The Way of Kings (in-world)

The Way of Kings is a book of parables and stories written by king Nohadon on Roshar. Using Alethi glyphs, the title of the book is written with symbols for "pathway" and "king."
It was read by Gavilar Kholin in the years prior to his death. Dalinar Kholin began listening to it after his brother's funeral.
== Summary ==
The book is written as a narrative of the life of Nohadon, an ancient king, as he acts as a ruler should, with honor and dignity. In particular, it focuses on a journey he undertakes between the cities of Abamabar and Urithiru, with his decision to go serving as the framing device for the entire piece. Rather than taking an Oathgate, as his family does, he instead travels alone and on foot, encountering a number of thought-provoking scenarios.
The book is composed of an introduction, where the narrator makes the decision to set out, forty parables concerning different aspects of kingship, and a postscript where he summarizes his experiences. Each known parable presents a situation or a problem that the narrator comes across, then a solution or strike of understanding and, finally, philosophical musings on how the situation relates to the duties of a king. In each story, the narrator always strives to lead by example, despite the objections of those close to him. In this manner, he gains the respect and loyalty of his followers.
== Historicity ==
The book was written by Nohadon, an ancient king who lived and reigned after one of the Desolations. As is revealed by Dalinar's visions, he wrote the book after he had already risen to power. Thus, while it does exemplify the virtues of a ruler, it is meant to act as an allegory rather than a method by which to inspire others.
It's uncertain how many of the events the book describes are real, and how many are purely metaphorical. In another vision, Nohadon asserts that he did make the journey that forms the basis for the stories; however, the factuality of the individual parables is disputable. In addition, it's possible that some details have been lost or altered over the ages.
== Influence ==
At around five millennia old, The Way of Kings is one of the oldest known texts to have survived to the present day. Unlike most other literature and documents from that era, which were preserved only in Dawnchant and thus, until recently, impossible to read, The Way of Kings was continuously translated, ensuring its survival in the public consciousness. A major force behind this were the Vanrial, an order of artists dedicated to preserving ancient texts and songs.
Though Surgebinding predates Nohadon, the ancient Knights Radiant were heavily influenced by The Way of Kings. It's suggested that their Ideals were based off the book. In particular, it appears as though the Order of Bondsmiths owns much to its teachings, as the very first lines suggest their Third Ideal.
This book had enormous impact on both Gavilar Kholin and, later, Dalinar Kholin. After having it read to them several times, they become more and more honorable, which is a large contrast to typical modern Alethi behavior. Interestingly, both began to receive Almighty's visions through the Stormfather after they began to listen to The Way of Kings.
In addition, The Way of Kings is of great personal importance to Dalinar. Following his brother's death, he began to put himself back together after listening to Jasnah Kholin read it. Over the following years, he re-listened to it multiple times and began to base his own outlook on the world on its teachings. In addition, two of his visions, one of which didn't come from Stormfather, were concerned with Nohadon and his work. When the time came to confront Odium at the Battle of Thaylen Field, Dalinar decided to carry the book with him rather than taking any weapon. Odium destroyed this particular copy in an attempt to break Dalinar's spirit; however, by then he had taken its teachings to heart.
== Excerpts ==
Note: apart from the postscript and the fourth and eighth parables, none of the excerpts are named or numbered; as such, the names given here are purely informal.
=== Introduction ===
Jasnah reads the entirety of The Way of Kings on the night of Gavilar's funeral, but only an early section is quoted, describing how a meeting with a supposed prophet caused Nohadon to set out on his journey, and explaining the structure of the book. It's possible that this is part of a foreword.
=== The fourth parable ===
The epigraphs for part two of Wind and Truth (14-33) tell the fourth parable of The Way of Kings.
=== The eighth parable ===
The eighth parable elaborates on the principle of "journey before destination" through the story of Nohadon's family and friends reacting to his journey both before he sets out and after he arrives in Urithiru.
=== The man and a stone ===
This is presumably an excerpt from another parable. It talks about the loneliness and burdens of kingship.
=== Candles ===
Part of yet another, unnumbered parable. It is concerned with responsibilities that come with royal power.
=== Stack of stones ===
This particular section describes how a structure - here, a stack of stones, but the metaphor can be applied to both people and groups - will collapse if its very foundation is removed.
=== Hogman's murder ===
Dalinar tells this parable to Taravangian while discussing morality. It's unusual among others in that it does not provide a clear solution to the problems it presents; perhaps, the point of it is to say that sometimes, there are no good solutions and no clear-cut answers.
The ending to the parable isn't quoted, but is summarized by Dalinar.
=== Postscript ===
The epigraphs for last few chapters of Oathbringer (119-122) are taken from the postscript to The Way of Kings, as Nohadon reflects on his journey. Put together, they read:
=== Other quotes ===
There are also several smaller quotes scattered through the book, such as:
== Trivia ==
* Brandon Sanderson's favorite part of the book is the parable about the man carrying the heavy stone.
* The book is known off-world, although it has not found its way to Scadrial.
* Brandon has briefly considered writing the entirety of The Way of Kings. He eventually decided not to, stating it would be too much work for too little pay-off, and that he'd rather leave himself leeway to create new passages as necessary.
== Notes ==
category: literature