Bargain Quotes

“Your shadow is bought and paid for, and your death will not remit that payment. You can go shadowless into the shadowless world, and your death will only be one last dark thing on my long dark road. It will hurt me but I do not care. It is all but over.”
― Erin Bow, Plain Kate

“I heard you,' he said softly. 'When I was- gone.'

I began to tense at the lingering terror that had driven me from sleep these past few nights- the terror I doubted I'd soon recover from. 'Those minutes,' I said once he began making long, soothing strokes down my thigh. 'Rhys... I never want to feel that again.'

'Now you know how I felt Under the Mountain.'

I craned my neck to look up at him. 'Never lie to me again. Not about that.'

'But about other things?'

I pinched his arm hard enough that he laughed and batted away my hand. 'I couldn't let all you ladies take the credit for saving us. Some male had to claim a bit of glory so you don't trample us until the end of time with your bragging.'

I punched his arm this time.

But he wrapped his arm around my waist and squeezed, breathing me in. 'I heard you, even in death. It made me look back. Made me stay- a little longer.'

Before going to that place I had once tried to describe to the Carver.

'When it's time to go there,' I said quietly, 'we go together.'

'It's a bargain,' he said, and kissed me gently.

I murmured back onto his lips, 'Yes, it is.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“O, sir,' murmured Sheila, still on her knees, 'please forgive me.'

'Forgive you! 0, la, la, la!' cunningly cried the droll, and strutting like an actor. 'Forgiveness is easy, is it not? O, yes, it is nothing. You are a young woman full of pride. O. yes! - but that is nothing. And full of penitence, and that is nothing, too. Pride is nothing, penitence nothing, forgiveness nothing, but even a bargain in farthings must be paid to be made, and I am a plain business man. What costs nothing brings no balm, and you would not like that, you would not like that, now would you?' (“The Bogey Man”)”
― A.E. Coppard, Dusky Ruth and Other Stories

“Develop a specific alternative as a fallback if the negotiation fails. If you can’t walk away, you can’t say no. Too often, cooperative people leave themselves without choices at the bargaining table. They have no alternatives planned if negotiations fail. Coaching note: your preparation must always include plan B. Life will go on if there is no deal, so find out what your alternatives are, work on improving them, and bring a clear vision of them with you to the negotiation. Remember the lesson of Janie Rail in chapter 6. Build your own railroad if you have to. There is always an alternative.”
― G. Richard Shell, Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People

“You came to claim Tamlin?' Amarantha said- it wasn't a question, but a challenge. 'Well, as it happens, I'm bored to tears of his sullen silence. I was worried when he didn't flinch while I played with darling Clare, when he didn't even show those lovely claws...

'But I'll make a bargain with you, human,' she said, and warning bells pealed in my mind. Unless your life depends on it, Alis had said. 'You complete three tasks of my choosing- three tasks to prove how deep that human sense of loyalty and love runs, and Tamlin is yours. Just three little challenges to prove your dedication, to prove to me, to darling Jurian, that your kind can indeed love true, and you can have your High Lord.' She turned to Tamlin. 'Consider it a favour, High Lord- these human dogs can make our kind so lust-blind that we lose all common sense. Better for you to see her true nature now.'

'I want his curse broken, too,' I blurted. She raised a brow, her smile growing, revealing far too many of those white teeth. 'I complete all three of your tasks, and his curse is broken, and we- and all his court- can leave here. And remain free forever,' I added. Magic was specific, Alis had said- that was how Amarantha had tricked them. I wouldn't let loopholes be my downfall.

'Of course,' Amarantha purred. 'I'll throw in another element, if you don't mind- just to see if you're worthy of one of our kind, if you're smart enough to deserve him.' Jurian's eye swivelled wildly, and she clicked her tongue at it. The eye stopped moving. 'I'll give you a way out girl,' she went on. 'You'll complete all the tasks- or, when you can't stand it anymore, all you have to do is answer one question.' I could barely hear her above the blood pounding in my ears. 'A riddle. You solve the riddle, and his curse will be broken. Instantaneously. I won't even need to lift my finger and he'll be free. Say the right answer, and he's yours. You can answer it at any time- but if you answer incorrectly...' She pointed, and I didn't need to turn to know she gestured to Clare.

I turned her words over, looking for traps and loopholes within her phrasing. But it all sounded right. 'And what if I fail your tasks?'

