->''Some of [the thieves] were large men who took what they wanted by sheer force. Others were small and wiry men who stole by stealth. As Althalus approached manhood, he realized that he'd never be a giant. Sheer bulk was apparently not a part of his heritage. He also realized that when he achieved his full growth, he'd no longer be able to wriggle his way through small openings into interesting places where interesting things were kept. He would be medium sized, but he vowed to himself that he would not be mediocre. It occurred to him that wit was probably superior to bull-like strength or mouselike stealth anyway, so that was the route he chose.''
-->-- ''Literature/TheRedemptionOfAlthalus'', by David and Leigh Eddings

->''"And you expect me to see all your manipulating as right? And wise? Benevolent, following some master plan I'm too stupid or impatient to see? You think manipulating folk isn't the greatest evil there ''is?''"\\
"Lass, lass, manipulating folk is what humans ''do''. If ye knew of my youth, ye'd know just how much I hate mages who rule, and being manipulated... but I learned down the centuries that 'tis best to do some steering of folk before the steering is done to ye. [[GambitPileup Because, rest assured, 'twill be]]. I can at least be sure of my own motives, and that I've thought about them, though whether they be 'good' or 'evil' is for others to judge. The motives of others, I can never be so sure about -- until I see the glee in their eyes reflecting off the bright blade aimed at my heart... as they swing it down."''
-->-- ''[[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Elminster's Daughter]]'', by Ed Greenwood

->''"My favorite three questions are, ''What do I want?'', ''What do I have?'', and ''How can I best use the latter to get the former?''"''
-->-- '''Bella''', ''Fanfic/{{Luminosity}}''

->''When Loki had been a youth and easily bored, he had gone exploring in the palace, and had found the library. Better than any dragon's hoard, to his mind: gold shined bright and well-forged blades were always useful, but more useful than any trinket was knowledge.''
-->-- ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/210891 Can't Go Back the Same Way You Came]]'', a ''Film/{{Thor}}'' fanfic

->''"Why fight when you can negotiate?"''
-->-- '''Captain Jack Sparrow''', ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest''

->'''Frank:''' You're very good.\\
'''Lai:''' What do you mean?\\
'''Frank:''' The moment you saw [[RetiredBadass those pictures in the house]] you were setting me up to get involved in all this. [[TastesLikeFriendship Breakfast]], giving the excuse to the cop to help me, one lie after another.\\
'''[[MeaningfulName Lai]]:''' Not everything is a lie.\\
'''Frank:''' Name one thing that isn't.\\
'''Lai:''' [[RescueSex What happened in the house, between us]]. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis That — was — not a lie]].
-->-- '''Film/TheTransporter'''

->''"If you look at [[TheChessmaster Hunt's]] operational history, and I have, he invariably favors misdirection over confrontation."''
-->-- '''Sean Ambrose''', ''Film/MissionImpossibleII''

->''"Oh, baby, you are so talented... and [[UntrustingCommunity they]] are so DUMB!"''
-->-- '''Sheriff Bart''', [[AsideComment to himself (and the camera)]], ''Film/BlazingSaddles''

->'''[[PlayerCharacter The Courier]]:''' Maybe you're willing to listen to reason.\\
'''[[FinalBoss Legate Lanius]]:''' I see you fight with words, like all beneath the flag of [[Characters/FalloutNewVegasNewCalifornia the Bear]]. Let us hope your skill with weapons proves greater.
-->-- ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''

->''And that was how Kazuma Baratheon took Riverrun with nothing more than two girls and some cookies.\\
The reign of the Trickster King had well and truly begun.''
-->-- ''Fanfic/AClashOfNeets''

->''"You're a little devil, Cassel Sharpe," Grandad says under his breath.\\
''Clever as the devil and twice as pretty.'' I force myself not to smile.''
-->-- ''Literature/TheCurseWorkers: White Cat''

->''All warfare is based on deception.''
-->--''[[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu The Art of War]]''
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