651 Quotes by Joe Abercrombie

Blood gets you nothing but more blood. It follows me now, always, like my shadow, and like my shadow I can never be free of it. I should never be free of it. I’ve earned it. I’ve deserved it. I’ve sought it out. Such is my punishment.

Respect costs you nothing, and nothing gets a man killed quicker than confidence.

But things are always going to be better, or were better long ago. No politician ever got anywhere by telling people things are just right as they are.

Temple grimaced, and twitched, and fidgeted with a frayed sleeve. ‘What can we do, though?’ ‘Only follow our consciences.’ Temple rounded on him angrily. ‘For a mercenary you talk a lot about conscience!’ ‘Why concern yourself unless yours bothers you?’ ‘As far as I can tell, you’re still taking Cosca’s money!’ ‘If I stopped, would you?’ Temple opened his mouth, then soundlessly shut it and scowled off at the horizon, picking at his sleeve, and picking, and picking.

Killing a man by accident had made her a villain. Killing another on purpose had made her a hero. But all she could do was frown at the body as they dragged it out, and feel there was something very odd in all this.

Call it art, you can get away with anything.

He trusted to God, since there was no one else. He hoped for heaven. But he fully expected the alternative.

Back to the mud with you, Forley. We’re the poorer, and the ground’s the richer for it.

She never saw more damage done than by folk acting on high principle.