work to avoid having laws,” he told the captain, “you certainly do seem to invoke a lot of them when it’s to your benefit…

What change could possibly be accomplished in the face of such thoughtless, ignorant conviction?

Humankind is most innovative at turning innovation to the cruelest ends. Power alters the soul far more than any innovation I could imagine, even at the height of my privileges.

I find it takes a lot of treachery and death to make a moral world.

The problem with might, you see,” he said, “is that there’s always someone mightier.

I will be a person who has a girlfriend all the time and a job when I have to, rather than someone with a job all the time and a girlfriend whenever time allows.

Thinking,” she said. “You all…You are thieves, yes?” “No,” said Gregor. “Yes,” said Sancia. “Sometimes,” said Orso.

Is that what he thinks of me? That I damned him? He had it all wrong, she thought. He had no idea. But I didn’t. I saved him.

would rather risk a life of damnation,” said Gregor, “and save her, than abandon her and stay with those who first damned me.” He turned and ran into the darkness.

If things go poorly, tell her to wait for us. If things go really, quite very poorly, get on a ship and go and do not look back.

- Gio, mon bon, dit Ordo. J'échangerais tous les duvots de tous les coffres de tous les campos contre l'occasion de leur pisser sur les bottes. Ce n'est pas et ça n'a jamais été une question d'argent." Il s'assit bien droit et pris un air très digne et très noble. "C'est une question de principe. - L'urine et les principes font souvent bon ménage, railla Claudia.

Then…that is your assessment of all humanity?” said Berenice. “That humankind will always invent, but the powers of these inventions will always eventually accrue to the most powerful, and they will use them for conquest and slaughter?

Not all revolutions mean burning down a damned city. I am no historian, but ... it seems likely those are far from the norm...

they were "the Muses," brining brilliance down from upon high