‘A good craftsman can create a masterpiece in four or five years. A fool with a hammer can destroy it in a few heartbeats.’
– The Morrigu, to Banouin, Midnight Falcon
‘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
‘I know Shane’s a film, darlin’. But somebody wrote it, didn’t they? And whoever he was, he knew. He bloody knew! He knew broken bones wasn’t so special. Somebody gives that to ya. But they’ll mend. But when they make you eat shit, they’re taking somethin’ away. And you don’t never get it back.’
– Bimbo Jardine, to Sue Cater, White Knight Black Swan
‘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
‘It is often said that war brings out the best and the worst in men.’
– The Wyrd of Wishing Tree Woods, to Kaelin Ring and Rayster, Stormrider
‘But nothing lasts forever. Not life, not love, not dreams.’
– Finn, to Chareos, Quest for Lost Heroes
‘I am reminded of the rather lovely story of the woman who died. She had attended church every day of her life, but had never done a single kind deed for anyone. She went to Heaven. When she arrived an angel led her down a street of mansions, further down a street of fine houses, on to a series of terraced dwellings and finally to a shanty shack at the edge of an old wasteground. “Here is your home,” he said. “But this is terrible,” she told him. “I know,” he replied, “but it was all we could build with the material you sent up.”‘
– Reverend Richard Kilbey, to Joseph Evans, White Knight Black Swan