James Rollins Quotes & Sayings

Coincidences were causes for investigation. — James Rollins

WHAT IS REALITY? It's both the simplest question to answer - and the hardest. Over the ages, it has baffled both philosophers and physicists. In The Republic, Plato described the true world as nothing more than a flickering shadow on a cave wall. Oddly enough, millennia later, scientists have come full circle to a similar conclusion. — James Rollins

it sucks to get old...but there's always beer — James Rollins

The others had hurriedly shoved all the supplies from the SUV into the Eurovan, then drove the SUV over a steep slope. Painter feared Cassandra would track them with its GPS feature, just as he had. — James Rollins

Biblical references about knowledge and good and evil often get tangled up. — James Rollins

Few people know that, by canon law, each and every Catholic altar must contain a holy relic. — James Rollins

In a plane again, Ashley thought sourly, her nose pressed to the window. Down below, glacier fought granite from horizon to horizon. This was the final leg of the two-day journey. Yesterday, they had flown the eight hundred miles from Buenos Aires to Esperanza, the Argentine army base on the tip on an Antarctic Peninsula. There, Ashley had her first taste of Antarctic air - like ice water poured into her lungs. — James Rollins

The monks who taught me," Hugh explained. "They lived in a monastery in that valley, built between two great trees, trees as eternal as the monks themselves. Under one bower the monks sat to meditate. That tree was called the Tree of Enlightenment. Under the other, the monks drank their wine. That tree was called the Tree of Eternal Life. — James Rollins

Growing up with three brothers and three sisters, I was the storyteller of the family ... what my mother called 'The Liar.' — James Rollins

So we're damned if we do and damned if we don't." She shrugged. "That pretty much sums up quantum physics. — James Rollins

Trickle of superstitious dread — James Rollins

Whenever I start a novel, I'm always looking for two things: a bit of science that makes me go 'what if?' and a piece of history that ends in a question mark. — James Rollins

The woman with the horned helmet - who had to be of Viking descent - spoke. — James Rollins

Though it was undeclared, there was a new world war being waged, where fundamental decency and respect for human rights were under assault by forces of intolerance, despotism, and blind fervor. And while its battles were sometimes waged in plain sight
in New York City, in Iraq
its greater struggle was carried on invisibly, fought in secret, its heroes unknown, its villains hidden. — James Rollins

We need religion, government, and laws to force a level of control over our baser natures. I intend to strip away the disease that is intelligence, to rip away the deception that allows humanity to believe itself mightier and more deserving of this planet. — James Rollins

It is a tradition among our desert tribes. A man may borrow what he needs. Stealing is crime. — James Rollins

Society is a destructive illusion of control, nothing more. And — James Rollins

Just about done here." Kowalski sat cross-legged on the ground. Coiled at his feet was a spool of detonation cord threaded through cubes of C4. "It's just like stringing popcorn." "Remind me not to come over to your house for Christmas." He shrugged. "Christmas is okay. It's Fourth of July that scares most people away." Painter could only imagine. Kowalski plus fireworks. Not a good combination. — James Rollins

A soldier picked up the still-living girl and carried her to the barren fireplace. — James Rollins

Always respect Mother Nature. Especially when she weighs 400 pounds and is guarding her baby. — James Rollins

The hope for our nation and our world lies within our ability to innovate and move forward technologically. — James Rollins

Right now there are some fifteen thousand scientists authorized to work with deadly pathogens, but there are zero federal agencies charged with assessing the risks of all of these labs, let alone even keeping track of their number. As a consequence, there've been countless reports of mishandling of contagious pathogens, of vials gone missing, of poor records. — James Rollins

I'm pretty disciplined to keep the momentum of a story going by writing everyday, even if it's only a couple paragraphs or a page or two. — James Rollins

The strong were always eating the weak. — James Rollins

A stunner ... reminds me of Tom Clancy at his finest. — James Rollins

Most major Christian groups - Catholics, Byzantines, Nestorians, Jacobites - believe Mary's father was a man named Joachim. But this is contested. The Koran claims she descended from a highly respected family, that of Imran. As does the Jewish faith. — James Rollins

