--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured…" description: "\"“A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_a-shadow-on-the-wall-varys-murmured-yet_1343710.png" --- # A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can… ![“A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_a-shadow-on-the-wall-varys-murmured-yet_1343710.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_a-shadow-on-the-wall-varys-murmured-yet_1343710.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_a-shadow-on-the-wall-varys-murmured-yet_1343710.png) > ““A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.”” [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character warns that even a small influence can become dangerous, and that affection can coexist with lethal intent, underscoring the complexity of power and loyalty. **In simple terms:** Small actions can have big, dangerous effects; affection can mix with threat. Key Takeaway Beware of underestimating subtle influence. Themes power loyalty danger subtlety trust Mood cautious strategic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - court politics - personal relationships - strategic planning - managing alliances - handling betrayal Key Concepts influence shadow metaphor political intrigue Questions to Reflect On - What hidden influences shape your decisions? - How do you balance affection with caution? A Different Perspective Even minor threats can be lethal; trust must be earned, not assumed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bran/) [Lord Varys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord-varys-1729194/) [Shadow Tyrion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow-tyrion-1729193/) [Small man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-man/) [Tyrion Smiled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrion-smiled-1729192/) [Varys Murmured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/varys-murmured-3535423/) [Wall Varys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall-varys-4547050/) ## Related quotes > [“Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/varys-smiled-here-then-power-resides-where-men-believe-it-resides-no/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow. Tyrion smiled. Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/ofttimes-a-very-small-man-can-cast-a-very-large-shadow-tyrion-smiled/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [“Oh, I think not,” Varys said, swirling the wine in his cup. “Power is a curious thing, my lord. Perchance you have considered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/oh-i-think-not-varys-said-swirling-the-wine-in-his-cup-power-is-a/) [George R.R. 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Some are thin and weak, others long and dark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/every-man-who-walks-the-earth-casts-a-shadow-on-the-world-some-are/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“The shy girl she had known at Riverrun had grown into a woman who was by turns proud, fearful, cruel, dreamy, reckless, timid, stubborn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-shy-girl-she-had-known-at-riverrun-had-grown-into-a-woman-who-was/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“He won the war on the battlefield and lost it in a bedchamber, poor fool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/he-won-the-war-on-the-battlefield-and-lost-it-in-a-bedchamber-poor/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“On the morning after battle the crows had feasted on victors and vanquished alike. 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I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George R.R. 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