We have thought you were too rule-abiding to be a good ruler—a paradox, you see—but perhaps we were wrong.
But you're the Witness for the Judiciate! Maia protested, which made everyone laugh.
"We said rule, not law, Pashavar said tartly. There is a difference, Serenity. An emperor who breaks laws is a mad dog and a danger, but an emperor who will never break a rule is nearly as bad, for he will never be able to recognize when a law must be changed.


Chapter 23, "The Opposition of the Court" (p. 294) - The Goblin Emperor (2014)

Sarah Monette Quotes

We have thought you were too rule-abiding to be a good ruler—a paradox, you see—but perhaps we were wrong. But you're the Witness for the...

We have thought you were too rule-abiding to be a good ruler—a paradox, you see—but perhaps we were wrong. But you're the Witness for the...

We have thought you were too rule-abiding to be a good ruler—a paradox, you see—but perhaps we were wrong. But you're the Witness for the...

We have thought you were too rule-abiding to be a good ruler—a paradox, you see—but perhaps we were wrong. But you're the Witness for the...