Two historical figures play prominent roles in this book: a pair of priests who lived centuries apart but who were tied together by fate. During the seventeenth century, Father Athanasius Kircher was known as the Leonardo da Vinci of the Jesuit Order. — James Rollins

And she realized that things in books could be wrong. — James Rollins

I was all set to blow some crap up. — James Rollins

The warmth of the bourbon still glowed deep within her, helping her find her center. How could something so simple have brought her so much relief? But Safia sensed it wasn't truly the alcohol so much as the kindness. She had forgotten what that was like. It had been too long. Not since ... not — James Rollins

His own cabinat of cuoriositie — James Rollins

Better to head off into the unknown than stay here, where death was most certain — James Rollins

With two books a year, I don't have time for writer's block. — James Rollins

Bristol-Meyers Squibb has reported success with monatomic ruthenium to correct cancer cells. Same with platinum and iridium, according to Platinum Metals Review. These atoms actually make the DNA strand correct itself, rebuilding without drugs or radiation. Iridium has been shown to stimulate the pineal gland and appears to fire up 'junk DNA,' leading to the possibility of increased longevity and reopening aging pathways in the brain. — James Rollins

Look, Mom." He pointed to a desk in the corner of his room. "A real Pentium II. Not one of those slowpoke clones. — James Rollins

I've mis-signed many a book Rollins or Clemens. My readers quickly become aware. Booksellers will often promote me under both names, and I do plug both at signings. Generally, the fantasy reader has no problem going into the suspense genre. It's harder for the typical suspense reader to go the other direction. — James Rollins

Just go look.
That sentiment had been the driving force behind humanity's progress across the ages, a simple imperative fueled by our innate curiosity: to discover what was around the next bend, over the next horizon. It was that same inquisitiveness that impelled us to explore who we are, where we came from, and where we are headed next. — James Rollins

Bitter thoughts swept through him. That face had been called many names over the centuries, worn many identities. But after two millennia he had returned to the one his mother had given him. Judas Iscariot. — James Rollins

The space between the next two buildings was crowded with four torn bodies, limbs shredded from torsos, intestines strewn like party streamers. Suddenly one of the torsos jerked into the darkened alley beyond, dragged by something hidden in shadow. — James Rollins

Generally, if you preface an interview request with, 'I'm an author writing a book,' for some reason, that seems to open a lot of doors. — James Rollins

She handed him her gun. "Down," she ordered. "Shoot anybody that comes into view." "What about you?" "No, don't shoot me." "I mean where are you going? — James Rollins

We must savor every moment given us," she stressed. "We know not where this journey ends so we must wring each scrap of joy out of it while it lasts. — James Rollins

I started writing short stories. I tried writing horror, mystery, science fiction. I joined a little critique group here in town and ran my stories past them. After about three years, I tackled my first novel, Subterranean. It took me 11 months to write. — James Rollins

might not be the brightest bulb in the box, but — James Rollins

To truly understand the Nazis," Ulmstrom said, leading the way, "you have to stop considering them as a political party. They called themselves Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei - the National Socialist German Workers' Party - but in reality, they were really a cult." "A cult?" Gray asked. "They bore all the trappings, ja? A spiritual leader who could not be questioned, disciples who wore matching clothes, rituals and blood oaths performed in secret, and most important of all, the creation of a potent totem to worship. The Hakenkreuz. The Broken Cross, also called the swastika. A symbol to supplant the crucifix and the Star of David." "Hari krishnas on steroids," Monk mumbled. "Do not joke. The Nazis understood the inherent power of ideas. A power greater than any gun or rocket. They used it to subjugate and brainwash an entire nation. — James Rollins

Books are keys that open many doors
James Rollins — James Rollins

thousand years ago the average life expectancy of mankind was only twenty-five years. It took another nine hundred years to extend that to thirty-seven. Today the average is seventy-eight. So, in the past hundred years, we more than doubled life expectancy. That — James Rollins

The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. - ALBERT EINSTEIN — James Rollins

