Some doors close forever... others open in most unexpected places.

Beauty is a subjective quality.

— I've always hated the bells. They ring for horror. A dead king, a city under siege.
— A wedding.
— Exactly.

— The powerful have always preyed on the powerless. That's how they became powerful in the first place.
— Perhaps. And perhaps we've grown so used to horror, we assume there's no other way.

Information is the key. You need to learn your enemy's strengths and strategies. You need to learn which of your friends are not your friends.

The contents of a man's letters are more valuable than the contents of ms purse.

— When you imagine yourself up there, how do you look? Does the crown fit? Do all the lords and ladies simper and bow, the ones who sneered at you for years?
— It's hard for them to simper and bow without heads.
— A man with great ambition and no morals — I wouldn't bet against you.

— Most men like what they see.
— I'm not like most men.
— That's what most men say.

I choose my allies carefully, and my enemies more carefully still.

— The Targaryens built this city to withstand a siege and to provide escape if necessary.
— I'm not escaping. Strange as it sounds, I'm the captain of the ship, and if the ship goes down, I go with her.
— That is good to hear. Though I'm sure many captains say the same while their ship is afloat.

Any fool with a bit of luck can find himself born into power. But earning it for yourself, that takes work.

I suppose it's hard for a fanatic to admit a mistake. Isn't that the whole point of being a fanatic? You're always right.

But he would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes.

— Tell me something, Varys. Who do you truly serve?
— The realm, my lord. Someone must.