Book: Patriot

- Of course, sir. I forced everyone to write that they were signing up voluntarily.

Regiments led by the Ovnets fought with the city's enemies throughout the Sto Plain, causing incredible damage. Sometimes even to enemy troops [According to a tradition cultivated for centuries by military strategists of a certain type, the main indicator of the success of military operations is gigantic losses. Well, if they are carried by the opposite side, this is already a complete triumph].

Nobby was leading a donkey on a string, which clearly liked its new owner. Animals generally loved Nobby. He smelled like one of his own.

- Shnobi, - Colon sighed. - You returned not only with a shield, but also with a bag of gold teeth and fifteen pairs of boots that were still hot, and on a cart stolen from somewhere.

It's much easier to imagine a bunch of people entrenched in some smoky room, weaving conspiracies for a bottle of brandy, spoiled his power, insolent from his election. You cling to this view, because otherwise you'll have to accept one fact: sometimes the bad things happen because of ordinary people that combed the dogs and tell the kids bedtime stories. At one point, these ordinary people go out and do horrible things to other ordinary people. Oh no, much easier to blame everything on Them. If They did, no one is innocent. But if it's Us, then what am I? I'm a part of Us. It cannot be otherwise. Part of Them I certainly do not consider myself. We are always a part of Us. And the bad things They do.

Carrot has always acted in accordance with the conviction that personal and important - is not the same thing. Needless to say, Vimes shared this view. You always want to believe that in a difficult moment doing the right thing and reasonable. And yet at the sight of a man who not only thinks, but acts right creepy. It's as unnerving as having a poor cleric.

After the first battle of a Hundred Lattes I have formulated a strategy, which faithfully served me for many battles. Aforesaid is the following: if the enemy's impregnable fortress, let him stay there and next.

- Were you planning on cold-bloodedly shot these people, Sergeant?
- No, sir. A warning shot in the head, and that's all.

Neighbor... ha! What is behind this word?... People live for years side by side, on the way to work greet each other with a friendly nod, and then it happens some kind of nonsense - and now someone from the back stick the garden fork.

It is impossible to be so simple, so selectively, subtly stupid, not being very smart. It's like with actors. Only the most talented of them is able to convincingly pretend to be incompetent.

The desert has fallen the night, suddenly pouring Sands dark violet. Light diamond stars with ease through the clear air, reminding the thoughtful observer that the reason religion born in the deserts and at higher elevations. Not seeing over my head nothing but bottomless infinity, the person experiences a desperate need anything to dissociate itself from it.

One of the universal rules of happiness reads: "Beware any useful device, if it weighs less than the instruction on its use."

In those days people each other trust, are you, Sergeant? <...> On our street, nobody in their right mind would not come to lock the door.
- That's it, I'm about the same.
- And all because Purley all - even castles. What good to put on the door lock, if it also steal?

Taxation, gentlemen, very much like dairy farming. Main objective: to get the most milk with the least Moo.