--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's ridiculous the way everyone acts…" description: "\"“It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king is going to make someone better at being one,\" Vivi says. \"Imagine if, in the mortal world, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png" --- # It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king… ![“It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king is going to make someone better at being one," Vivi says. "Imagine if, in the mortal world, a lawyer passed the bar by killing another lawyer.” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png) > ““It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king is going to make someone better at being one," Vivi says. "Imagine if, in the mortal world, a lawyer passed the bar by killing another lawyer.”” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power gained through violence is hollow; true leadership requires integrity, not murder. **In simple terms:** Violence doesn't create true leaders. Key Takeaway Seek ethical influence. Themes ethics leadership violence Mood critical thoughtful Type literary ethical When to use this quote - political arenas - corporate culture - personal ambition Key Concepts power dynamics moral authority Questions to Reflect On - What defines a worthy leader? - Can power be achieved without harm? A Different Perspective Violence may temporarily succeed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cardan-greenbriar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan-greenbriar/) [Holly-black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holly-black/) [Jude-duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude-duarte/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [The-cruel-prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-cruel-prince/) [The-folk-of-the-air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-folk-of-the-air/) [The-queen-of-nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-queen-of-nothing/) ## Related quotes > [“I am the Queen of Elfhame. Even though I am the queen in exile, I am still the queen. And that means Madoc isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-am-the-queen-of-elfhame-even-though-i-am-the-queen-in-exile-i-am/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I missed you," I whisper against his skin and feel dizzy with the intimacy of the admission, feel more naked than when he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-missed-you-i-whisper-against-his-skin-and-feel-dizzy-with-the/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It's you I love," he says. "I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-you-i-love-he-says-i-spent-much-of-my-life-guarding-my-heart-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“What was it like?" I ask. "Being a serpent." He hesitates. "It was like being trapped in the dark," he says. "I was alone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-he-hesitates-it-was-like-being/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Clap her in chains," says Randalin. Never have I so wished there was a way for me to show I was telling the truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/clap-her-in-chains-says-randalin-never-have-i-so-wished-there-was-a/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Come home and shout at me. Come home and fight with me. Come home and break my heart, if you must. Just come home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/come-home-and-shout-at-me-come-home-and-fight-with-me-come-home-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“the fine or composition-money for killing a king was 30,000 thrimsas ($13,000);”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/the-fine-or-composition-money-for-killing-a-king-was-30-000-thrimsas/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [“He grabs hold of my wrist. I am shocked by the sensation of his skin warm against mine. 'Take care,' he says, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-grabs-hold-of-my-wrist-i-am-shocked-by-the-sensation-of-his-skin/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I recall that your hands were on her, but her eyes were on me,' Cardan returns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-recall-that-your-hands-were-on-her-but-her-eyes-were-on-me-cardan/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I hate you," I whisper before he can speak. He tilts my face to his. "Say it again," he says as the imps comb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-hate-you-i-whisper-before-he-can-speak-he-tilts-my-face-to-his-say/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It's shocking," he says, as though he's giving me some great compliment. "I know humans can lie, but to watch you do it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-shocking-he-says-as-though-he-s-giving-me-some-great-compliment/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The odd thing about ambition is this: You can acquire it like a fever, but it is not so easy to shed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-odd-thing-about-ambition-is-this-you-can-acquire-it-like-a-fever/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/most-of-all-i-hate-you-because-i-think-of-you-often-it-s-disgusting/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Let's have a toast. To the incompetence of our enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-s-have-a-toast-to-the-incompetence-of-our-enemies/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/instead-of-being-afraid-i-could-become-something-to-fear/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More by Holly Black > [“What they don’t realize is this: Yes, they frighten me, but I have always been scared, since the day I got here. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. Can’t live with them, can’t murder them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-s-family-for-you-can-t-live-with-them-can-t-murder-them/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Let her alone,' said the enkanto, 'or I will curse you blind, lame, and worse.' The old man laughed. 'I'm a curse breaker, fool.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-her-alone-said-the-enkanto-or-i-will-curse-you-blind-lame-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“lt's an honor and a delight to meet you and a tragedy you're here”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/lt-s-an-honor-and-a-delight-to-meet-you-and-a-tragedy-you-re-here/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No fire at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-fire-at-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“His wax-white skin was cool to the touch when she brushed his neck to find the knot of cloth. She'd never been this close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-wax-white-skin-was-cool-to-the-touch-when-she-brushed-his-neck-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [So what are you really wearing?" The words left her mouth before she could consider them. She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-was-how-she-felt-right-then-as-if-there-was-too-much-of-her-as/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It was a vow, a piece of a chant, their scripture, something they took so seriously that saying it aloud embarrassed them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-was-a-vow-a-piece-of-a-chant-their-scripture-something-they-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Some broken things stay broken”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/some-broken-things-stay-broken/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Explore all 666 Holly Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More Cardan-greenbriar quotes > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Are you angry about-' He cuts himself off, looking at my face more carefully. 'No, you're afraid. But why would you be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/are-you-angry-about-he-cuts-himself-off-looking-at-my-face-more/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Then Cardan comes in to view, a fond smile on his lips. When he speaks, he does so in a conspiratorial whisper. 'When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/then-cardan-comes-in-to-view-a-fond-smile-on-his-lips-when-he-speaks/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He realizes he doesn't want to play this game, once so familiar to him. He has no interest in trading barbs. He has no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-realizes-he-doesn-t-want-to-play-this-game-once-so-familiar-to-him/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kill him, a part of me says, a part I remember from the night I took him captive. Kill him before he makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kill-him-a-part-of-me-says-a-part-i-remember-from-the-night-i-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I have thought and thought since you were gone, and there is something I wish to say.' Cardan's face is serious, almost grave, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-have-thought-and-thought-since-you-were-gone-and-there-is-something/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It is said that faerie children are not like mortal children. They need little in the way of love. They need not be tucked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-is-said-that-faerie-children-are-not-like-mortal-children-they/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You should go.' 'This is my room,' he points out, affronted. 'And that's my wife.' 'So you keep telling everyone,' the Bomb says. 'But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-should-go-this-is-my-room-he-points-out-affronted-and-that-s-my/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Jude, he'd said, running a hand up my calf, are you afraid of me?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/jude-he-d-said-running-a-hand-up-my-calf-are-you-afraid-of-me/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The Roach clasps his hand on the back of my neck with a laugh. 'You did good, kid, you know that? You came out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-roach-clasps-his-hand-on-the-back-of-my-neck-with-a-laugh-you-did/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I recall that your hands were on her, but her eyes were on me,' Cardan returns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-recall-that-your-hands-were-on-her-but-her-eyes-were-on-me-cardan/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc says you will duel for love,' I say. 'Whose?' he asks, frowning. There is no banquet too abundant for a starving man. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-says-you-will-duel-for-love-i-say-whose-he-asks-frowning-there/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kiss me. Kiss me until I'm sick of it.” ― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kiss-me-kiss-me-until-i-m-sick-of-it-holly-black-the-cruel-prince/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“How do people like us take off our armour? One piece at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/how-do-people-like-us-take-off-our-armour-one-piece-at-a-time/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He grabs hold of my wrist. I am shocked by the sensation of his skin warm against mine. 'Take care,' he says, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-grabs-hold-of-my-wrist-i-am-shocked-by-the-sensation-of-his-skin/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Browse all 86 Cardan-greenbriar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan-greenbriar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king is going to make someone better at being one,\" Vivi says. \"Imagine if, in the mortal world, a lawyer passed the bar by killing another lawyer.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Holly Black" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-like-killing-a-king-is-going-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cardan-greenbriar" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-like-killing-a-king-is-going-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-li_2519884.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's ridiculous the way everyone acts like killing a king is going to make someone better at being one,\"…” — Holly Black", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Holly Black", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It's ridiculous the way everyone acts...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-like-killing-a-king-is-going-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-ridiculous-the-way-everyone-acts-like-killing-a-king-is-going-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```