I wonder if,” Nynaeve said, “We sometimes put the White Tower - as an institution - before the people we serve. I wonder if we let it become a goal in itself, instead of a means to help us achieve greater goals.
“Devotion is important, Nynaeve. The White Tower protects and guides the world.”
“And yet, so many of us do it without families,” Nynaeve said. “Without love, without passion beyond our own particular interests. So even while we try to guide the world, we separate ourselves from it. We risk arrogance, Egwene. We always assume we know best, but risk making ourselves unable to fathom the people we claim to serve”.
“The Towers of Midnight”, 13th novel in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Substitute the words “White Tower” for “the government” or “the church” or “the UN” and we have a very astute political commentary, disguised as an allegory. I applaud you, both Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. That such a truth comes from the lips of my favourite character in the series is wonderful too. (via
athena-the-elusive)