Mistborn: The Final Empire

affable

apathy.

indolent,

unduly

sagaciousness.

“That’s the funny thing about arriving somewhere, Vin,” he said with a wink. “Once you’re there, the only thing you can really do is leave again.

“I don’t know,” Vin said. “Once maybe I would have thought you a fool, but … well, that’s kind of what trust is, isn’t it? A willful self-delusion? You have to shut out that voice that whispers about betrayal, and just hope that your friends aren’t going to hurt you.”

Vin shook her head. “Not right now. You said their prayer—is this the religion you believe in, then?” “I believe in them all.” Vin frowned. “None of them contradict each other?” Sazed smiled. “Oh, often and frequently they do. But I respect the truths behind them all—and I believe in the need for each one to be remembered.”

“My dear friend,” Breeze replied, “the entire point of life is to find ways to get others to do your work for you. Don’t you know anything about basic economics?”

What they do not realize—and what you must realize—is that manipulating others is something that all people do. In fact, manipulation is at the core of our social interaction.”