Quotes from David Gemmell

the Betweeners must have known their time was short. Why else would they poison their rivers and streams, strip away the forests that gave them air and pollute their own bodies with toxins and carcinogens?

I carry the seeds of your hatred,' he shouted, hurling his words to the winds, 'and I know where to plant them.' Yes, he thought, Thebes is the right destination for the Lion of Macedon.

You are a Chosen Man. You are Parmenion, the Death of Nations. A hundred thousand souls will you send to the dark river, screaming and wailing, lamenting their fate. It is right and just that you should know your choices.

Risks? I have lived with the prospect of assassination for years. What risks? All men die, rich and poor alike. But if I am to die, then let it be while I fight, not like some bullock in a pen waiting for the ax to fall.

You can't take on the Nadir army with three men, said Harokas. What do you suggest? Four would even the odds.

It is baffling to me why so many people find it difficult to say, I was wrong. The words, when spoken with repentance, always turn away wrath. But those who cling to their absolute lightness, despite any evidence to the contrary, will always arouse anger in their comrades or superiors.

Each of us here believes in the concept of honor: that it is man's duty to do that which is right and just, that might alone is not enough.

We are not made for life at all, old horse. It is made for us. We live it. We leave it.

I don't want eternal life. I want a little joy, a large amount of pleasure, and a swift death once I lose the appetite for either.

Are we allowed to go armed? asked Pagan If you like, said Belder, though I cannot see even you fighting your way through a thousand Sathuli! I don't want to die without a weapon in my hand. Bravely spoken! said Scaler. I will take this apple. I don't want to die without a piece of fruit in my hand. Will you put a stop to this talk of dying? It's extremely unsettling!

Fear cannot be trusted...It exaggerates everything. It is both treacherous and dishonest.

A great man once told me there can be no courage without fear," Helikaon said. "He was right. Remember that when your belly trembles and your legs grow weak.

Tell me, what are the Cheiam? We are the drinkers of blood, the sons of Joachim. We worship only one god: Shalli, the spirit of death. How many of you are there? One hundred only, Lord Earl. But judge us not by our number. Rather, watch the numbers of dead we leave behind us.

Si elle partage vos sentiments? Quelle différence cela fait-il? Achetez-la, quoi qu'il en soit! Hélicon secoua la tête. -On peut acheter de l'or brilliant comme le soleil, et des diamants à l'éclat lunaire. Mais on ne peut pas acheter le soleil, ni posséder la lune.

No one ever gets out of this life alive.

Beware the wooden horse, Agamemnon King, Conqueror, for it will roar to the skies on wings of thunder and herald the death of nations.

life without heroic deed is no life at all.

Someone, who when the whole world turns against you, is still standing by your side.

Who do you think you are?' Asiron asked, with a dry humourless laugh. 'I'll tell you who I am,' answered Parmenion, the words of Tamis echoing in his mind. 'I am Parmenion, the Death of Nations.

It will not go out,' said Keeva, putting her hand on Ustarte's shoulder. 'He is a hero. My uncle told me that heroes have special souls that are blessed by the Source. He was a wise man, my uncle.

I still say this is madness,' whispered Jonat. 'I know – at this moment I'm inclined to agree with you.' 'But we'll go anyway,' muttered Jonat. 'One of these days someone is going to listen to my advice and I'll probably die of the shock!

Their faces were set, determined; there was no give in them. For countless centuries men like these had held the Drenai Empire together.

Love was what mattered. Love of one for one. The touching of hands, the touching of hearts. The warmth of belonging, the joy of sharing. There would always be tyrants. Man seemed incapable of existing without them. For without tyrants there would be no heroes. And man could not live without heroes. Renya

Do not think of tomorrow. Enjoy the now, for it is all any of us ever have.