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And who are you, the proud Lord said that I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know. In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws. And, mine are as long and sharp, my Lord as long and sharp as yours. And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere, but now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear. Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall, and not a soul to hear.
George R. R. Martin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the idea that regardless of status or outward appearances, everyone has their own strength and power.

In this quote from George R. R. Martin, the speaker asserts that despite the superficial differences in status or appearance, such as the 'coat of gold' or 'coat of red', true power and strength lie within. The 'lion' symbolizes strength, and the reference to claws signifies that everyone possesses their own capabilities and defenses. The reflection on the fallen Lord of Castamere illustrates the transient nature of power and the inevitability of fate, reminding us that pride and status are ultimately fleeting.

Themes

PowerStrengthPrideEqualityStatusFate

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about resilience, one might quote this to illustrate that true power comes from within, regardless of external appearances.

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But a voice inside her whispered, There are no heroes, and she remembered what Lord Petyr had said to her, here in this very hall. 'Life is not a song, sweetling,' he'd told her, 'You may learn that one day to your sorrow.' In life, the monsters win, she told herself.
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I write from this tight third-person viewpoint, where each chapter is seen through the eyes of one individual character. When I'm writing that character, I become that character and identify with that character.
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