Quotes from The Republic of Thieves

Scott Lynch ·  650 pages

Rating: (60.4K votes)


“A boy may be as disagreeable as he pleases, but when a girl refuses to crap sunshine on command, the world mutters darkly about her moods.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“What's the n-never-fail universal apology?"

"'I was badly misinformed, I deeply regret the error, go fuck yourself with this bag of money.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Quit being so hard on yourself. We are what we are; we love what we love. We don't need to justify it to anyone... not even to ourselves.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“I don't expect life to make sense," he said after a few moments, "but it could certainly be pleasant if it would stop kicking us in the balls.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves



“He said that life boils down to standing in line to get shit dropped on your head. Everyone's got a place in the queue, you can't get out of it, and just when you start to congratulate yourself on surviving your dose of shit, you discover that the line is actually circular.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“When the sky’s falling, I take shelter under bullshit.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“What is government but theft by consent?”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“I can’t name the poison that’s killing your friend. But the one that’s killing you is called hope.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“My disinterest in your bullshit is so tangible you could make bricks out of it”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves



“Yeah, but if I don't start my nervous pacing now, I'll never have it all done in time.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Are you smarter than a pig, Locke?”
“On occasion,” said Locke. “There are contrary opinions.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“That’s how luck works, lad.
You can bitch all you like about how things could have been more favorable for you, but rest assured things can always be worse.
Always.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“You want a lesson, boy? If you find yourself being born, climb back in as quick as you can, because life's a bottomless feast of shit.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“You can knock down kingdoms on a whim. What you need is someone to make sure you don't get hit by a carriage when you cross the street.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves



“Didn't Chains tell you about the Golden Theological Principle?"

"The what?"

"The single congruent aspect of every known religion. The one shared, universal assumption about the human condition."

"What is it?"

"He said that life boils down to standing in line to get shit dropped on your head. Everyone's got a place in the queue, you can't get out of it, and just when you start to congratulate yourself on surviving your dose of shit, you discover that line is actually circular.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Key, crown, child,” he muttered. “Well, fuck you, Patience. Three things must you kiss before I let you spook me for good. My boots, my balls, and my ass.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“I’m a little overdressed for this, but I think I can compensate by toning down my manners.” “Overdressed for what?” said Jean. “Insulting complete strangers,” said Locke, loosening his neck-cloth. “Got to mind the delicate social nuances when you inform some poor fellow that he’s a dumb motherfucker.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“You’ve the presence of a mouse fart in a high wind. Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“I keep asking myself," whispered Sabetha, giving Locke's arm a squeeze, "ARE we smarter than that woman's chicken?"

"At the moment, it's an open question," said Locke.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves



“Nobody admires anyone else without qualification. If they do they're after an image, not a person.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“I shall give you a little prophecy, Locke Lamora, as best as I have seen it.
'Three things you must take up and three things you must lose before you die: a key, a crown, a child.' Patience pushed her hood up over her head. 'You will die when a silver rain falls.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Have you considered extreme, desperate measures like talking to her again?"

"Yeah, but, well..."

"You've yeah-but your way to this point," said Jean. "You're going to yeah-but this mess until it's time to go home, and I don't doubt you'll yeah-but her out of your life. Quit circling at a distance. Go talk to her, for Preva's sake.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Nah, if she’s the rose, he can be her thorn.” Calo snapped his fingers. “The Thorn of Camorr! Now, that’s got some shine to it!”
“That’s the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever heard,” said Locke.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“But that’s precisely what you’re doing. Listen, if you walk into a whorehouse and find yourself getting sucked off, it’s because you put some money on the counter, not because the gods transported a pair of lips to your cock.” “That’s … a really incredible metaphor, Jean, but I think I could use some help translating it.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves



“We like what we like, we want what we want, and nobody needs to give us permission to feel that way!”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Until you finally lose the strength for sarcasm, Locke, I wouldn’t hire any mourners.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“Interesting,” said Sabetha, “that I mention my own feelings, and you seem to think that what I’m after is reassurance concerning your perceptions.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


“... and you're the son of his youngest. He has no other children. Oh, your father's dead, by the way. Fell off a horse two years ago.'
'Good to know.”
― Scott Lynch, quote from The Republic of Thieves


About the author

Scott Lynch
Born place: in Saint Paul, The United States
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“This, O my Best Beloved is a story – a new and wonderful story – a story quite different from the other stories”
― Rudyard Kipling, quote from Just So Stories


“What is it that constitutes virtue, Mrs. Graham? Is it the circumstance of being able and willing to resist temptation; or that of having no temptations to resist? - Is he a strong man that overcomes great obstacles and performs surprising achievements, though by dint of great muscular exertion, and at the risk of some subsequent fatigue, or he that sits in his chair all day, with nothing to do more laborious than stirring the fire, and carrying his food to his mouth? If you would have your son to walk honourably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.'

'I will lead him by the hand, Mr. Markham, till he has strength to go alone; and I will clear as many stones from his path as I can, and teach him to avoid the rest - or walk firmly over them, as you say; - for when I have done my utmost, in the way of clearance, there will still be plenty left to exercise all the agility, steadiness, and circumspection he will ever have. - It is all very well to talk about noble resistance, and trials of virtue; but for fifty - or five hundred men that have yielded to temptation, show me one that has had virtue to resist. And why should I take it for granted that my son will be one in a thousand? - and not rather prepare for the worst, and suppose he will be like his - like the rest of mankind, unless I take care to prevent it?”
― Anne Brontë, quote from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall


“For a moment, she let herself forget about the business at hand and smiled at him. “You know, Roarke, you’re kind of cute.” She realized it was the first time she’d really surprised him.

His head came up, and his eyes were startled—for perhaps two heartbeats. Then that sly smile came into them. The one that made her own pulse jitter.

“You’re going to have to do better than that, lieutenant. I’ve got you in.”

“No shit?” Excitement flooded through her as she whirled back to the screens.

“Put it up.”

“Screens four, five, six.”
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