216 Quotes by Ann Leckie

I came to see her strangely serene manner as both a sign of just how much she expected to get whatever she wanted, and also an instrument by which she managed to do that, plain persistent saying what she wanted to be true in the expectation that it would eventually become so. It’s a method I’d found worked best for those who are already positioned to mostly get what they want. Obviously Fosyf had found it worked for her.

How comforting,′ I replied, my voice and my expression steadily serious, ’to think that in these difficult times God is still concerned with the details of the housing assignments. I myself have no time to discuss them just now.

They were prepared to be disgusted with her ignorance, a baby fresh from training, a matter for mocking and exasperation, yes. But also for sympathy, and some anticipatory pride. Her Bos would be able to claim credit for any of Tisarwat’s future accomplishments, because after all they would have raised her. Taught her anything she knew that was really important. They were prepared to be hers. Wanted very much for her to turn out to be the sort of lieutenant they would be proud to serve under.

People don’t riot for no reason. And if you’re finding you have to deal with the Ychana carefully now, it’s because of how they’ve been treated in the past.

It had been, for both of our lives. Frantic action, then months or even years waiting for something to happen.

It’s personal.” It was just that with me personal affected a great many others.

I had met quite a few priests in my long life, and found that they were, by and large, like anyone else – some generous, some grasping; some kind, some cruel; some humble, some self-aggrandizing. Most were all of those things, in various proportions, at various times. Like anyone else, as I said. But I had learned to be wary whenever a priest suggested that her personal aims were, in fact, God’s will.

In the end it’s only ever been one step, and then the next.

I don’t think that story communicates the point you seem to imagine it does.