‘In life we do not always get what we want, my friend. I did not want a storm. I did not want my first wife to leave me – nor my second wife to stay. Such is life, eh?’
– Milus Bar, to Bodasen, The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend
Tag Archives: Drenai
‘Wealth is a small thing, tiny like a grain of sand. It seems large only to those who do not possess it. You talk of my palace. It is not mine. I built it, I live within it. Yet one day I will die and the palace will have another owner. Then he will die. And so it goes on. A man owns nothing but his life. He holds items briefly in his hand. If they are made of metal or stone they will surely outlive him and be owned by someone else for a short time. If they are cloth he will – with luck – outlive them. Look around you, at the trees and the hills. According to law, they are mine. You think the trees care that they are mine? Or the hills? The same hills were bathed in sunlight when my earliest ancestor walked the earth. The same hills that will still be covered in grass when the last man turns to dust.’
– Waylander, to Keeva Taliana, Hero in the Shadows
‘It has become fashionable to believe that all actions have a cynical base. That’s what comes of believing the lies of politicians. I have lived long, and I have seen much. There is among many people a desire to help others. Perhaps it is this which binds us all together.’
– Banelion, to Ulmenetha, Winter Warriors
‘Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.’
– Druss, to Sieben, The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend
‘There are people out there waiting to love you. It is not something you should turn down lightly.’
– Rayvan, to Decado, The King Beyond the Gate
‘Nothing in life is sure, my son. Except the promise of death.’
– Abaddon, to Balan, The King Beyond the Gate
‘But nothing lasts forever. Not life, not love, not dreams.’
– Finn, to Chareos, Quest for Lost Heroes
‘Draw every ounce of pleasure you can from life, savour it, hold it on your tongue. But don’t waste time with thoughts of loss. My first wife was a harridan. I adored her, and we fought like tigers. When she died I was bereft but, given the chance, I would not go back and live differently. The years with her were golden.’
– Angel, to Miriel, Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf
‘It is not a crime to be frightened. I am frightened. Diagoras is frightened. Anyone with any intelligence would be frightened. Fear is necessary. It is there to keep us alive; to warn us to avoid danger.’
– Skilgannon, to Rabalyn, White Wolf
‘Do not make the mistake of judging a man’s physical courage, or his skills, by the work he is forced to do. I knew a doctor once who could put an arrow through a gold ring at forty paces. And a street cleaner in Drenan who once held off twenty Sathuli warriors, killing three, before he carried his injured officer back to camp. Judge a man by his actions, not his occupation.’
– Angel, to Miriel, Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf