Archers Quote by Michael J. Sullivan
““It’s not that we don’t trust you,” Royce said as Hadrian prepared the bow. “It’s just that we’ve learned over the years that honor among nobles is usually inversely proportionate to their rank. As a result, we prefer to rely on more concrete methods for motivations—such as self-preservation. You already know we don’t want you dead, but if you have ever been riding full tilt and had a horse buckle under you, you understand that death is always a possibility, and broken bones are almost a certainty.” “There’s also the danger of missing the horse completely,” Hadrian added. “I’m a good shot, but even the best archers have bad days. So to answer your question—yes, you can control your own horse.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Riyria Revelations, Book 2, 2011
Nobles often lack honor, so people rely on practical, self‑preserving motivations and accept risk as inevitable.
In simple terms: Honor is unreliable; use practical methods and accept risk.
Key Takeaway
Plan for risk and use reliable tactics.
Themes
trust
risk
practicality
honor
Mood
cautious
pragmatic
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- military leadership
- archery training
- risk assessment
- team coordination
Key Concepts
human nature
self‑preservation
probability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance trust and self‑preservation?
- When is risk‑taking justified?
A Different Perspective
Even practical methods cannot eliminate all danger; over‑reliance may breed complacency.
