George R. R. Martin Quotes

I'm pretty Sicilian if I've been crossed. I don't seek revenge, but I never forget. And I make it hard to repair, which is not a great quality because if people held me to that standard, no one would be around me - ever.

I don't want to be too power-hungry.

Power is so pleasant that men quickly learn to be greedy in the enjoyment of it, and to flatter themselves that patriotism requires them to be imperious.

Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will, never, I notice succeed.

People with real power never fear of losing it. People with control think of little else.

Control is not humble; control is arrogant.

He loves power. He loves control because others, you know, dad and stuff like that, but he's just a great guy. He's just a great guy.

Mistrust those in whom the urge to punish is strong.

Power calls to those who are hungry for power, and there are hungry idiots everywhere.

Dictators are actually very fearful themselves. Even when they're asleep, they're afraid that others will take their powers away.

The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.

Lady Limelight is a jealous lady. She wants all of your attention. You don't have any time to think of anything else but Lady Limelight, because pretty soon that light will be shinning on somebody else. So you better do it while you can.

A usurper always distrusts the whole world.

I tried to manipulate and control people, and I harbored resentment. I wanted to be forgiven, but I wouldn't forgive others.

I think envy motivates a lot of people.

Power has long been regarded as morally corrosive, and we often suspect the intentions of those who seek it.

There are probably several hundred thousand if we narrow the definition to include only those who in their search for money and power are ruthless and deceitful.

Anyone who seeks power wants absolute power.

If you really think that ambition, power, lust, desire are not as applicable in the media as in politics or on Wall Street or anywhere else, you're deluding yourself.

Money is finite; it's limited by a number and what you can buy with it. Power has no limits if you're willing to go far enough in order to get as much of it as you can.

I never forget. I never forgive. I can wait. I find it very easy to harbor a grudge. I have scores to settle.

Such is human nature, in the gigantic intellect, the envious temper, the ravenous ambition, and the rotten heart of Daniel Webster.

It all boils down to power and money.

... immoral, evil and a demagogue.

A somewhat greasy bald-headed man with his mouth open.... What animated him from end to end of his grotesque career was simply ambition—the ambition of a common man to get his hand upon the collar of his superiors, or, failing that, to get his thumb into their eyes.