--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So,” Mikhail said, shattering her…" description: "\"“So,” Mikhail said, shattering her thoughts as he pointed a fork at her, “when your master beat the living daylights out of you, did you actually deser..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_so-mikhail-said-shattering-her-thoughts_48327.jpg" --- # So,” Mikhail said, shattering her thoughts as he pointed a… ![“So,” Mikhail said, shattering her thoughts as he pointed a fork at her, “when your master beat the living daylights out of you, did you actually deserve it?” Ansel shot him a dark look, and Celaena straightened. Even Ilias was now listening, his lovely eyes fixed on her face. But Celaena stared…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_so-mikhail-said-shattering-her-thoughts_48327.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_so-mikhail-said-shattering-her-thoughts_48327.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_so-mikhail-said-shattering-her-thoughts_48327.jpg) > ““So,” Mikhail said, shattering her thoughts as he pointed a fork at her, “when your master beat the living daylights out of you, did you actually deserve it?” Ansel shot him a dark look, and Celaena straightened. Even Ilias was now listening, his lovely eyes fixed on her face. But Celaena stared right at Mikhail. “I suppose it depends on who is telling the story.” Ansel chuckled. “If Arobynn Hamel is telling the story, then yes, I suppose I did deserve it. I cost him a good deal of money—a kingdom’s worth of riches, probably. I was disobedient and disrespectful, and completely remorseless about what I did.” She didn’t break her stare, and Mikhail’s smile faltered. “But if the two hundred slaves that I freed are telling the story, then no, I suppose I didn’t deserve it.” None of them were smiling anymore. “Holy gods,” Ansel whispered. True silence fell over their table for a few heartbeats. Celaena resumed eating. She didn’t feel like talking to them after that.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage explores how moral judgment shifts depending on the narrator's perspective, highlighting the subjectivity of blame and redemption. **In simple terms:** Perspective shapes morality. Key Takeaway Narrative bias influences perceived justice. Themes subjectivity power dynamics redemption storytelling justice Mood tense reflective Type dialogue narrative excerpt When to use this quote - debating past actions - conflict resolution - character introspection Key Concepts moral relativism authority agency Practical Applications - writing complex character arcs - designing moral dilemmas in games Questions to Reflect On - How does the teller's identity alter the moral weight of an act? - Can an act be both deserved and undeserved simultaneously? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ansel Whispered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ansel-whispered-698681/) [Celaena Resumed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-resumed-698679/) [Celaena Stared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-stared-698678/) [Face Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face-celaena-441204/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Heartbeats Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heartbeats-celaena-698680/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lovely eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovely-eyes/) ## Related quotes > [“Enough! We have enough enemies as it is! There are worse things out there to face!" Celaena slowly turned to him, her face splattered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/enough-we-have-enough-enemies-as-it-is-there-are-worse-things-out/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Why?” Celaena dared ask. “Why answer? Why do I need to be the King’s Champion?” Elena lifted her face toward the moonlight streaming into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/why-celaena-dared-ask-why-answer-why-do-i-need-to-be-the-king-s/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She sensed the pirate grabbing for her shoulder and was on her feet before his fingers could graze the black wool of her cloak.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-sensed-the-pirate-grabbing-for-her-shoulder-and-was-on-her-feet/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Who’s the client?” “I don’t know. 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He should know how kind he is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-stein/i-care-about-cameron-i-more-than-care-he-s-wonderful-and-he-should/) [Charlotte Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-stein/) > [When a woman isn't beautiful, people always say, 'You have lovely eyes, you have lovely hair.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/when-a-woman-isn-t-beautiful-people-always-say-you-have-lovely-eyes/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [“She was lovely with eyes that captivated your heart, a smile that drew your mind, and a presence that captured your soul. She was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-sophia-a-b/she-was-lovely-with-eyes-that-captivated-your-heart-a-smile-that-drew/) [Victoria Sophia A.B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-sophia-a-b/) > [They were lovely, your eyes, but you didn't know where to look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgos-seferis/they-were-lovely-your-eyes-but-you-didn-t-know-where-to-look/) [Giorgos Seferis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgos-seferis/) > [Do u have a map cuz I keep getting lost in ur lovely eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hack/do-u-have-a-map-cuz-i-keep-getting-lost-in-ur-lovely-eyes/) [Kate Hack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hack/) > [For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/for-attractive-lips-speak-words-of-kindness/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levenson/for-attractive-lips-speak-words-of-kindness-for-lovely-eyes-seek-out/) [Sam Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levenson/) > [“DONT praise her lovely EYES, UNLESS you have a LOVELY FACE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaikh-mustafa/dont-praise-her-lovely-eyes-unless-you-have-a-lovely-face/) [shaikh mustafa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaikh-mustafa/) > [“Her face, especially those lovely eyes, filled with amusement. She whispered, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?” I laughed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-underwood/her-face-especially-those-lovely-eyes-filled-with-amusement-she/) [Bobby Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-underwood/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? 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Even Ilias was now listening, his lovely eyes fixed on her face. But Celaena stared right at Mikhail. “I suppose it depends on who is telling the story.” Ansel chuckled. “If Arobynn Hamel is telling the story, then yes, I suppose I did deserve it. I cost him a good deal of money—a kingdom’s worth of riches, probably. I was disobedient and disrespectful, and completely remorseless about what I did.” She didn’t break her stare, and Mikhail’s smile faltered. “But if the two hundred slaves that I freed are telling the story, then no, I suppose I didn’t deserve it.” None of them were smiling anymore. “Holy gods,” Ansel whispered. True silence fell over their table for a few heartbeats. Celaena resumed eating. She didn’t feel like talking to them after that.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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