Steven Erikson quotes - page 5

History meant nothing, because the only continuity was human stupidity. Oh, there were moments of greatness, of bright deeds, but how long did the light of such glory last? From one breath to the next, aye, and no more than that. No more than that. As for the rest, kick through the bones and wreckage for they are what remain, what lasts until all turn to dust. (Steven Erikson)
With ever greater frequency they annihilate themselves, for success breeds contempt for those very qualities that purchased it. View quote
Steven Erikson
Peace did not serve order; order served peace, and when order became godlike, sacrosant and inviolate, then the peace thus won became a prison, and those who sought their freedom became enemies to order, and in the elimination of such enemies, peace was lost. View quote
Steven Erikson
Then, does everyone lives in fear? View quote
Steven Erikson
Heed the lesson there, son.” "What lesson?” "Every decision you make can change the world. The best life is the one the gods don't notice. You want to live free, boy, live quietly.” "I want to be a soldier. A hero.” "You'll grow out of it. View quote
Steven Erikson
Since when is speaking the truth presumptuous?” "You are young, aren't you? View quote
Steven Erikson
They've had a long time to think,' Paran murmured. 'Sometimes, that's all there's needed. The heart of wisdom is tolerance. I think. View quote
Steven Erikson
A civilization at war chooses only the most obvious enemy, and often also the one perceived, at first, to be the most easily defeatable. But that enemy is not the true enemy, nor is it the gravest threat to that civilisation. Thus a civilization at war often chooses the wrong enemy. View quote
Steven Erikson
I can see your reasons, my love. But won't you get thirsty?' - Inscription found beneath capstone of household well, Lakefront District, Darujhistan. View quote
Steven Erikson
It is an extraordinary act of courage,' said Tulas Shorn, 'to come to know a stranger's pain. View quote
Steven Erikson
I'll not deny I am impressed by your mastery of six warrens, Quick Ben. In retrospect, you should have held back on at least half of what you command." The man made to rise. "But, Bauchelain," the wizard replied, "I did. (Steven Erikson)
First in, Last out. Motto of the bridgeburners. View quote
Steven Erikson
The Letheri are masters at corrupting words, their meanings. They call war peace, they call tyranny liberty. On which side of the shadow you stand decides a word's meaning. View quote
Steven Erikson
But we're different from hawks and wolves, Ville. We can actually figure out the consequences of what we do, and that makes us... oh, I don't know the word...' 'Culpable?' Rint suggested. 'Yes, that's the word all right. View quote
Steven Erikson
T'riss sat down opposite the Warden, her expression thoughtful. 'Is civilisation nothing but an illusion, then?' 'Crowd control.' 'Excuse me?' 'That's all civilisation is, T'riss. A means by which we manage the proliferation of our kind. It increases in complexity the more of us there are. Laws keeps us muzzled and punishment delivers the necessary message when those laws are broken. Civilizations in decline are notable when certain of their members escape justice, and do so with impunity. View quote
Steven Erikson
I think I understand. Before there can be disdain, there must be pride. One day I will find something to be proud of, and then I will find this taste of disdain, and see if it suits me. Should I not think this, being my father's son? And yet, I do not. Pride needs no claws, no scaled armour about itself. Not every virtue must be a weapon. These thoughts are my own. I will not crush them. View quote
Steven Erikson
When two people are paying close attention to each other, check out the others in the group and see who's observing. Human dynamics are amazing, but so much that you might learn is subconscious interplay. View quote
Steven Erikson
I am here to arrest your manservant. The one named Bugg.' ‘Oh, now really, his cooking isn't that bad. View quote
Steven Erikson
We have a talent for disguising greed under the cloak of freedom. As for past acts of depravity, we prefer to ignore those. Progress, after all, means to look ever forward, and whatever we have trampled in our wake is best forgotten. View quote
Steven Erikson
When undeniable crime had been committed, justification was the act of a coward. And it was cowardice that permitted such crimes in the first place. View quote
Steven Erikson
Fanaticism was poison in the soul, and the first victim in its inexorable, ever-growing list was compassion. (Steven Erikson)
Civilization after civilization, it is the same. View quote
Steven Erikson
If by our sacrifice - yours and mine,' said Onos T'oolan, 'the pain of one life can be ended; if, by our deaths, this one can be guided home... we will judge this a worthy cause.' 'This Crippled God - he is a stranger to us all.' 'It is enough that in the place he calls home, he is no stranger. View quote
Steven Erikson
Death cannot be struggled against, brother. It ever arrives, defiant of every hiding place, of every frantic attempt to escape. View quote
Steven Erikson
There is but one measure to the wisdom of a people, and that is the staying hand. Fail in restraint and murder thrives in your eyes, and all your claims to civilization ring hollow. View quote
Steven Erikson