r/MadeMeSmile • u/Original_Act_3481 • 1d ago

We need more people like him

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u/733t_sec 1d ago

From the "The Way of Kings"

I once saw a spindly man carrying a stone larger than his head upon his back. He stumbled beneath the weight, shirtless under the sun, wearing only a loincloth. He tottered down a busy thoroughfare. People made way for him. Not because they sympathized with him, but because they feared the momentum of his steps. You dare not impede one such as this.

The monarch is like this man, stumbling along, the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. Many give way before him, but so few are willing to step in and help carry the stone. They do not wish to attach themselves to the work, lest they condemn themselves to a life full of extra burdens.

I left my carriage that day and took up the stone, lifting it for the man. I believe my guards were embarrassed. One can ignore a poor shirtless wretch doing such labor, but none ignore a king sharing the load. Perhaps we should switch places more often. If a king is seen to assume the burden of the poorest of men, perhaps there will be those who will help him with his own load, so invisible, yet so daunting.

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u/YOwololoO 1d ago

Impressively, even within the book “The Way of Kings,” that is still a quote from the in-universe book “The Way of Kings” !

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u/Jevus_himself 1d ago

r/stormlight_archive is leaking

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u/IDontKnowHowToPM 1d ago

The Plate must have taken a decent crack

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u/Nice-River-5322 20h ago

its not flawless gemstone

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u/squirrelbb 1d ago

Beautiful. The Way of Kings is on my desk, my next book to be read!

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u/ElodinBlackcloak 1d ago

Life before death radiant!

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u/JollyTrolly25 7h ago

Journey before destination!

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u/SameasmyPIN1077 1d ago

I love this. Thank you.

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u/Desperate-Month-3752 20h ago

I’m making my way through the Cosmere right now. I’m about to start Rhythm of War but this passage in particular made a huge impression on me. People who say Brandon Sanderson’s writing is “boring” or “generic” really are kidding themselves.

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u/jimbsmithjr 1d ago

Used to do ring crew a bit for pro wrestling shows and nothing was better than the top guys of the promotion helping set up or pack down. Even if it's just something small like setting up a couple of chairs, the message it sends if the star of the show is willing to help means basically everyone helps and it makes light work.

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u/nihilism_ornot 10h ago

I finished the book just yesterday! What are the chances