Conn Iggulden Quotes & Sayings

There was no justice in the world, but he had known that ever since the death of his father. The spirits took no part in the lives of men once they had been born. A man either endured what the world sent his way, or was crushed. — Conn Iggulden

If he had learned anything in manhood, it was that it didn't matter what other people thought of him - even the ones he respected. In the end, he would patch together a life, with its sorry errors and its triumphs, just as they had. — Conn Iggulden

Conquering enemy cities was far less complicated than the women in his life, or the children they bore for him. — Conn Iggulden

From this day, you are no longer children. If you have to fight, even if it is a friend, put him down as fast and hard as you possibly can. Kill if you have to, or spare him - but beware putting any man in your debt. Of all things, that causes resentment. Any warrior who raises his fist to you must know he is gambling with his life and that he will lose. If you cannot win at first, take revenge if it is the last thing you do. You are traveling with men who respect only strength greater than theirs, men harder than themselves. Above everything else, they respect success. Remember it. — Conn Iggulden

He chuckled to himself as he walked. A warm woman and a battle to come. To be alive on such a night was a wondrous thing. — Conn Iggulden

He would send out the tumans to dominate the Sung for all time. He clenched his fist as he stood in the silence. They had almost fallen to a Mongol general. They would fall to the great khan. — Conn Iggulden

Men respect the silent; they despise the garrulous. - Marius — Conn Iggulden

The man who draws first sparks an unconscious response from a trained opponent, who tends to draw more smoothly and with greater speed. It is counter-intuitive, but as Japanese kendo fighters will affirm, the instinctive reaction after thousands of hours of training is often faster than a blow resulting from a controlled decision. On — Conn Iggulden

No worthy goal should come easily, he told himself. Suffering created value. — Conn Iggulden

The man attempted to salute and Renius forced himself to smile, biting back his temper at the sloppy manners. He watched the fat figure run away into the buildings and wiped the first beads of sweat from his brow. Strange that such men as that should understand loyalty where so many others threw it aside at the first hint of freedom. — Conn Iggulden

God had mercy, he knew. The Mongols had none. — Conn Iggulden

I say you are tribeless wanderers, without marks of rank or blood,' Khasar said. 'Don't leave your posts while I am gone. I am going to ride into the city over your bodies. — Conn Iggulden

Genghis had once told him he should never give an order they would not obey. He should never let them see the limits of his authority. The — Conn Iggulden

Within two years, they would be attacking us. The emperor has seen what we can do and he will not make the same mistakes again. One chance we have made for ourselves, Khasar. You cannot wound a bear and run. It will chase you down. — Conn Iggulden

The decision took a moment, but it lasted a lifetime — Conn Iggulden

I will kill them," Temujin promised, rage kindling in him. "I will burn them and eat their flesh if they do." "That will bring you peace, but it will not change anything for Borte," Hoelun said. "What else can I do? She cannot kill them as I could, or force them to kill her, even. Nothing that happens is her fault." He found himself crying and wiped angrily at bloody tears on his cheeks. "She trusted me." "You cannot make this right, my son. Not if they escape your brothers. If you find her alive, you will have to be patient and kind." "I know that! I love her; that is enough." "It was," Hoelun persisted. "It may not be enough any longer. — Conn Iggulden

Behold a people shall come from the north, and a great nation. They shall hold the bow and the lance; they are cruel and will not show mercy; their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses every one put in array, like a man to the battle. — Conn Iggulden

A strong man could bend the sky to suit him, but only for himself, Temujin knew. — Conn Iggulden

Predators did not need mercy. — Conn Iggulden

Age was no guide then, nor is it now. The old and the young defy their endings, while others go too soon. Neither is it good or evil in the veins that seems to protect them. This is a brief and bitter life, the mere proving crucible for what lies beyond. That is all that makes sense of it, or I would rage at the heavens themselves. — Conn Iggulden

He is no fool, Kublai. He understands far better than you realize. The khan's vast armies cannot return to being herdsmen, not anymore. He is riding the tiger now, my son. He dare not climb down. — Conn Iggulden

Be careful in your life, Tolui. I want you fit and strong for when I come for you. — Conn Iggulden

This story began with a single, starving family, hunted and alone on the plains of Mongolia - and ends with Kublai Khan ruling an empire larger than that of Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar. Over just three generations, that is simply the greatest rags-to-riches tale in human history. — Conn Iggulden

