"I have noticed, Vorkosigan, watching you, that despite your demonstrated brilliance in some areas, you have also demonstrated some chronic weaknesses… But your most insidious chronic problem is in the area of… how shall I put this precisely… subordination. You argue too much."
"No, I don’t," Miles began indigenantly, then shut his mouth.
[His first ever commanding officer] flashed a grin. “Quite. Plus your rather irritating habit of treating your superior officers as your, ah…” Cecil paused, apparently groping again for just the right word.
"Equals?" Miles hazarded.
"Cattle," Cecil corrected judiciously. "To be driven to your will. You’re a manipulator par excellence, Vorkosigan. I’ve been studying you for three years now, and your group dynamics are fascinating. Whether you were in charge or not, somehow it was always your idea that ended up getting carried out."
"Have I been… that disrespectful, sir?"
"On the contrary. Given your background, the marvel is that you conceal that, ah, little arrogant streak so well."
—The Vor Game, by Lois McMaster Bujold.
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