James Clavell Quotes - Page 2

The more I know, the more sure I am I know so little. The eternal paradox.

Horses are far worse than men for treachery.

Anger is one of the most intimate of emotions and to expose it to strangers is one of the most stupid and sickening things to do. Never get angry with strangers because they are strangers.

What you do with strangers is ignore them for. No second chance, no sorry I did it, never accept an apology, but never, ever get angry with strangers.

Isn't man but a blossom taken by wind, and only the mountains and the sea and the stars and this land of the gods everlasting?

First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores.

And Adam ruled, for he was the King. Until the day his will to be King deserted him. Then he died, food for a stronger. And the strongest was always the King, not by strength alone, but King by cunning and luck and strength together. Among the rats.

Of what real value is a title? The power is the only important thing

Isn't it only laughter we can stay human?

You've commited murder just as much as Helene did. You killed a fly with a human head. She killed a human with a fly head.

There is no dignity for either the sufferer or the torturer

Changi for me - of course it's easy to be wise after the event, and to discuss it cleverly after the event - was about as near as you can get to being dead and still be alive.

It's always important to take time to study men -- important men. Friends and enemies.

Why is she afraid?" he asked. "She's not Anjin-san. Just a little nervous. Please excuse her. She's never seen a foreigner close to before." "Tell her when the moon's full, barbarians sprout horns and fire comes out of our mouths like dragons.

Blackthorne, beside the gates, was still turmoiled by his boundless joy at her reprieve and he remembered how his own will had been stretched that night of his near-seppuku, when he had had to get up as a man and walk home as a man unsupported, and became samurai. And he watched her, despising the need for this courage, yet understanding it, even honoring it.

How can a man be so brave and so stupid, so gentle and so cruel, so warming and so detestable -- all at the same time?

Christ, it's so good to be alive.