---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s not that we don’t trust you,” Royce…"
description: "\"“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 usu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/michael-j-sullivan-3113_archers_it-s-not-that-we-don-t-trust-you-royce-s_688079.png"
---

#  It’s not that we don’t trust you,” Royce said as Hadrian…

![“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…” quote by Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/michael-j-sullivan-3113_archers_it-s-not-that-we-don-t-trust-you-royce-s_688079.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/michael-j-sullivan-3113_archers_it-s-not-that-we-don-t-trust-you-royce-s_688079.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/michael-j-sullivan-3113_archers_it-s-not-that-we-don-t-trust-you-royce-s_688079.png)

> ““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.””

[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.

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.

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