" Pure Preservation,” Reddi cursed softly, looking over the excited crowd. “They’re going to turn into a lynch mob.” “No,” Marasi said. “They won’t.” “How can you be sure?” “Because a river is easier to channel than to stop, Reddi,” Marasi said. "

― Brandon Sanderson , Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne Series: (Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning)