David Gemmell quotes - page 4

Evil lives in a pit. If you want to fight it – you must climb down in the slime to do so. (David Gemmell)
But from now on act the part. You will be amazed at the number of people you fool. Don't share your doubts! Life is a game, Scaler. Play it like that.
David Gemmell
There's no shame in fear. But understand this - the coward is ruled by fear, while the hero rides it like a wild stallion.
David Gemmell
Do not complain of life's unfairness. It is never fair - at best it is impartial.
David Gemmell
He didn't want to come, Dweller. He didn't want to get involved. It should have been me who died.' 'Of course he wanted to come. Why else was he here? You didn't force him, Draig. He came because you were his brother and he loved you. He could have left at any time once the pursuit began. He made his own choices. Just as you did. Just as I knew you would.
David Gemmell
... No, I should have died at Bel-Azzar. Nothing has gone right since then.' 'Death comes soon enough to all men. Don't wish for it.
David Gemmell
I'm not laughing at you. [...] I'm laughing at the whole stupid business. We face the biggest threat in our history and they give me a helmet too big, and you a helmet too small, and tell us we can't exchange them. It's too much. Really.
David Gemmell
Well lad, this is what you have chosen. Are you pleased with yourself?" "I am alive," said Bane. "And eight men are dead," said Landis. "Eight souls cast out of the world. More mothers to grieve, more children to know sorrow. Is this a life you want for yourself?” "No it is not," Bane told him. "But we do what we must.” "Not true! We do what we choose. And we face the consequences.
David Gemmell
...[A]ll duels followed a pattern. They began with heat and fury, then settled into a contest of wills. With two equally matched opponents there would come a time when the worm of doubt entered the equation. The truly skilled recognized such moments, and fed them. It was at this time that the endgame would begin.
David Gemmell
Where will you go from here?' he asked. Chellin shrugged. 'Who knows? North again. Maybe not. I'm tired of this life, Kiall. I may head south, to Drenai land. Buy a farm, raise a family.' 'And have raiders descend on you to steal your daughters?' Chellin nodded and sighed. 'Yes. Like all dreams, it doesn't bear close examination [...].
David Gemmell
What do you mean, why? Is it not obvious? What is life but a betrayal? We start out young, full of hope. The sun is good; the world awaits us. But every passing year shows how small you are, how insignificant against the power of the seasons. Then you age. Your strength fails, and the world laughs at you through the jeers of younger men. And you die. Alone. Unfulfilled. But sometimes ... sometimes there will come a man who is not insignificant. He can change the world, rob the seasons of their power. He is the sun. (David Gemmell)
You have suffered many wounds." [...] "It shows how many skilled swordsmen there are.
David Gemmell
Well, who decides who as won or lost? It's not like Avondale any more. That was easy. We charged. They ran. We captured their cannon. Now, that was a victory. Now, we just charge each other, kill each other, and argue about who won.
David Gemmell
Why am I taking seduction advice from a man whose idea of foreplay is to slam coins on the table and shout: 'Who wants to ride the big horse?'""Because he knows best, Tinker.
David Gemmell
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?
David Gemmell
Nothing of real worth can ever be bought. Love, friendship, honour, valour, respect. All these things have to be earned.
David Gemmell
May all your dreams but one come true, for what is life without a dream?
David Gemmell
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 persuit of evil.
David Gemmell
We make choices everyday, some of them good, some of them bad. And - if we are strong enough - we live with the consequences.
David Gemmell
Fear is an aid to the warrior. It is a small fire burning. It heats the muscles, making us stronger. Panic comes when the fire is out of control, consuming all courage and pride.
David Gemmell
I may be stupid, as you say, to believe in honour and friendship and loyalty without price. But these are virtues to be cherished, for without them we are no more than beasts roaming the land. (David Gemmell)
Many fantasy novels - 'Lord of the Rings', for instance, or 'Lavondyss' by Robert Holdstock - are beautifully written. Geoff Ryman's 'The Child Garden' is exquisite and utterly beguiling. Mervyn Peake's 'Gormenghast' trilogy is an astonishing piece of multi-faceted storytelling. So quality of writing does not condemn the genre.
David Gemmell
Trust your instincts, and make judgements on what your heart tells you. The heart will not betray you.
David Gemmell
To be truthful i am not entirely sure what people mean when they talk of happiness. There are moments of joy and laughter, the comfort of friendship, but enduring happiness? If it exists i have not found it.
David Gemmell
A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.
David Gemmell