May I leave you with a bit of a riddle, Lord Tyrion?” He…
““May I leave you with a bit of a riddle, Lord Tyrion?” He did not wait for an answer. “In a room sit three great men, a king, a priest, and a rich man with his gold. Between them stands a sellsword, a little man of common birth and no great mind. Each of the great ones bids him slay the other two. ‘Do it,’ says the king, ‘for I am your lawful ruler.’ ‘Do it,’ says the priest, ‘for I command you in the names of the gods.’ ‘Do it,’ says the rich man, ‘and all this gold shall be yours.’ So tell me—who lives and who dies?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A riddle about power, obedience, and moral choice among a king, priest, and rich man.
In simple terms: Power asks for obedience, but at what cost?
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of following orders.
Themes
power
obedience
morality
choice
Mood
thoughtful
tense
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- military orders
- personal conscience
Key Concepts
riddles
ethical dilemmas
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Who should decide who lives?
- What is the true cost of obedience?
A Different Perspective
Blind obedience can cause harm.