“I thought you weren’t interested in war and politics,” said Kinri.

Dandelion laughed, a trace of melancholy in her eyes. “Much as I wish love conquered all, it’s impossible to understand love or the art inspired by it without seeing the ugliness of politics and war. War is love corrupted.”

“War is love corrupted?”

Dandelion nodded. “That’s how I see it. War comes from hatred, but hatred is always based on a selfish love, a love that seeks to confine rather than to expand-love of home can turn into hatred of strangers; love of country can turn into arrogance toward other states; love of fellow travelers can turn into a desire to suppress anyone with a different opinion.”

– Ken Liu, The Veiled Throne