This passage from Steven Erikson's Deadhouse Gates offers a sobering perspective on power, emphasizing its inherent cost and ruthlessness. It shatters any illusions of power as something glamorous or purely beneficial. The notion that "the gift of power is never free" starkly rejects the romanticized view of power often portrayed in literature and media, revealing instead a truth that many choose to ignore: power demands sacrifices and brings consequences that can be harsh and relentless. The Wickans' understanding not to envy those granted power speaks to a wisdom borne of experience, recognizing that those in positions of strength are burdened instead of blessed. The quote's emphasis that power "is cruel, hard as iron and bone, and thrives on destruction" paints it as an almost brutal force of nature — unforgiving, strict, and often destructive. This raises thoughtful reflections on leadership and authority in real life. Those who wield power must face harsh realities and heavy responsibilities, often at personal or moral cost. The absence of disguise in the Wickans' approach to power is refreshing—a brutal honesty that contrasts with many societies' tendency to cloak control in pomp and platitudes. Overall, it challenges readers to reconsider their attitudes toward power, understanding that beneath the dazzling surface lie complexities and struggles often unseen. This examination not only applies to political or military power but also metaphorically to any form of influence we seek or observe, prompting deeper introspection about ambition, ethics, and the true cost of authority.