Brian McClellan Quotes & Sayings

One man always makes a difference. Sometimes it's a small one. Other times, he tips a war. — Brian McClellan

The minutiae of the common man is the grease that slicks the gears of civilization. She — Brian McClellan

The world is changing. People do not exist to serve their governments or their kings. Governments exist to serve the people, so the people should have a say in those governments. — Brian McClellan

I believed it had been long enough that Kresimir would never return. I believed it was time for change. I thought all of Rozalia's concerns were foolish, and that Julene was living in the past. I believed we were alone."
"My people have never been alone," Mihali said. "The others may have left. I did not. — Brian McClellan

I'm an investigator, my dear. Other people's business is my business. — Brian McClellan

Promise me."
"No."
Etan's eyes were glassy with tears. "Coward. If I were dying, you'd promise me. Because you wouldn't have to answer to me then. But I'm not dying, and you won't promise it. Bloody coward. — Brian McClellan

You seem to be in unusually good spirits." "I do?" Tamas said. "I haven't said two words." Prime cleared his throat. "I can sense it about you. It's in the air. Like a first-year student who knows he's going to be every professor's favorite. It's annoying. — Brian McClellan

I pretended I was a Kez colonel pretending to be an Adran colonel," Olem said. "It was disturbingly easy."
"They didn't ask for papers or proof?"
"In this rain?" Olem gestured at the downpour. "You don't understand an enlisted man, sir. Nobody asks for bloody papers in this kind of weather. — Brian McClellan

He had an honest face, though Adamat found that honest faces were almost always deceptive. — Brian McClellan

Don't trust any man who surrounds himself with beautiful women. Least of all a priest. — Brian McClellan

The age of kings is dead, Adamat, and I have killed it. — Brian McClellan

I've met dozens of officers who think their immaculate mustache can move the world. — Brian McClellan

Let the Kez come," Tamas roared. "Let them send their greatest generals after us. Let them stack the odds against us. Let them come upon us with all their fury, because these hounds at our heels will soon know we are lions! — Brian McClellan

At what point have you ever gotten the impression that there are good people in the royal cabal?"
"You've given me that impression. Yes. You have."
"Well, get past it. Because I'm not a good man. Not in the slightest. I just pay my debts. — Brian McClellan

And there, among the ruined splendor of Skyline Palace, Adamat saw a god weep for the hero of Adro. — Brian McClellan

A king's pride doesn't fill the people's bellies. — Brian McClellan

There were a number of powerful factions within Adro: the Wings of Adom mercenaries, the royal cabal, the Mountainwatch, and the great noble families. — Brian McClellan

God' is a funny word, it implies omnipotence and omniscience. Let me assure, I am neither. — Brian McClellan

I have the feeling you would much rather be on the front than in Adopest trying to win over the snakes in politics. At least here you're allowed to shoot your enemies. — Brian McClellan

When a man solved his problems by punching them, books were often a foreign thing. — Brian McClellan

Not knowing one's weaknesses gets people killed. — Brian McClellan

First rule of bathing," Gavril said. "If you can't smell yourself anymore, it's time to wash. — Brian McClellan

Doctor, what could you prescribe for Charlemund?"
The doctor looked down his nose at the unconscious form of the arch-diocel.
"Arsenic?"
"Now, really. Something to give him a quality headache and a great deal of memory loss."
"Cyanide. — Brian McClellan

Tamas had heard that every genius was equal parts madness. He — Brian McClellan

You know," Taniel said, "we could have kept firing after they sounded the retreat. Would have wiped out thousands on the mountainside. The Kez did that to us in Fatrasta a few times."
Gavril snorted angrily. "War has to have some decorum. Otherwise it's back to the Bleakening for all of us, and Kresimir be damned. — Brian McClellan

For Dad For never being hesitant that I'd make it this far. Even when you should have been. — Brian McClellan

There is nothing that will make a man more desperate and more capable of violence than endangering his family. — Brian McClellan

You missed the morning's festivities," Bo said to Adamat. "You call torturing a man 'festivities'?" Adamat asked. "I'm not a good person," Bo said. — Brian McClellan

The ceiling was a mural showing some ancient hero making a deal with a two-faced celestial being. — Brian McClellan

The quail was tender, the potatoes smothered in butter, and the beans roasted in garlic. — Brian McClellan

You've one mark on your record," Tamas said. "You once punched a na-baron in the face. Broke his jaw. Tell me about that."
Olem grimaced. "Officially, sir, I was pushing him out of the way of a runaway carriage. Saved his life. Half my company saw it."
"With your fist?"
"Aye."
"And unofficially?"
"The man was a git. He shot my dog because it startled his horse."
"And if I ever have cause to shoot your dog?"
"I'll punch you in the face."
"Fair enough. You have the job. — Brian McClellan

The lockpick gaped up at Adamat from his knees. "You're making enough noise, you might as well have knocked on the front door," Adamat said. — Brian McClellan

After the adrenaline had worn off and medals had been awarded and the glory meted out, only the suffering remained after a battle. — Brian McClellan

He was a longtime street thug who had just enough ruthlessness to rise to legitimate businesses and not quite enough intelligence to leave his dark life behind him. Aptly suited as a banker. — Brian McClellan

I would die for my country. But I'd rather kill for it. Ready your troops. We march! — Brian McClellan

Fancy has nothing to do with a good sword. — Brian McClellan

Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my army."
"That was an incredibly backhanded compliment."
"I meant every word. — Brian McClellan

Expecting defeat will surely bring it — Brian McClellan

If they can kill," Gavril said, "they can drink. — Brian McClellan