"War matters not if you're breathing when it's done."
This quote by Joe Abercrombie suggests that, in a broader context, the importance or impact of conflicts (such as wars) becomes irrelevant once life continues after they end. Life, symbolized here by "breathing", is the ultimate goal and what truly matters; the consequences and memories of conflicts are secondary to simply surviving and moving forward.
"It is said that victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan."
This quote implies that success is often attributed to many people, while failure receives no acknowledgement or explanation. It suggests that when things go well, everyone wants to take credit for the outcome, but when things don't go as planned, nobody takes responsibility for the mistakes or setbacks. It can also be interpreted as a commentary on human nature, highlighting the tendency for people to seek recognition and avoid blame.
"In a fair fight, cattle die. In a just fight, the guilty party dies, but in a righteous fight, both sides live."
This quote suggests that true justice isn't about achieving victory or inflicting harm, but rather about fostering understanding, reconciliation, and growth. In a 'fair fight', outcomes are decided by skill or chance, which can lead to unnecessary casualties. A 'just fight' brings consequences for wrongdoing, but it doesn't necessarily promote learning or change. However, a 'righteous fight' transcends these notions as both parties engage in dialogue and grow from the experience, ultimately leading to a more harmonious resolution where everyone learns and survives.
"The art of war ain't got nothing to do with sword fights, boy. It's all about turning men into wolves, and wolves into lions, and then setting them on each other."
This quote by Joe Abercrombie suggests that the essence of warfare isn't solely physical combat but rather the psychological manipulation to transform individuals or groups from ordinary states (wolves representing a state of mind focused on survival) into extraordinary ones capable of extreme acts (lions symbolizing heightened aggression and leadership). In other words, it highlights how leaders in war use motivation, fear, camaraderie, and other emotional factors to inspire their followers to exceed their perceived limitations and engage in brutal conflict.
"Power is a habit-forming thing. A taste for it is not easily lost."
This quote emphasizes that once one experiences power, it becomes addictive; an individual develops a strong desire to hold onto it. The habit of seeking and maintaining power can be hard to break, as the taste or feeling of wielding power is compelling. It suggests that those in positions of authority should be mindful of this psychological tendency, as it can lead to self-interest, corruption, and an unwillingness to relinquish control.
I think the further away you get from completing a book, the more responses you see to it from readers, the more your own tastes and opinions shift and the more you start to see things you could have written differently in the detail, or done differently on the broader scale of plot and character.
- Joe Abercrombie
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