Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow through than not even to bother with the oath. Wasn't it?

Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow through than not even to bother with the oath. Wasn't it?

In the world of Joe Abercrombie's novels, oaths and promises hold a significant amount of weight. Characters often find themselves in situations where they must swear allegiance or make a vow, and the consequences of breaking these oaths can be severe. However, as the quote suggests, there is a certain level of value in simply making the oath, even if one does not intend to follow through.

One of the recurring themes in Abercrombie's works is the idea of moral ambiguity. Characters are often faced with difficult choices and must navigate a world where right and wrong are not always clear-cut. In this context, swearing an oath can be seen as a way of asserting one's intentions, even if those intentions may change in the future. By making a promise, a character is declaring their allegiance or commitment to a certain course of action, even if they ultimately decide to go back on their word.