David Gemmell Quotes

Man alone, it seems, lives all his life in the knowledge of death. And yet there is more to life than merely waiting for death. For life to have meaning, there must be a purpose. A man must pass something on — otherwise he is useless.

Some people are born ugly. It's not their fault, and I for one have never held it against a man that he is ugly. but others — and I count myself among them — are born with handsome features. That's a gift that should not be lightly taken away.

I have no wish to argue, Father. Yet it must be said that the monks exist here in peace and security only because of the swords of the defenders. I do not belittle your views — I wish all men shared them. But they do not. ... if all men and women lived as you and I, there would be no children, and no humanity. What then would be the Will of the Source?

Bow to nothing, son. I make mistakes as well as any man. If you think me wrong, be so good as to damn well say so.

We all have scars [...] Better by far for them to be worn on the outside.

A problem shared is a problem doubled.

Evil will never be countered while good men do nothing.

Women were strange creatures. They fell in love with a man and then sought to change him. Mostly they succeed - to spend the rest of their lives wondering how they could have married such boring conformists.

I am a stranger. You do not need to lie to me or pretend. Only with friends do you need masks.

Never be glad that another man has died. Not ever. [...] It never ends. Never ... ever ... be glad to kill.

[...] In real war an officer may have only one chance at succeeding. Consider each problem.

Greed got me into this," Powdermill said, mournfully. "I swear to the Source that if I get out of this alive, I'll never give in to greed again."
Huntsekker laughed. "We are what we are, little man. We won't change. Now, set to and see something we can take to the Moidart.

You may think life is sweet now, but when death is a heartbeat away then life becomes unbearably desirable. And when you survive, everything you do will be enhanced and filled with greater joy: the sunlight, the breeze, a good wine, a woman's lips, a child's laughter.

How do you do it? How do you stay so strong?" "I fake it.

Kings are chosen by the Source, so it is said ... Therefore those who fight for the king can be said to be godly. Is that not cause enough?