---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us…"
description: "\"“Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power comes from the gods. Others say it derives from law. Yet that day on the steps of Baelor’s Se..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_some-say-knowledge-is-power-some-tell-us_2173174.jpg"
---

#  Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power…

![“Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power comes from the gods. Others say it derives from law. Yet that day on the steps of Baelor’s Sept, our godly High Septon and the lawful Queen Regent and your ever-so-knowledgeable servant were as powerless as any cobbler or cooper in the…” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_some-say-knowledge-is-power-some-tell-us_2173174.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_some-say-knowledge-is-power-some-tell-us_2173174.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_some-say-knowledge-is-power-some-tell-us_2173174.jpg)

> ““Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power comes from the gods. Others say it derives from law. Yet that day on the steps of Baelor’s Sept, our godly High Septon and the lawful Queen Regent and your ever-so-knowledgeable servant were as powerless as any cobbler or cooper in the crowd. Who truly killed Eddard Stark, do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or . . . another?” Tyrion cocked his head sideways. “Did you mean to answer your damned riddle, or only to make my head ache worse?” Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.””

[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.

Power is defined by collective belief; without shared perception, authority collapses.

**In simple terms:** Power exists only when people accept it.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how belief shapes authority.

Themes

politics belief authority perception

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

literary dialogue philosophical

When to use this quote

- court intrigue
- political negotiations
- public persuasion
- leadership challenges

Key Concepts

social construct legitimacy power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do societies decide who holds power?
- What happens when belief in authority wanes?

A Different Perspective

Belief can be manipulated, making power unstable.

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[Baelor Sept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baelor-sept-4661995/) [Bran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bran/) [Eddard Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eddard-stark/) [Killed Eddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killed-eddard-4661994/) [Knowledge is power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-is-power/) [Sword Tyrion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword-tyrion-4661992/) [Think Joffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-joffrey-4661996/) [Tyrion Cocked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrion-cocked-4661993/)

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