Michael Bath

“The council must issue an edict. Any man heard speaking of incest or calling Joff a bastard should lose his tongue for it."
"A prudent measure," said Grand Maester Pycelle, his chain of office clinking as he nodded.
"A folly," sighed Tyrion. "When you tear out a man's tongue you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings

“She is a modest and innocent thing who secretly wishes a worldly cad would teach her all those wicked deeds she has heard about but cannot quite imagine. I have played this role before, gentlemen. Trust me, it is not innocence per se that men like Pirate Lafitte are drawn to but the tantalizing possibility of corrupting that innocence.”
― George R.R. Martin, Rogues

“Anticipation, she would say, locks you into a mind-set, which, whether you realize it or not, dictates your actions, even though they may be the wrong ones. If you don’t anticipate, your mind is clear, your actions develop as the situation unfolds.”
― Eric Van Lustbader, Four Dominions

“But we will trust you nonetheless. You are bitter, and bitterness is a sign of concern. I trust that.”
― Stephen R. Donaldson, Lord Foul's Bane