Quotes from Tanith Lee

It came to me, as I walked, how bitter the irony of the Book had been which had said: Herein the Truth. For it had a truth of its own in its bleached barrenness. What was truth except something which faded, lost its shape, grew unreadable and indistinguishable, at last a blank page for men to write on what they wished.

Assule went on and on about the civilization that had been here first. It could have been very interesting if he hadn't managed to make it so boring. I don't know how he did it, actually. Some latent talent for sending everyone droad, I suppose.

As they looked at each other, the woman and her daughter, they were not privy to what else the elderly lady had bequeathed. The pretty little bow-tied presents soon to be delivered to all the remaining assistants in the shop. Which each contained the turds of dogs and other, even more prolific, animals.

Yes, he was very dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than Vazkor, for his weapon was honesty.

I saw someone hurrying over, a man, who grasped Egyptia's raised arm excitedly. All right, he said. Tell me your number. Egyptia and I stared at him. His eyes were popping. Go away, Egyptia said. Her own eyes filled with tears. She couldn't bear the stupid things life did to her.

You should visit before you pass judgement on a place.

Goddess," he said, "I would strongly advise you to continue this journey as you were—in your carriage." "Vazkor," I said, "I would strongly advise you not to advise me.

Their life was aimless, that was, literally without aims. This was what living was about, they said. Not to join in, become imprisoned by rules and inhibitions. One should simply exist.

Where were you and your God when he had me down in the snow-what return must I give you for that?

Conspiracy was all around, wearing a million masks.

Sivesh cried one name aloud. It was the name of Azhrarn, and in that name was all the pain and loneliness and despair and accusation that any mortal throat could utter.

I wished I could leave me alone too.

I felt angry and silly in that feather-itch dress. I felt alone. But one always is, I suppose.

Times change, men change, the rabble –never. The rabble is an animal, a corporate body made up of many atoms of which each of us, however delicate or refined of soul, is capable of becoming part. It is a mindless beast, needing and wanting only hot blood to feed on and the warmth of itself for a home.

In the late summer afternoon, the river lay thin and shallow among its smooth stones.

They're letting off about two thousand fireworks.

So Coira grew now, with two distinct sides. The silent, loveless, light side, where everything was clear and plain and harsh. And the shadow side, softer and secretive, kind in its own way, philosophical, and convinced of spirit.

This was where his happiness lay, to sit in the great library and to read all things.

Conraj starts to talk to the Cat, which sometimes purrs, like a polite acquaintance whose mind is on other things.

Israbel smiled once more. It was difficult to take your gaze away from her mouth - unless you looked into her eyes; and then you could only look at those... (Israbel)

But what, demanded the jawbones, with sinister insistency, is love?

Oscar) Wilde is surely one of the most erotic writers who ever lived.

He looked up then, and into my eyes. His own were very black, sensuous, carnal, earthbound eyes, full of orthodox sins, and extremely young in a sense that had nothing to do with physical age, but with race, I suppose, the youngness of ancient things, like Pan himself, quite possibly.

My husband is just outside. Don't be afraid, I said, the extensive branches of his horns would never let him through the doorway.