A sobering metaphor for life

Chaos isn't a pit.  Chaos is a ladder.  Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them.  

And some are given a chance to climb, they cling to the real or the gods or love.  

Only the ladder is real.  The climb is all there is.

~ Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, in the Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones quote for today's political environment.

A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of sheep.

~ Tywin Lannister
Power always thinks it has a great soul.

~ Thomas Jefferson