This is my empire, Uriang-Khadai. I will not be made to leave. Ready the tumans for battle, Orlok. I will face my enemies and I will destroy them. — Conn Iggulden

There was no destiny in life, nothing beyond what a man could take and hold for himself. — Conn Iggulden

He who controls the heartland controls the world. — Conn Iggulden

There is no escape from me, not even in death. — Conn Iggulden

I rode with Genghis when I was younger than you, barely able to stay on a saddle."
"What was he like?" Zhenjin asked.
Kublai opened his eyes to find his son watching him.
"He was a man who loved his children and his people, Zhenjin. He took the Chin foot off the throat of the nation and made us look up from the struggles of tribes. He changed the world."
Zhenjin looked down, playing with a cherry twig in his hands, bending it this way and that.
"I would like to change the world," he said.
Kublai smiled, with just an edge of sadness in his eyes.
"You will, my son, you will. But no one can change it forever. — Conn Iggulden

The world will hear my name." When he spoke again, it was so quiet that Kokchu had to strain to hear him.
"This is not a time of death, shaman. We are one people and there will be no more battles between us. I will summon us all. Cities will fall to us, new lands will be ours to ride. Women will weep and I will be pleased to hear it. — Conn Iggulden

His generals were ready; his sons were. It remained to be seen whether the Arab nations were ready to meet them in war. In their arrogance, they had invited annihilation. — Conn Iggulden

I have been distracted from my duty as a father to some extent, but there is no greater exercise to a man's talents than the upbringing of his son. — Conn Iggulden

I have called those who had no tribe," he went on, "but still had honor and heeded the call of blood to blood. They rode us in trust. And I say to you all, there are no tribes under the sky father. There is only one Mongol nation and it begins this night, in this place. — Conn Iggulden

If he had learned anything from his father's fate, it was to win, no matter how you did it. It was not important if someone else was hurt, or killed. If you won, you would be forgiven anything. You could be taken from a stinking ger and forced through the ranks until a thousand men followed your orders as if they came from the khan himself. Blood and talent. The nation was built on both. — Conn Iggulden

He raised his head and summoned his endurance to take him farther. His body was finished, but he remembered Yesugei telling him a man's will could carry him long after the weak flesh had given up. — Conn Iggulden

When you're older, you will realise the only thing that matters, the only thing, is that you had courage and honour. Lose those things and you won't die any quicker, but you'll be less than the dirt on our boots. You'll still be dust, but you'll have wasted your short time in the light. — Conn Iggulden

It is done. We are a nation and we will ride. Tonight, let no man think of his tribe and mourn. We are a greater family and all lands are ours to take. — Conn Iggulden

They were few, but they were hardened in fire. They had been cast out and many would hunger as he did: for a tribe, and for a chance to strike back at a world that had abandoned them.
"It is begun here," Temujin whispered. "I have had enough of hiding. Let them hide from me. — Conn Iggulden

We are all fools with our sons. We wipe them and suckle them and all we expect is for them to be grateful to the end of their days. — Conn Iggulden

The Chin have held us down for a long time, but that is over. We ride to war, brother. — Conn Iggulden

Courage cannot be left like bones in a bag. It must be brought out and shown the light again and again, growing stronger each time. If you think it will keep for the times you need it, you are wrong. It is like any other part of your strength. If you ignore it, the bag will be empty when you need it most. — Conn Iggulden

He wanted his enemies proud and strong, so that he could cast them further down in his vengeance. — Conn Iggulden

It's all you can say, when the end comes: 'I did not waste my time.' I think that matters. I think it may be all that matters. — Conn Iggulden

We are not here to earn riches with a bow. The wolf does not think of fine things, only that his pack is strong and no other wolf dares to cross his path. That is enough. — Conn Iggulden

All information can be bought, my son, if you are willing to pay the price. — Conn Iggulden

They had learned that Sorhatani expected the same sort of instant obedience as her husband. She had grown up around men of power and had married into the great khan's family at a very young age. She knew that men prefer to follow, that it takes an effort of will to lead. She had that will. — Conn Iggulden

They have kept us apart for a thousand generations, Kachiun. They have ridden us until we were nothing more than savage dogs. That is the past. I have brought us together and they will be trembling. I'll give them cause. — Conn Iggulden

I am the rightful khan of the nation. I am the gur-khan. My word is iron and my word is law. — Conn Iggulden

We are the silver people, the Mongols. When they ask, tell them there are no tribes. Tell them I am khan of the sea of grass, and they will know me by that name, as Genghis. Yes, tell them that. Tell them that I am Genghis and I will ride. — Conn Iggulden

