David Gemmell: Man

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 6
Context: Nothing in life is easy, Arvan. But it's what I'm trained for. To lead an army. To bring death and destruction on my enemies [... ] A man must stand against evil wherever he finds it and he must use all his talents.

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 7
Context: [A]ll men die.... A man needs many things in his life to make it bearable. A good woman. Sons and daughters. Comradeship. Warmth. Food and shelter. but above all these things, he needs to be able to know that he is a man. And what is a man? He is someone who rises when life has knocked him down. Someone who raises his fist to heaven when a storm has ruined his crop — and then plants again. And again. A man remains unbroken by the savage twists of fate. That man may never win. But when he sees himself reflected, he can be proud of what he sees. For low he may be in the scheme of things: peasant, serf, or dispossessed. But he is unconquerable. And what is death? an end to trouble. An end to strife and fear.... Bear this in mind when you decide your future.

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 12
Context: I never worshipped anything but my sword and my wits; now I suffer for it. But I can take it, for am I not a man?... It is not hard to be a legend, Tenaka. It is what follows when you have to live like one.

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 12
Context: All things in the world are created for man, yet all have two purposes. The waters run that we might drink of them, but they are also symbols of the futility of man. They reflect our lives in rushing beauty, birthed in the purity of the mountains. As babes they babble and run, gushing and growing as they mature into strong young rivers. Then they widen and slow until at least they meander, like old men, to join with the sea.

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 6
Context: Live or die, a man and a woman need love. There is a need in the race. We need to share. To belong. Perhaps you will die before the year is out. But remember this: to have may be taken from you, to have had never. it is far better to have tasted love before dying than to die alone.

Source: Drenai series, Quest for Lost Heroes, Ch. 1
Context: Why must I have the Piglet?' 'Because you are the best.' 'I do not understand.' 'Teach him.' 'And who teaches me?' ' As an officer, my lord, you will have many men under your command and not all will be gifted. You must learn to use each man to his best advantage...

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 9
Context: Rubbish!... No man fights for dirt and grass. No, nor mountains. Those mountains were here before the fall and they will be here when the world topples again.

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

Source: Fall of Kings

Source: Lord of the Silver Bow

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 13

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 22

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 31

Source: Rigante series, Stormrider, Ch. 8

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 24

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 12

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 7

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

Source: Drenai series, The King Beyond the Gate, Ch. 9