ned stark:“If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die. … A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.”

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image showing ned stark:“If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die. … A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.”

myjupitermoon on August 13rd, 2018 at 18:16 UTC »

Jon following Ned's teaching, but I found this quote so sad and absolutely heartbreaking as to how lonely Jon really was in his role as LC:

"My lord, will you sup with us? Owen, shove over and make room for Jon." Jon wanted nothing more. No, he had to tell himself, those days are gone. The realization twisted in his belly like a knife. They had chosen him to rule. The Wall was his, and their lives were his as well. A lord may love the men that he commands, he could hear his lord father saying, but he cannot be a friend to them. One day he may need to sit in judgment on them, or send them forth to die. "Another day," the lord commander lied. "Edd, best see to your own supper. I have work to finish."

SnabelArne on August 13rd, 2018 at 18:20 UTC »

I really like how Ned is still talked about so often in the books. He is respected by everyone, even the ones who would consider him an enemy. Almost everyone looks up to him, even the northern mountain and hill clans respected him and accepted the Starks rule. It shows that you may use underhanded tactics, deceit, murder and do all manner of horrible things to get what you want, but you will still die eventually just like everyone else. It's what you'll be remembered for after you're dead that matters. The memory of someone can shape nations and affect people more than you might think. And that's what I love about the books.

PM_ME_UR_HIP_DIMPLES on August 13rd, 2018 at 18:24 UTC »

"I fought, I lost, and now...I rest. But you...Lord Commander, will be fighting their battles forever"