We will not stop until the sea bounds us in every direction. I am Genghis who say this and my word is iron. — Conn Iggulden

The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions, to see the faces of those who were dear to them bedewed with tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms. — Conn Iggulden

Genghis nodded drunkenly. "Writing," he replied, scornfully. "It traps words."
"It makes them real, lord. It makes them last. — Conn Iggulden

There are no rules in life. Whether it is written down, or spoken by shamans, nothing binds a man beyond himself. Nothing, save the chains he accepts for himself. Laws and traditions mean nothing, if you have the strength. — Conn Iggulden

To be betrayed by those he trusted seems to have ignited a spark of vengeance in Temujin, a desire for power that never left him. His childhood experiences created the man he would become, who would not bend or allow fear or weakness in any form. He cared nothing for possessions or wealth, only that his enemies fall. — Conn Iggulden

After tonight, we will be with the spirits and see the hills of home," he called to them. "The khan will hear. He will sweep this land clean. — Conn Iggulden

There was no justice in the world and evil men prospered. Kachiun struggled not to despair as he wrapped his deel around him, but there were times when he hated as ferociously as Temujin did. There should be justice. There should be revenge. — Conn Iggulden

The world has grown too large for one army of the nation, my brother. You will ride where I tell you to ride, conquer where I tell you to conquer. The world is yours, if you can put aside the base part of you that tells you to rule it all. That you may not have. Now give me an answer and your oath. Your word is iron, brother, and I will take it. Or I can just kill you now. — Conn Iggulden

A brave man could conquer fear, he had learned that, but perhaps only for a time. It was something the young did not understand, the way it could gnaw at a man, the way it came back stronger every time, until you were alone and gasping for breath. — Conn Iggulden

Your life is just a bird's flight through a lit room. You pass from infinite darkness into endless night, with only a short time in between. — Conn Iggulden

The nation of my father is too strong for a man who cannot command even his own body. — Conn Iggulden

Nothing pleased the Mongols more than a good trick on the field of battle. — Conn Iggulden

Cities make you afraid. — Conn Iggulden

Your brother beat him almost to death, Temujin. He held him and kicked him until he cried like a child. He is afraid of you, so he hates you. It would be wrong to hurt him again. It would be like beating a dog after it has loosed it's bladder. The spirit is already broken in him. — Conn Iggulden

A multitude of rulers is not a good thing. Let there be one ruler, one king. — Conn Iggulden

Sung Win smiled to himself, enjoying the tension across his shoulders and the way his pulse beat in his veins. All life involved risk. — Conn Iggulden

No congratulations?' Derry said cheerfully. 'No "well done, Derry"? I am disappointed in you, William Pole. There's not many men could have pulled this off in such a time, but I have, haven't I? The French looked for foxes and found only innocent chickens, just like we wanted. The marriage will go ahead and all we need to do now is mention casually to the English living in Maine and Anjou that their service is no longer appreciated by the Crown. In short, that they can fuck off. — Conn Iggulden

I will finish what I have begun. I have said it. This is my khanate. — Conn Iggulden

Enjoy the peaceful moments, Zhenjin. When the fighting starts, this will be a pleasant memory. — Conn Iggulden

There was no justice in the world - unless he made it for himself. Unless he cut twice as deep as he had been cut and gave back blow for blow. He had the right. — Conn Iggulden

Genghis snorted. Men always die in war. Their kings expect it. I want them to know that if they resist me, they are putting their hand in the mouth of a wolf. They will lose everything and they can expect no mercy. — Conn Iggulden

Unaware of them all, Temujin began to chant words he had not heard since old Chagatai had whispered them on a frozen night long before. The shaman's chant spoke of loss and revenge, of winter, ice, and blood. He did not have to struggle to recall the words; they were ready on his tongue as if he had always known them. — Conn Iggulden

Your people will be torn from the land for this, Tartar. Your gers will burn and your herds will be scattered. — Conn Iggulden

History was more than just stories, he reminded himself as the men walked forward with their burdens. It taught lessons as well. — Conn Iggulden

The eyes showed the soul and they were always hardest to mask. — Conn Iggulden

Why do you hurt me? What more do you want?" she asked, tears shining in her eyes.
"Power over you, little one," he said, smiling. "What does any man want but that? It is something in the blood of every one of us. We would all be a tyrant if we could. — Conn Iggulden

