“Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens.”

“Wars are won with quills and ravens, wasn't that what you said?”

“There is a savage beast in every man, and when you hand that man a sword or spear and send him forth to war, the beast stirs.”

“The singers make much of kings who valiantly die in battle, but your life is worth more than a sword. To me at least, who gave it to you.”

“Do you think it will truly come to battle between them? If they should come to some accord—”“They won’t,” Tyrion said. “They are too different and yet too much alike, and neither could ever stomach the other.”

“Some men want whores on the eve of battle, and some want gods. Jon wondered who felt better afterward.”

“Barristan Semly was not a bookish man, but he had often glanced through the pages of the White Book, where the deeds of his predecessors had been recorded. Some had been heroes, some weaklings, knaves, or cravens. Most were only men - quicker and stronger than most, more skilled with sword and shield, but still prey to pride, ambition, lust, love, anger, jealousy, greed for gold, hunger for power, and all the other failing that afflicted lesser mortals. The best of them overcame their flaws, did their duty, and died with their swords in their hands. The worst ...The worst were those who played the game of thrones.”