Assassin’s Apprentice wasn’t riddled with brilliant, beautiful quotes throughout even though it was a well-written story. However, there were a few that struck me. Enough that they deserved their own post. Several were relevant to events in our current times. And a few were relevant to me personally but might speak to you as well.
After enjoying these quotes, read my review of the story here.
Quotes
“Is it the nature of the world that all things seek a rhythm, and in that rhythm a sort of peace? Certainly it has always seemed so to me. All events, no matter how earthshaking or bizarre, are diluted within moments of their occurrence by the continuance of the necessary routines of day-to-day living. Men walking a battlefield to search for wounded among the dead will still stop to cough, to blow their noses, still lift their eyes to watch a V of geese in flight. I have seen farmers continue their plowing and planting, heedless of armies clashing but a few miles away.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
“Her ambitions have always exceeded her abilities.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
“There isn’t much in a man’s head that can’t be cured by working and taking care of something else.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
“That is the trick of good government. To make folk desire to live in such a way that there is no need for its intervention.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
“I longed for a good platter of hot meat with bread to sop up the juices, but what we were offered were tidbits of meat oddly spiced, exotic fruit compotes, pale breads, and vegetables cooked to pallor and then seasoned. It was an impressive display of good food abused in the name of fashionable cooking.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
“When you cut pieces out of the truth to avoid looking like a fool, you end up sounding like a moron instead.” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
This next quote was a bit personal. Have you ever felt a book speak directly to you? I’ve been struggling with my health lately and been indulging too much. I’ve struggled to get my drinking under control in particular. And then I read this quote, or page I should say. And it helped. Kind of a slap in the face. A kick in the shins. It felt like this was a good regimen to implement. We’ll see how it goes.
“He looked at me, his eyes running up and down me, and then poked at his seed again. ‘You,’ he said ‘will stop drinking anything but water or tea for the rest of the summer. Your sweat stinks of wine. And for one so young, your muscles are lax. A winter of Galen’s meditations has done your body no good at all. See that you exercise it. Take it upon yourself, as of today, to climb to Verity’s tower four times a day. You will take him food, and the teas I will show you how to prepare. You will never show him a sullen face, but will always be cheerful and friendly’…
It had not taken many words from Chade to awaken shame in myself. My perception of my life crashed from high tragedy to juvenile self-pity in a matter of moments. ‘I have been idle,’ I admitted.
‘You have been stupid,’ Chade agreed. ‘You had a month in which to take charge of your own life. You behaved like… a spoiled brat. I have no wonder that Burrich is disgusted with you.'” — Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Let me know in the comments if any of these quotes speak to you. And don’t forget to read my review of Assassin’s Apprentice!
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