David Gemmell: Trending quotes

“This world has few redeeming features, and one is the capacity for people to love one another with great, enduring passion.”

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 2

“I remember a tutor who told me that all the world's hunters have eyes that faced front: lions, hawks, wolves, men … He said man was no different from the tiger. We are nature's killers, and we have great appetites for it … Listen, Rayvan, the beast is in all of us. We do our best in life, but often we are mean, or petty, or needlessly cruel. We don't mean to be, but that's the way we are.”

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 12

“I was on top of the mountain. But there was nothing there. Just clouds. And I found that you can't live on that mountain. But when it throws you off — oh, how you long for it! I would kill to climb it again. I would sell my soul. It is so stupid. […] I took the standard. And now I can't even become a farmer again. The mountain won't let me.”

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 14

“I don't know yet whether I fully believe in fate, but certain things do happen in a man's life that he cannot explain.”

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 1

“"You have suffered many wounds." […] "It shows how many skilled swordsmen there are."”

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 23

David Gemmell book Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf

ibid
Drenai series, Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf

“A lovers' spat," he said. "You know how it is. Boy meets girl, girl wants boy dead. An everyday story, really.”

David Gemmell book The Swords of Night and Day

Source: Drenai series, The Swords of Night and Day, Ch. 14

“Do not expect help.' 'One should always hope.' 'Then hope for a handsome savage with kindly ways.”

“Every man has his own reason for every deed. Usually it is selfish.”

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 2

“When healers yearn to kill then hope begins to die … Evil cannot be overcome by evil.”

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 10

David Gemmell book Stormrider

Source: Rigante series, Stormrider, Ch. 2

“We sit here safe, within a circle of swords held by other men.”

David Gemmell book Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf

ibid
Drenai series, Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf

“None of us can choose the manner of our passing.”

“Do not speak badly of yourself, for the warrior that is inside you hears your words and is lessened by them. You are strong and you are brave. There is a nobility of spirit within you. Let it grow — you will do well enough.”

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 10

“No one can take away the freedom of a man's soul.”

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 3

“We like to think of life as a constant … Yet it can be ended in a heartbeat.”

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 9

David Gemmell book The Swords of Night and Day

Source: Drenai series, The Swords of Night and Day, Ch. 14

“"Why do they do it?" whispered Horeb. "Their eyes, you mean?" said Rek. "Yes. How can a man put out his own eyes?" "Damned if I know. They say it aids their visions." "Sounds about as sensible as cutting off your staff in order to aid your sex life."”

“You are getting too old for this." "A man is as old as he feels, woman!" "And how old do you feel?”

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 1

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

"About ninety."
Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 15

“"I don't think I would be too comfortable with many of his compliments… He's a butcher!" "More than that, my friend… he is a warmaster. And that makes him a master butcher."”

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 1

“Love is for fools. It is a surging of blood in the loins … there is no mystery, and no magic. Find someone else, my boy.”

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 21