Isla

“fact isn’t a democratic process; if a thing isn’t true it isn’t true, even if everybody votes that it is.”
― K.J. Parker, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

“Seven, Brienne thought again, despairing. She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice.
She stepped out into the rain, Oathkeeper in hand.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Feast for Crows

“Now you know what an absolute monarchy is" she explained to Bill. "You can see how power corrupts." "I was corrupt before I had power," Random said, "and rich is better.”
― Roger Zelazny, Trumps of Doom

“YOU TRIED TO WARN HIM, he said, removing Binky’s nose-bag.

“Yes, sir. Sorry.”

YOU CANNOT INTERFERE WITH FATE. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE WHO SHOULD LIVE AND WHO SHOULD DIE?

Death watched Mort’s expression carefully.

ONLY THE GODS ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, he added. TO TINKER WITH THE FATE OF EVEN ONE INDIVIDUAL COULD DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Mort nodded miserably.

“Are you going to send me home?” he said.

Death reached down and swung him up behind the saddle.

BECAUSE YOU SHOWED COMPASSION? NO. I MIGHT HAVE DONE IF YOU HAD SHOWN PLEASURE. BUT YOU MUST LEARN THE COMPASSION PROPER TO YOUR TRADE.

“What’s that?”

A SHARP EDGE.”
― Terry Pratchett, Mort