--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Royce smiled. “See, you can always count…" description: "\"“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 lips. “You’r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/997/michael-j-sullivan-3113_hadrian-said_royce-smiled-see-you-can-always-count-on_2938453.png" --- # Royce smiled. “See, you can always count on people doing… ![“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 lips. “You’re a freak of nature or the world’s greatest fool. I’m still trying to figure that out.” quote by Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/997/michael-j-sullivan-3113_hadrian-said_royce-smiled-see-you-can-always-count-on_2938453.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/997/michael-j-sullivan-3113_hadrian-said_royce-smiled-see-you-can-always-count-on_2938453.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/997/michael-j-sullivan-3113_hadrian-said_royce-smiled-see-you-can-always-count-on_2938453.png) > ““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 lips. “You’re a freak of nature or the world’s greatest fool. I’m still trying to figure that out.”” [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. People often act in self‑interest, but motives can be ambiguous and self‑deceptive **In simple terms:** Self‑interest masks true motives Key Takeaway Question assumptions about others Themes trust motivation human nature Mood intriguing reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - character analysis - ethical dilemmas - leadership decisions Key Concepts psychology philosophy literature Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to act selfishly? - How can we discern genuine intent? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex moral choices ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hadrian Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian-said-562166/) [Left Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-royce-4368876/) [Royce Lips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royce-lips-4368875/) [Royce Smiled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royce-smiled-4368874/) [Said Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-smile-893020/) ## Related quotes > [“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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looking-around-at-the-hive-of/) [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/) > [“It was said that there was a smile at the corners of his lips from the moment of his birth, and from early boyhood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-bernieres/it-was-said-that-there-was-a-smile-at-the-corners-of-his-lips-from/) [Louis de Bernières](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-bernieres/) > [He said can I take your smile home with me???? I say never in your wildest Dream..B-) :o :D ahhahahaha xDD](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix-mae/he-said-can-i-take-your-smile-home-with-me-i-say-never-in-your/) [Nix Mae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix-mae/) > [Tell me about yourself." "Myself?" He looks confused. "Yes," I say, patting the mattress. "You know all there is to know," he says, sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/tell-me-about-yourself-myself-he-looks-confused-yes-i-say-patting-the/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [He stood and went to read my pin as I approached. “America, is it?” he said, a smile playing on his lips. “Yes, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/he-stood-and-went-to-read-my-pin-as-i-approached-america-is-it-he/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [“I cannot remember when I have had such good food," Ranulf said, with a smile of satisfaction bending his usually firm mouth. "I'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-sinclair/i-cannot-remember-when-i-have-had-such-good-food-ranulf-said-with-a/) [Michele Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-sinclair/) > [“You were fine," she said, a smile quirking up at the corner of her mouth. "I was fantastic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-iacopelli/you-were-fine-she-said-a-smile-quirking-up-at-the-corner-of-her-mouth/) [Jennifer Iacopelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-iacopelli/) > [As my mom always said, 'You'd rather have smile lines than frown lines.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-crawford/as-my-mom-always-said-you-d-rather-have-smile-lines-than-frown-lines/) [Cindy Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-crawford/) ## 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 Hadrian Said quotes > [“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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/been-meddling-have-you-royce-asked-looking-around-at-the-hive-of/) [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 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/) > [“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/) [Browse all 9 Hadrian Said quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian-said-562166/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“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 lips. “You’re a freak of nature or the world’s greatest fool. I’m still trying to figure that out.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael J. 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