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — James Rollins

The turning point was when I hit my 30th birthday. I thought, if really want to write, it's time to start. I picked up the book How to Write a Novel in 90 Days. The author said to just write three pages a day, and I figured, I can do this. I never got past Page 3 of that book. — James Rollins

When it came to explosives and radios, bad things sometimes happened to good engineers. — James Rollins

Silence fueled anxieties, gave them their true power. Expressing them aloud was a way of releasing that tension, of letting go, if only for a brief time. — James Rollins

They all knew borders no longer divided the world so much as ideologies. — James Rollins

Fiction writing was in my blood from a very young age, but I never considered writing as a real career. I thought you had to have some literary pedigree to be a successful author, the son of Hemingway or Fitzgerald. — James Rollins

The accumulation of grief over one lifetime is more then one heart can bear."Robert explained."Only the heartless could withstand more.Or the very young,those too naive to truly understand loss. — James Rollins

In the real world, few plans proceeded as planned. For a mission to succeed, a plan had to be liquid, capable of changing at a moment's notice. — James Rollins

That sentiment had been the driving force behind humanity's progress across the ages, a simple imperative fueled by our innate curiosity: to discover what was around the next bend, over the next horizon. It was that same inquisitiveness that impelled us to explore who we are, where we came from, and where we are headed next. Gray — James Rollins

The only one disappointed by the ease of entry was the team's explosives and demolitions expert. "Aw, man," Kowalski groused. "I was all set to blow some crap up. — James Rollins

When mankind pushes, natures sometimes pushes back — James Rollins

They wanted them to look like the Gods.
God doesn't look like this. — James Rollins

If it's worth doing, I guess it's worth overdoing. — James Rollins

The richest harvest comes from best-tilled soil. — James Rollins

According to Native American legends, dogs with different-colored eyes could see both heaven and earth. — James Rollins

We must each humbly bow to our own destinies. — James Rollins

For some reason, some of my best solutions and ideas are triggered in those dark theaters, usually totally unrelated to what's going on onscreen. I also enjoy hiking in the foothills and mountains close to Sacramento. I always have to bring a pen and paper to jot down sudden thoughts and ideas. So inspiration arises from countless sources. — James Rollins

If this valley is indeed cursed," Atherton continued, "there's the source. The Muslims named this set of ruins Mao Balegh, which means Cursed City. — James Rollins

This sudden appearance of Homo sapiens is attributable to the rapid mutation of only seventeen brain-building genes. A scant few, really. — James Rollins

Dit is Pangaea. - Jake — James Rollins

Still, she eyed the pair. She knew better than to underestimate an opponent. Defeat lay along that path. There could be strengths to this pair that bore watching. — James Rollins

A war is coming, a battle that will stretch from the prehistoric forests of the ancient past to the cutting-edge research labs of today, all to reveal a true mystery buried deep within our DNA, a mystery that will leave readers changed forever . — James Rollins

Throughout history, knowledge rises and falls, ebbs and flows. What once was known is forgotten again, lost in time, sometimes for centuries, only to be rediscovered ages later. — James Rollins

As to the strangest claim in the novel: that only 10 percent of the cells in our body are human (and the rest are bacteria and parasites). This is true! There is a wonderful book exploring this topic that is as horrific as it is humorous, Human Wildlife by Dr. Robert Buckman. — James Rollins

There are a thousand paths into the future, forks after forks in the road ahead. Who knows, if one road closes, maybe another opens in another universe . . . and your soul, your consciousness, leaps over to continue that journey ever forward, always finding the right path. — James Rollins

Wringin' your hands only stops you from rollin' up your sleeves. — James Rollins

It is high time Americans grew accustomed to our traditions. — James Rollins

Tesla once stated, instinct is something which transcends knowledge. "Anton, — James Rollins

When someone is always looking over their shoulder, they're more likely to trip. — James Rollins

Despite his image as a bloody tyrant, Genghis was also forward thinking. His empire had the first international postal system, invented the concept of diplomatic immunity, and even allowed women in its councils. But more importantly, the Mongols were also unprecedented in their religious tolerance. — James Rollins

He knew he probably sounded like an idiot to the scholars, but sometimes an idiot's perspective ended up getting more things done. — James Rollins

