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So the concept of "the hearts of men" seems like a really important one in the Cosmere. That exact phrase crops up multiple times in the Stormlight Archive, and at least once in Mistborn, Elantris, and Warbreaker. With an eye towards teasing out the importance of the hearts of men, I thought it might be useful to compile a list of the times the phrase has appeared. And then, I broadened my search to include places where it's clear characters are talking about the hearts of men, even though that specific phrase is not used. I've grouped the results into three tiers below. Tier one are times when the phrase shows up in a way that points toward the hearts of men as a central and crucial part of the events to come. Tier two are times when we get a sense of how Shards and/or those working on their behalf are battling over the hearts of men, but without any real indication of how they fit into the broader conflict. And tier three is pretty much everything else. I've spoilered the longer excerpts for tiers one and two. After researching this, I'm fairly certain that when Shards come into conflict with one another, the major battlefield is not a physical one so much as a battle for a greater number of hearts that are open to or attuned to that a particular Shard. Note: The tiers were sort of a last minute addition and attempt to organize the post, so I'd prefer not to quibble about what tier things belong in. But if you see greater relevance to some of the quotes there, feel free to point that out. Tier One - The Hearts of Men are a BFD 1. Words of Radiance Epilogue: After making a point of distinguishing Tanavast/the Almighty from capital-G God, Hoid tells Jasnah that she'll find God, and salvation from the True Desolation, in the hearts of men. 2. Rhythm of War, Ch. 99: Another Hoid and Jasnah scene; this time he tells her that the Contest of Champions will really be about the hearts of men and women 3. Rhythm of War, Ch. 87: Notum steals the show at Adolin's trial by proclaiming that "Honor is not dead so long as he lives in the hearts of men!" 4. Rhythm of War, Ch. 110: in a sort of counterpart to the Notum scene above, Navani here realizes that Honor lives on in the hearts of his "children" Tier Two: Passages hinting at the importance of -- and/or a Shardic fight for market share within -- the hearts of men 5. The Way of Kings, Ch. 45: historians/theologians speculate in sort of the right direction in thinking that Voidbringers could take up residence in men's hearts 6. Mistborn: Secret History, Part 6, Ch. 4: Fuzz implores Kelsier to quit toying around with the hearts of men 7. Elantris, Ch. 60: Hrathen feels conflicted about the potential destruction of Teod; one upside he considers is that "The hearts of men would increase in faith." I ... don't really get this one, but it seems important. 8. Warbreaker, Ch. 21: Vasher reminds Nightblood that his temptation trick doesn't the hearts of men who are pure 9. The Way of Kings, Ch. 38: after Kaladin takes in the Stormlight Teft offered and begins to heal, Teft uses an exclamation about the Almighty living in mens' hearts Rereading this line after RoW, it feels like incredible foreshadowing for the whole "Honor is not dead so long as he lives in the hearts of men" thing. 10. Rhythm of War, Ch. 114: newly-Ascended Todium realizes what a risk Cultivation took given her inability to see the hearts of men Tier Three - All the other interesting "hearts" references I found Way of Kings Ch. 22: Dalinar, citing the in-world The Way of Kings: Dueling someone because they claim I’m a coward doesn’t change their beliefs. It might stop them from making the claims, but it doesn’t change hearts. Ch. 29: Shallan making an argument that Taravangian didn't when debating religion with Jasnah: Our hearts, Brightness. I believe because I feel something, a closeness to the Almighty, a peace that comes when I live my faith. (Jasnah pushes back) But didn’t you yourself argue that the way we act – the way we feel about right and wrong – was a defining attribute of our humanity? You used our innate morality to prove your point. So how can you discard my feelings? Epilogue: Hoid, before concluding that men actually value novelty/timeliness the most: In our hearts, we want to believe in – and would choose – great accomplishment and virtue. That’s why our lies, particularly to ourselves, are so beautiful. Words of Radiance, Interlude-12: Brother Lhan getting the symbolism of the Oathgate just comically wrong: They passed into the Circle of Memories, a round room with ten lamps on the walls, one for each of the ancient Epoch Kingdoms. An eleventh lamp represented the Tranquiline Halls, and a large ceremonial keyhole set into the wall represented the need for ardents to ignore borders, and look only at the hearts of men … or something like that. He wasn’t sure, honestly. Oathbringer, Ch. 91: Tukks responding to Kal's reluctance to hurt opposing soldiers: Means your sane. I’ll take ten unskilled men with earnest hearts over one callous idiot who thinks this is all a game. Rhythm of War Ch. 4: Shallan recalling Mraize's description of the Sons of Honor: Mraize had explained about this group and their efforts to bring back the Heralds – who had actually never been gone. Gavilar had led them along, used their resources – and their hearts – to further his own goals. Ch. 74: Venli disagreeing with Lirin about the value of Kal's example: “Or maybe they simply need something to keep them going, surgeon. A symbol they can trust when they can’t trust their own hearts.” Elantris Ch. 9: Dilaf, with a prophecy he intends to self-fulfill: Jaddeth will not wait while our arteths preach His name against the unyielding walls of Teo hearts. Ch. 18: Hrathen tasking Dilaf with turning people agaisnt Shu-Korath: I will speak second, and my speech will offer logic. You, however, are more passionate – and their disgust for Shu-Korath must first come from their hearts. Ch. 32: Roial commending Sarene on putting a team together: “Ah, Princess,” Roial said, “we’ve come to rely on you so much in these last few weeks. You crept into our hearts and did what no one else, even myself, could have done – you unified us." Ch. 36: Hrathen preaching after his faked healing from the Shaod: “People of Arelon!” he yelled. “Know ye this day who is Master! Let your hearts and souls be guided by the religion which can offer evidence of divine support. Mistborn Well of Ascension, Ch. 29: Oreseur warning Vin about bad-boy Zane: “However, most kandra are very good judges of character. When you practice imitation for as long as I have, you learn to see to the hearts of men. I do not like what I have seen of Zane." Secret History, Part Two, Ch. 2: Kelsier recognizes Ruin's game: He continued to follow the Well’s pulses. These trips gave him cryptic clues to Ruin’s motives and plots. He sensed a familiar pattern to the things it changed – for Ruin seemed to be doing what Kelsier himself had done: coopting a religion. Ruin was manipulating the hearts of the people by changing their lore and their books. Shadows of Self, Ch. 20: Wax realizes the Bleeder will expose the kandra through their attempts to save the Harmony's reputation: “She knows what you’re going to do, TenSoon. What you’ve done.” He felt cold, and met the kandra’s inhuman eyes. “She’s planned that you would send your kandra to try to win back the hearts and minds of the people. That exposes you. Her next step is to bring them down. Interested to hear others' theories on the importance of the hearts of men.