Her smile became almost grotesque, and she rubbed a thumb across the dome of her ring. 'If you fail a task, there won't be anything left of you for me to play with.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“A good negotiator sometimes win more out of a deal than he expected.”
― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

“Negotiation means willfully entering into a professional conflict.”
― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

“During the negotiation information is more valuable than eloquence.”
― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

“If you have quick verbal skills, use humor to deflect attacks. A quip instead of a counterattack can ease tension, reduce the impact of the other person's aggression, and help build the relationship. When in doubt, use self-deprecating humor such as, “Oh, I see, all you want me to do is to cave in, go belly up, and hand you everything you want. I guess I must come across as the weakest player in the universe.” And with tough bargainers, don't give in too soon; otherwise they might worry that they could have gained more and left too much on the table. In such cases, you must let them believe that they have wrested every last concession from you.”
― Allan R. Cohen, Influence Without Authority

“Living in 21st century civilisation entails a neo-Faustian bargain. In return for your ‘soul’ (or at least your fundamental authenticity, let’s say), you will receive extensive benefits. Immortality isn’t yet available but relative affluence, a well-distracted sense of amortality and longevity are clear benefits. Freud (1908/2001) understood the bargain involved in surrendering thus, repressing the depths of our instincts and giving huge status to the superego. Society will soothe your anxieties if you smile rather than frown, and always reply ‘Fine’ to the meaningless ‘How are you?’ An occasional, darkly leaky ‘Mustn’t grumble’ may be tolerated. Endorse the status quo, have children and don’t talk about suffering and death. Absolutely avoid ‘that odd shit’ spoken by weirdos like Rust Cohle (see Chapter 4). For the superior neo-Faustian package of enhanced benefits, help to boost capitalism with entrepreneurial projects; support (indeed be part of) religion, psychotherapy, the self-help industry and the rhetoric of well-being and flourishing; distance yourself from civilisation’s discontents, especially DRs; do not get visibly ill, old or die, or be very discreet or upbeat about it when it happens. If you ever consider defecting to the DR club, you may rapidly lose all benefits.”
― Colin Feltham, Depressive Realism: Interdisciplinary perspectives

“-every night for seven months and seven days, he must bring her a cube of fresh human flesh. He may cut it from himself or from another, whichever he prefers.”
― Holly Black, The Stolen Heir

“You owe me nothing, Beauty,” he assured me. “Your only onus is to remain; companionship and support were never part of the bargain.”
I laughed, which Beast didn’t seem to like. “No, but companionship and support aren’t usually effective bargaining tools anyway. Too fickle. Too difficult to enforce.”
― Emily Poirier, Beauty and Beast: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling

“I couldn't bear to part with my sister's gift."
"You should make him think you didn't even want to have it. Tell him that you made a promise to your father."
I couldn't resist saying, "He bargained with you himself. Do you think he's fool enough to believe you'd try to save me?"
His eyes widened and jaw hardened. With a little flicker of pleasure, I realized I had finally hurt him.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“In contrast to positional bargaining, the principled negotiation method of focusing on basic interests, mutually satisfying options, and fair standards typically results in a wise agreement. The method permits you to reach a gradual consensus on a joint decision efficiently.”
― Roger Fisher, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

“When money can't bargain the heart of someone who doesn't love, that's where people will think what is the value of LOVE”
― J.S. Dirga, Saga Moon Poem

“When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage however, that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind for making a bargain.”
― Lawrence Sterne

“I was tempted to tell the whole truth. But in moments when a confession was about to seep out, I stopped myself, because I knew it would never work like that. Admitting to killing the other three would only make the case that I killed Jason even stronger. So there was no point in trying to make that imaginary bargain with the world. Please, punish me for what I have done. And believe I did not do the thing you think I did. It was not an option.”
― Sascha Rothchild, Blood Sugar

“...it is when I'm buying books that I encounter the greediest people: the person selling his collection who will push to extract every last penny that they're worth from the bookseller they're selling them to, will inevitably be the same customer who will drive the price down to the very margin when he's buying books. And while this is arguably good business sense, it has rather an unsavory whiff about it. There's no sense of fairness. Conversely, the customer who brings in books to sell and is happy with whatever you offer him will be the one who doesn't attempt to push the price down when he's buying books from you.”
― Shaun Bythell, Confessions of a Bookseller

“A life for a life- but what if the life offered as payment also meant losing three others? The thought alone was enough to steel me, anchor me.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Oh no,' he drawled. 'No one's learned of out little bargain yet- and you've managed to keep it quiet. Shame riding you a bit hard?”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“We made a bargain,' Rhysand said. I flinched as he brushed a stray lock of my hair from my face. He ran his fingers down my cheek- a gentle caress. The throne room was all too quiet as he spoke his next words to Tamlin. 'One week with me at the Night Court every month in exchange for my healing services after her first task.' He raised my left arm to reveal the tattoo, whose ink didn't shine as much as the paint on my body. 'For the rest of her life,' he added casually, but his eyes were now upon Amarantha.

The Faerie Queen straightened a little bit- even Jurian's eye seemed fixed on me, on Rhysand. For the rest of my life- he said it as if it were going to be a long, long while.

He thought I was going to beat her tasks.

I stared at his profile, at the elegant nose and sensuous lips. Games- Rhysand liked to play games, and it seemed I was now to be a key player in whatever this one was.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“When you healed my arm... You didn't need to bargain with me. You could have demanded every single week of the year.' My brows knit together as he turned, already half-consumed by the dark. 'Every single week, and I would have said yes.' It wasn't entirely a question, but I needed the answer.

A half smile appeared on his sensuous lips. 'I know,' he said, and vanished.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“As for what else I want from you...' He gestured to the house behind us. 'I'll tell you tomorrow at breakfast. For now, clean yourself up. Rest.' That rage flickered in his eyes again at the dress, the hair. 'Take the stairs on the right, one level down. You room is the first door.'

'Not a dungeon cell?' Perhaps it was foolish to reveal that fear, to suggest it to him.

But Rhys half turned, brows lifting. 'You are not a prisoner, Feyre. You made a bargain, and I am calling it in. You will be my guest here with the privileges of a member of my household. None of my subjects are going to touch you, hurt you, or so much as think ill of you here.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“I whispered to the lurking dark behind me, 'What is your price?'
...
Company. Send me company.

I opened my mouth, but them said, 'To- eat?'

A laugh that made my skin crawl. To tell me of life.
...
'It's a bargain,' I breathed. The skin along my left forearm tingled. The thing behind me... I could have sworn I felt it smile.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“I'll make a bargain with you.'
...
Cassian maintained a casual stance. 'If you do an hour of exercises right now, I'll owe you a favour.'

'I don't need any favours from you.'

'Then name your price.' He struggled to calm his racing heart. 'An hour of training for whatever you want.'

'That's a fool's bargain for you.' Her eyes narrowed. 'I thought you were a general. Aren't you supposed to be good at negotiating?'

His mouth quirked upward. She wasn't fighting him. 'For you, I have no strategies.'

She studied him with unflinching focus. 'Anything I want?'

'Anything.' He added wryly, 'Anything short of you ordering me to fall out of the sky and smash my head on the earth.'

She didn't smile the way he'd hoped. Her eyes turned to chips of ice. 'You truly believe me capable of such a thing?'

No,' he said without hesitation.

Her mouth tightened. Like she didn't believe him.
...
She surveyed him again, and Cassian willed himself to stand still, to appear open and nonthreatening and not like his very heart was in his bloody, outstretched hands.

She said at last, 'Fine. Let's just say it will be a favour. Of whatever size I wish.'

It was dangerous to allow this. Deadly. Stupid. But he said. 'Yes.'

He extended his hand. One last time.

Keep reaching out your hand.

'A bargain.' He met her steely expression with his own. 'You train with me for an hour, and I'll owe you one favour of whatever size you wish.'

'Agreed.' She slid her hand into his and shook firmly.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames

“He pleaded. 'I didn't mean it like-'
'

'I'm calling in my favour,' she said.

He went still, brows bunching. And then his eyes widened. 'Whatever you're-'

'I want you to leave. Go up to the House of Wind for the night. Do not speak to me until I come talk to you, or until a week has passed. Whichever comes first. I don't care.'

Until she'd mastered herself enough to not hurt him, to stop feeling the old urge to strike and maim before she could be wounded.

Cassian lurched toward her, but winced, back arching. Like the bargain tattoo on his back had burned him.

'Go away,' she ordered.

His throat worked, eyes bulging. Fighting the power of the bargain with his every breath.

But then he whirled, wingbeats booming as he leaped into the skies above the river.

Nesta remained on the quay as her spine tingled, and she knew her tattoo had vanished.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames

“The first fruits. The firstborn. That's in the law of Moses, for pity's sake--- old as dirt, first fruits are the acceptable offering.”
― Rowenna Miller, The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill

“Qur’an: 61:10—
You who believe, shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from painful torment? You should believe in God and His messenger, and strive in God’s way with your property and persons.”
― T. B. Irving, The Noble Qur'an: The First American Translation and Commentary

“Truth is not a bargainable commodity subject to the trading floor of your agendas.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough

“Hugo își linse un deget cu cea mai serioasă mină de care dispunea. Să spună că era alb era ca și cum ar fi zis „e soare afară”.
- Pun la bătaie greutatea lui în aur pentru fiecare membru din echipajul dumitale, își reveni Perucă după câteva momente de stat în cumpănă.
- Dublează.
- Pe jumătate.
- Serios?
- Credeam că urma să cer suma asta, nu s-o ofer, dar văd că ai de gând să joci în continuare.
Căpitanul termină de mestecat. Brusc mai serios, trezorierul se aplecă peste masă, iar tonul vocii îi deveni mai jos.
- Problema e că noi doi nu jucăm după aceleași reguli.”
― Agape F.H., Busola către Nova Scotia