--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked…" description: "\"Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity. “You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,” Had..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/michael-j-sullivan-3113_defense_been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looki_2348676.jpg" --- # Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at… ![“Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity. “You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,” Hadrian said, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Royce smiled at him. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?” quote by Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/michael-j-sullivan-3113_defense_been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looki_2348676.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/michael-j-sullivan-3113_defense_been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looki_2348676.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/michael-j-sullivan-3113_defense_been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looki_2348676.jpg) > “Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity. “You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,” Hadrian said, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Royce smiled at him. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?” [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters discuss lack of defensive planning, highlighting improvisation and overconfidence. **In simple terms:** They ignore proper defense. Key Takeaway Plan before acting. Themes strategy overconfidence improvisation Mood cautious analytical Type strategic literary When to use this quote - battle planning - project management - emergency response Key Concepts Leadership military tactics team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What defenses are you neglecting? - How can you improve preparedness? A Different Perspective Improvisation can backfire without a solid plan. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Forehead Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forehead-royce-5710236/) [Foreheads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreheads/) [Hadrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian/) [Hadrian Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian-said-562166/) [Help yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-yourself/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Looking Around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-around/) [Meddling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meddling/) [Meddling Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meddling-royce-5710235/) [Pausing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pausing/) [Plan Hadrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan-hadrian-5710237/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Royce Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royce-asked-1744693/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Sweat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweat/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wipe/) ## Related quotes > [What’s going on?” Royce asked as throngs of people suddenly moved toward him from the field and the castle interior. “I mentioned that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/what-s-going-on-royce-asked-as-throngs-of-people-suddenly-moved/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [You think he’s still alive?” Royce asked, nodding his head toward Alric. “Sure,” Hadrian replied without bothering to look. “He’s probably sleeping. Why do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-think-he-s-still-alive-royce-asked-nodding-his-head-toward-alric/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [If this keeps up, we’re going to own Melengar,” Hadrian mentioned. “What’s this we stuff?” Royce asked. “You’re retired, remember?” “Oh? So you’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/if-this-keeps-up-we-re-going-to-own-melengar-hadrian-mentioned-what-s/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [There you are!” he shouted at them. “Father has half the castle turned out looking for you.” “Us?” Hadrian asked. “Yes.” Fanen nodded. “He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/there-you-are-he-shouted-at-them-father-has-half-the-castle-turned/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Hadrian shook his head and sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult? They’re probably not bad people—just poor. You know, taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hadrian-shook-his-head-and-sighed-why-do-you-have-to-make-everything/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [There are still eight of us,” Guy pointed out. “Not exactly an even fight.” “I was thinking the same thing,” Mauvin said. “Sadly, there’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/there-are-still-eight-of-us-guy-pointed-out-not-exactly-an-even-fight/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“You're not going to charge us for the tower, I hope," Hadrian said. "But if you are, it was Royce's fault and should come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-re-not-going-to-charge-us-for-the-tower-i-hope-hadrian-said-but/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/another-last-minute-good-deed-job-royce-grumbled-as-he-stuffed/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [You didn’t really hold back on Braga so Pickering could kill him, did you?” Royce asked after the two were left alone in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-didn-t-really-hold-back-on-braga-so-pickering-could-kill-him-did/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Wait a minute,” Hadrian said. “Was it a beat-up brown leather notebook? About this big?” He gestured with his hands. “Yes,” the Patriarch said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/wait-a-minute-hadrian-said-was-it-a-beat-up-brown-leather-notebook/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“How's your foot?” Hadrian asked. “It hurts.” “He had a good hold.” “Bit right through my boot.” “Yeah, that looked painful.” “So why exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/how-s-your-foot-hadrian-asked-it-hurts-he-had-a-good-hold-bit-right/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Royce smiled. “See, you