Kublai went on as if he had not spoken.
Before you all, in the lands of my enemies, I declare myself great khan of the nation, of the khanates under my brothers, Hulegu and Arik-Boke, of the Chagatai khanate and all others. I declare myself great khan of the Chin lands and the Sung. I have spoken and my word is iron! — Conn Iggulden

Xuan smiled at the thought of men sleeping peacefully next to those they would try to kill in daylight. Only humanity could have conceived such a strange and artificial way to die. Wolves might tear the flesh of deer, but they never slept and dreamed near their quarry. — Conn Iggulden

All men die," Jelme went on, ignoring the outburst. "It could be tonight, next year, or in forty years, when you are toothless and weak. All you can do is choose how you stand when it comes. — Conn Iggulden

I will be khan of them all. We are one people and one man can lead them. How else can we take the cities of the Chin? — Conn Iggulden

There is a price for all things. — Conn Iggulden

There is a world outside the one we know," he said softly, "with cultures and races and armies who have never heard of us. Yes, and cities greater than Yenking and Karakorum. To survive, to grow, we must remain strong. We must conquer new lands, so that our army is always fed, always moving. To stop is to die, Chagatai. — Conn Iggulden

This is a hard land and the people are used to death. If I am to rule them, they must know that to face me is to be destroyed. They must be afraid, Chakahai. It is the only way. — Conn Iggulden

Get up," she said. "Get up, my lord. If you do not have long, there is still much to do. You must not waste another day, another morning! Take hold of your life with both hands and crush it to you, my lord. You will not have another in this world. — Conn Iggulden

There are wolves in these mountains," he said. "Some of my men have hunted them for skins. They will find you here tonight and at first they will only watch. As the cold makes you weak, they will come closer and begin to nuzzle your legs and hands. They'll scatter when you call out and move, but they won't go far and they'll come back with more courage. When they start to tear your flesh, when the smell of blood excites them, think of me then. — Conn Iggulden

You have no idea what you have done. — Conn Iggulden

It does not matter what others think of how I lived my life. It does not matter if we go down in Temuge's histories as tyrants or even cowards. All that matters is what we do now. We are our only judges, Kachiun. Remember that. Those who come after will have other trials, other battles to worry about. — Conn Iggulden

The things I've seen ... no, the things I've done." He shuddered slightly as memories flashed into his mind. "I was as innocent. I thought I understood the world, but I was little more than a child. — Conn Iggulden

Temujin snorted. Never lose faith in me, little brother. My word is iron and I will always come home. — Conn Iggulden

What we make can survive us. — Conn Iggulden

He did not fear such enemies, nor a dozen armies like them. He was khan of the sea of grass and they were just city men, soft and fat for all their bluster and sharp swords. He would cut them down. — Conn Iggulden

I have not given thought to what comes after the battles. Perhaps I will rule. Is that not the right of a conqueror? — Conn Iggulden

We are nothing but the oath we give. — Conn Iggulden

You will revenge my father's death and we will be one tribe across the face of the plains, one people. As it should always have been. Let the Tartars fear us then. Let the Chin fear us. — Conn Iggulden

We were so young then, but by the sky father, I am not that young man who had never seen the swollen dead. I am khan. It is done and I would not change it." He clenched his fist, taking pleasure in his own strength. "I will not let another stand in my place. — Conn Iggulden

The eagles ruled the air as the tribes ruled the land. — Conn Iggulden

Those who cannot conquer must bend the knee. They must find strength, or serve those of us who have. You are my generals. I will send you out: my hunting dogs, my wolves with iron teeth. When a city closes its gates in fear, you will destroy it. When they make roads and walls, you will cut them, pull down the stones. When a man raises a sword or bow against your men, you will hang him from a tree. Keep Karakorum in your minds as you go. This white city is the heart of the nation, but you are the right arm, the burning brand. Find me new lands, gentlemen. Cut a new path. Let their women weep a sea of tears and I will drink it all. — Conn Iggulden

A man needs to feel a little fear, Tolui, if only to have the pride of conquering it. — Conn Iggulden

Nothing sapped morale like the fear of being attacked from behind. — Conn Iggulden

If a man has gold, he lives with the terror that someone will take it away from him, so he builds walls around it. Then everyone knows where the gold is, so they come and take it. That's the way it always goes, brother. Fools and gold, together. — Conn Iggulden

Sometimes, power could change hands as quickly as a knife thrust. — Conn Iggulden

No man could be a khan to his mother. — Conn Iggulden