Never trust those who would be your shield. They feed on your ignorance and darkness. It is best to look at things directly and be unafraid. — James Rollins

Andy Harp's RETRIBUTION is a stunner: a blow to the gut and shot of adrenaline. Here is a novel written with authentic authority and bears shocking relevance to the dangers of today. It reminds me of Tom Clancy at his finest. Put this novel on your must-read list-anything by Harp is now on mine. — James Rollins

On the existence and threat of modern-day secret societies: We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence . . . building a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. - JOHN F. KENNEDY, FROM A SPEECH GIVEN AT THE WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL ON APRIL 27, 1961 — James Rollins

And what of our own universe? The newest conjecture is that all that we experience - from the tiniest vibrating string of energy to that massive galaxy spinning around a maelstrom of reality-ripping black holes - may be nothing more than a hologram, a three-dimensional illusion that, in fact, we may all be living in a created simulation. Could that be possible? Could Plato have been right all along: that we are blind to the true reality around us, that all we know is nothing more than the flickering shadow on a cave wall? — James Rollins

Judas paused at the edge of the Venetian ballroom, letting the colors swirl in front of him. Crimson reds, deepest golds, indigos that matched the evening sea, blacks that ate the light, and the pearly radiance of bare shoulders. Nowhere did the women dress as brightly, and display — James Rollins

It was the monster of all winged dinosaurs, the pteranodon. — James Rollins

...the world is full of ghosts .... And the longer you live, the more haunted you become.... the ghosts are there to remind us that we still live, that we still have hearts that beat, flesh that burns, lungs that gasp for air.... Never forget that ..... or those deaths have no meaning. — James Rollins

I read anything I could get my hands on: science fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers. I even became hooked on the Bantam reprints of the old pulp novels from thirties and forties: Doc Savage, The Shadow, The Avenger. — James Rollins

from any anatomical disgust — James Rollins

Everyone was just trying to find a way to be happy, to feel fulfilled. The manner in which they searched for that state differed wildly, but the prize remained the same. — James Rollins

Remember, child, life is not a straight line. It cycles. — James Rollins

AUTHOR'S NOTE TO READERS: TRUTH OR FICTION Everything in this book is true, except for what's not. I thought I'd end this adventure by splitting those hairs. First, two elements gave birth to this story. I came upon each independently, but I knew there had to be a connection and that Sigma would need to investigate. — James Rollins

Often-times it's madness, not genius that moves the world forward. Who else but the mad would reach so far, stretching for the impossible and, in so doing, prove the impossible possible! — James Rollins

commotion and flurry. — James Rollins

That's the beauty of the universe. There's always a new mystery. — James Rollins

Linda tousled his hair. "What about us girls?"
Jason blushed. "You know what I meant."
"I know." Linda leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks."
Jason turned an uncomfortable shade of purple. — James Rollins

The past is the past. It's now up to us to sustain our own culture. We only lose what we fail to nurture. — James Rollins

My colleague deciphered some bits of the writing on the wolf-totem jar. He found a smattering of words and phrases that spoke of death and destruction. Nothing more."
"So basically a waning label," Painter said.
Kowalski frowned, "Why didn't they just slap it with a skull and crossbones to begin with? It would've saved everyone a bunch of trouble. — James Rollins

I don't actually have a one wellspring of inspiration. Though I'm most often inspired while reading - both fiction and nonfiction. I subscribe to National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover, and a slew of other magazines. And it is while reading articles for pleasure and interest that an interesting 'What if?' will pop into my head. — James Rollins

It is a test," Hugh repeated adamantly. "The trio must show themselves to be worthy." "Then what's my test?" Jordan pressed. "You already passed it. In the forest, you sacrificed yourself without a fight, proving you were a Warrior who could achieve his goals through peace and nonviolence." "Then what about my test?" Rhun asked. "It came with you." Hugh bowed his head toward the cub. "You, a Knight of Christ, took pity and mercy on a creature you believed to be born of darkness, defying the edicts of your order to kill it on sight. For such mercy, you came away with a miracle of light and grace. — James Rollins

EPIGRAPH And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? — James Rollins