Textual: We have two pieces to this verse. Once is a part of the conversation, and the other is an insight into the mind of the old over-king. We may fairly safely continue to ascribe the quotation to some record of Ammon, but the interjected information about the over-king’s state of mind feels more like one of Mormon’s interpretations. The reasons given may have made sense to Mormon since Mormon was certainly impressed by Ammon and his words. However, the old king may or may not have had these motives, and it is quite unlikely that he explained himself to a Nephite.