Gemmell Quotes & Sayings

No need for confusion, my dear Mulgrave [ ... ] Beautiful wine and sour vinegar come from exactly the same source. Curiously if one leaves a bottle of wine open for long enough it will become vinegar. Happily in this house wine never survives long enough to go bad. — David Gemmell

Each man has a breaking point, no matter how strong his spirit. Somewhere, deep inside him, there is a flaw that only the fickle cruelty of fate can find. — David Gemmell

There is a darkness in you. In all of us, probably. Beasts we keep chained. Ordinary men have to keep the chains strong, for if we let the beast loose then society will turn upon us with fiery vengeance. Kings though ... well, who is there to turn upon them? So the chains are made of straw. It is the curse of kings, Helikaon, that they can become monsters. And they invariably do. — David Gemmell

Most men just react to circumstances, but thinkers create the circumstances. If — David Gemmell

Man alone, it seems, lives all his life in the knowledge of death. And yet there is more to life than merely waiting for death. For life to have meaning, there must be a purpose. A man must pass something on - otherwise he is useless. "For most men that purpose revolves around marriage and children — David Gemmell

Have faith in the wisdom of that we call change — Nikki Gemmell

Remember that the sudden decision to stop fighting, and just go with the flow, can be incredibly releasing. Resistance is just so draining. There is a beauty to gracious acceptance, an energy that leads to peace. — Nikki Gemmell

And I am in love with light. Lock me in the sunshine. — Nikki Gemmell

You can buy gold that is bright as the sun and diamonds as pale as the moon. But you cannot buy the sun. You cannot own the moon. II — David Gemmell

He'll come because he has to. He'll come because that's what heroes do. They fight for what is right, no matter what the cost. -Galliott (Ravenheart) — Noor A. Jahangir

What is the shocking weakness in virtually every man you know well? The whimpering like children when they're ill. The need for women to ask directions for them. Help shop for their clothes. Book appointments for their hair to be cut because they don't care to speak for themselves. The inability to pick up a phone if they want a relationship to stop. Are the weaknesses you see again and again a symptom of men in this age, or have they always been there, and women, secretly, have always known? — Nikki Gemmell

I think maybe it is better to believe than not to believe. But I couldn't tell you why. — David Gemmell

Why now? Why not? 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. Far better to have tasted love before dying, than to die alone. — David Gemmell

A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity. — David Gemmell

It is said that the gates of paradise can only be opened by the tears of those left behind. I do not know whether that be true. It should be, I think. — David Gemmell

So you will not kneel to me?" He said.
I will kneel to no man, "She answered, preparing herself for the push that would send her toppling to her death and ready to haul him with her.
You interest me, girl. There is no fear in you."
Nor in you, apparently, King Priam."
He looked surprised. "Fear if for weaklings. Look around you. This is Troy. My Troy. The richest and most powerful city in the world. It was not built by fearful men, but my men with imagination and courage. It's wealth grows Daily, and with it the influence that wealth brings. — David Gemmell

No one except your husband knows of the cautiousness at the heart of your life. Your adulthood has been a progressive retreat from curiosity and wonder, an endless series of delays and procrastinations. You wanted to be so much, once, but life kept on getting in the way ... You settled. Shunned creativity, flight, risk, never had the courage to give a dream, any dream, a go. — Nikki Gemmell

What will you do now?'
I think I will become a monk and devote my entire life to prayer and good works.'
No,' said Rek. 'I mean, what will you do today?'
Ah! Today I'll get drunk and go whoring,' said Bowman. — David Gemmell

Risks? I have lived with the prospect of assassination for years. What risks? All men die, rich and poor alike. But if I am to die, then let it be while I fight, not like some bullock in a pen waiting for the ax to fall. — David Gemmell

No one can take away the freedom of a man's soul. — David Gemmell

It is the nature of men to build walls around themselves. They think it will protect them from hurt. It does the opposite. The hurt still gets in, but now it rattles around the walls, unable to get out. So you build more walls. You are now seeing the world without walls. You are free, Ro. Free to hurt and free to heal. — David Gemmell

Kings are chosen by the Source, so it is said ... Therefore those who fight for the king can be said to be godly. Is that not cause enough? — David Gemmell

When your life has been spent in one war after another for forty-five years, you have to be pretty handy to survive. — David Gemmell

I don't give a damn, laddie. Until the actual moment, when they cut me down, I shall still be looking to win. And the gods of war are fickle at best. — David Gemmell

