Your Grace, she said, I have only one question. Do you wish this man crippled, or dead?

Son, you'll know you're in love when a woman's voice settles into your spine.

The world's best swordsman doesn't fear the second best he fears the worst swordsman, because he can't predict what the idiot will do.

God, I love the fine morality of the wealthy and powerful. You'll spill tears over your own, in a heartbeat. And then never even look twice at people below you, whose very lives are ground under every day, day after day, year after year.

We will maintain heading until he's committed, then I want a hardskew-turn to starboard. As hard as you can make it, Chief. I want our starboard broadside on him as he passes below us, and then I want to cut down across his stern and stick it right up his kilt. Clear? (Honor Harrington)

Giving orders you know won't be obeyed is one of the best ways I know to destroy your own authority.