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

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.

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

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)