can always count on people doing what is best for themselves.” “Like I did?” Hadrian said. The smile left Royce’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/royce-smiled-see-you-can-always-count-on-people-doing-what-is-best/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [You don’t win battles with hate. Anger and hate can make you brave, make you strong, but they also make you stupid. You end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-don-t-win-battles-with-hate-anger-and-hate-can-make-you-brave/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“After catching an arrow in the back and passing out in Tom the Feather’s barnyard, Hadrian had woken up on a comfortable bed surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/after-catching-an-arrow-in-the-back-and-passing-out-in-tom-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Hadrian leapt to his feet. Royce was already up. “Don’t bother,” Esrahaddon told them. “She’s dead, and there’s nothing you can do. The monster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hadrian-leapt-to-his-feet-royce-was-already-up-don-t-bother/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## More by Michael J. Sullivan > [“Bah!” Magnus scoffed. “Humans always blame dwarves. A baby goes missing and it was a dwarf that stole it. A princess runs off with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/bah-magnus-scoffed-humans-always-blame-dwarves-a-baby-goes-missing/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Hands could be such expressive things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hands-could-be-such-expressive-things/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Stealing swords,” Royce muttered mostly to himself. “Okay, let’s take a look at this tower. The sooner I see it, the sooner I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/stealing-swords-royce-muttered-mostly-to-himself-okay-let-s-take-a/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Happiness comes from moving toward something. When you run away, ofttimes you bring your misery with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/happiness-comes-from-moving-toward-something-when-you-run-away/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,” Royce said. “Not even a little jeweled dagger.” “Lords no.” Albert looked appalled.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/i-notice-you-didn-t-include-a-blade-with-your-new-attire-royce-said/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“You're not going to charge us for the tower, I hope," Hadrian said. "But if you are, it was Royce's fault and should come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-re-not-going-to-charge-us-for-the-tower-i-hope-hadrian-said-but/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Verily, for nine hundred years have I lost. Everyone I knew is dead, the empire gone, and who knows in what state the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/verily-for-nine-hundred-years-have-i-lost-everyone-i-knew-is-dead-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Your Majesty?” Alric looked up at the thief with a scowl. “I just want to say for the record that as far as royal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/your-majesty-alric-looked-up-at-the-thief-with-a-scowl-i-just-want-to/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“There always seemed to be a better way, except when it came to people. Once broken, people couldn't be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/there-always-seemed-to-be-a-better-way-except-when-it-came-to-people/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/another-last-minute-good-deed-job-royce-grumbled-as-he-stuffed/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [If this hast been done to language, I fear to know the fate of all else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/if-this-hast-been-done-to-language-i-fear-to-know-the-fate-of-all-else/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“When going forward doesn't get you where you need to be, going back will at least keep you moving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/when-going-forward-doesn-t-get-you-where-you-need-to-be-going-back/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“A lot can be determined by the choices we make, even if the action is initiated by self-preservation. Many ... no, most ... of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/a-lot-can-be-determined-by-the-choices-we-make-even-if-the-action-is/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Hadrian leapt to his feet. Royce was already up. “Don’t bother,” Esrahaddon told them. “She’s dead, and there’s nothing you can do. The monster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hadrian-leapt-to-his-feet-royce-was-already-up-don-t-bother/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Royce cast a harsh and anxious look at the prince. “What?” Alric asked. “I thought we discussed the importance of keeping a low profile.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/royce-cast-a-harsh-and-anxious-look-at-the-prince-what-alric-asked-i/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) [Explore all 138 Michael J. Sullivan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## More Defense quotes > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [My last defense / Is the present tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-brooks/my-last-defense-is-the-present-tense/) [Gwendolyn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-brooks/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say I have a bad attitude. But have you ever stopped to check yours?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-marie/you-say-i-have-a-bad-attitude-but-have-you-ever-stopped-to-check-yours/) [Tasha Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-marie/) > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy. You've got to release six, eight, ten years back tax returns. Take the hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/he-should-release-the-tax-returns-tomorrow-it-s-crazy-you-ve-got-to/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) [Browse all 2,426 Defense quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity. “You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,” Hadrian said, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead. 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