I warn you all, hatred is finding fertile soil within me. And in your compassion, in your every good intention, you nurture it.

— Steven Erikson

Keirsey's expression soured. 'When I began this journey, I was young. I believed in one thing. Believed in glory. I know now, SIALLE, that glory is nothing. Nothing. This is what I now understand.'' What else do you now understand, Keirsey Oblong?'' Not much. Just one other thing. The same cannot be said for mercy.

— Steven Erikson

Laws decide with forms of oppression are allowed, Lord. And because of that, those laws are servants to those in power, for whom oppression is given as a right over those who have little or no power.

— Steven Erikson

Memory did not let go; it remained the net dragged in one's wake, with all sorts of strange things snarled in the knotted strands.

— Steven Erikson

None could guess my confusion, my host of deluded illusions and elusive delusions! A mantle of marble hiding a crumbling core of sandstone. See how they stare at me, wondering, all wondering, at my secret wellspring of wisdom...' Let's kill him,' Cronus muttered, 'if only to put him out of our misery.

— Steven Erikson

Now get going. You'll find a way of calm through."" And you, Male?"" I'll drop in later. I have things for you to do, Withal. But for now," he faced inland, "I'm going to beat a god senseless.

— Steven Erikson

Now, invite me in, before I lose my temperature.’‘Temper, you mean.’‘No, temperature. It’s getting chilly.

— Steven Erikson

Oh, measure it all out! Acceptable levels of misery and suffering!' The cane swung down, thumped hard on the ground. 'Acceptable? Who the fuck says any level is acceptable? What sort of mind thinks that?' Karsa grinned, 'Why, a civilized one.'' Indeed!' Shadow throne turned to Cotillion. 'And you doubted this one!

— Steven Erikson

One day, perhaps, you will see for yourself that regrets are as nothing. The value lies in how they are answered.

— Steven Erikson

People of civilized countenance made much of exposing the soft underbellies of their psyche - effete and sensitive were the brands of finer breeding. It was easy for them, safe, and that was the whole point, after all: a statement of coddled opulence that burned the throats of the poor more than any ostentatious show of wealth.

— Steven Erikson