Most wars are fought for greed, but we are luckier here we fight for our lives and the lives of the people we love. — David Gemmell

None of us can choose the manner of our passing. — David Gemmell

When healers yearn to kill then hope begins to die ... Evil cannot be overcome by evil. — David Gemmell

My point is there will always be vile men, just as there will always be men of kindness and compassion ... This world is a troubled, savage, place. It would, however, even be more ghastly if only evil men took time to master weapons. - Waylander from the book Hero in the Shadows by David Gemmell — David Gemmell

Heroes are people who face down their fears. It is that simple. A child afraid of the dark who one day blows out the candle; a women terrified of the pain of childbirth who says, 'It is time to become a mother'. Heroism does not always live on the battlefield. — David Gemmell

True. The one certainty about riding, Braygan, is that - at some time - you will fall off. It is a fact. Another fact you might like to consider, in your life of perpetual terror, is that you will die. We are all going to die, some of us young, some of us old, some of us in our sleep, some of us screaming in agony. We cannot stop it, we can only delay it. — David Gemmell

Love is both wondrous and yet full of peril. Love is a gateway through which hatred - disguised and unrecognized - can pass. — David Gemmell

I am not going to talk about patriotism, duty, liberty, and the defense of freedom because that's all dung to a soldier. — David Gemmell

Drawing his sword, he gazed down at the gleaming blade. 'I pledge you to the destruction of Sparta,' he whispered. Raising the weapon high he pointed it to the south-east and, though the city was far beyond his range of vision, he pictured the sword poised above it with the sun's harsh light turning it to fire. — David Gemmell

Love is in the eyes, and one woman knows when another woman is in love. — David Gemmell

An emptiness when you realize the loneliest you've ever been is within a marraige, as a wife — Nikki Gemmell

Nothing in life is sure, my son. Except the promise of death. — David Gemmell

She can't catch on to slumber, the relief of oblivion. — Nikki Gemmell

A man takes what the gods thrust upon him. — David Gemmell

Only a fool loves war," said Calvar, "or a man who has never seen it. The trouble is that the survivors forget about the horrors and remember only the battle lust. They pass on that memory, and other men hunger for it. — David Gemmell

In any broth, the scum [politicians] always rises to the top. — David Gemmell

Danger lies in the extreme. A man who is always cruel is evil, a man who is always compassionate will be taken advantage of. It is more a question of balance, or harmony, if you will. — David Gemmell

Be at peace, my friend. One thing I have learnt about Death is that his bark is worse than his bite. — David Gemmell

Do not complain of life's unfairness. It is never fair - at best it is impartial. — David Gemmell

It's a funny thing about weaknesses ... Most people will tell you they know their weaknesses. When asked, they'll tell you, 'Well for one thing, I'm overgenerous.' ... that's what innkeepers are for. — David Gemmell

The truth? What the Hell is the truth? We're born, we live and we die. Everything else is just shades of opinion. — David Gemmell

Too many people go through life without pausing to enjoy what they have. — David Gemmell

A man's strength is ultimately born of his knowledge of his own weakness ... — David Gemmell

Love requires a different kind of courage, Andromache. — David Gemmell

The purpose of debates is to explore issues, not end them. — David Gemmell

Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people seek it. — David Gemmell

No matter how much Theo achieves and acquires and out-dazzles everyone else, she never seems content. She's taught you that people who shine more lavishly that everyone else seem to be penalized by discontent, as if they're being punished for craving a brighter life. I've been knocked down so many times I can't remember the number plates, she said once. — Nikki Gemmell

Life can be savored only if you look to the future and leave vengeance to the gods — David Gemmell

Our modern world, though infinitely more complex than that of ancient Greece, is also far more superficial. Where the Greeks offered simple psychological training, we live in an age of style and spin in which perceptions of good and evil slither and shift with the political view of the moment. — David Gemmell

Your men are brave men, And you have won. I can live with that, Earl of Bronze a poor man would I be if I could not. — David Gemmell

Yours is a race whose imagination is limited to its own small appetites. Greed, lust, envy - these are the motivating forces of humankind. What redeems you is that in every man and woman there is a seed that can grow to encompass love, joy and compassion. But this seed is never allowed to prosper in fertile ground. It struggles for life among the rocks of your human soul. — David Gemmell

In every one of us is the total of all we have ever been, the sullen child, the arrogant youth, the suckling babe. Every fear endured in childhood is lodged somewhere in here.' He tapped his temple. 'And every act of heroism or cowardice, generosity or meanness of spirit. — David Gemmell

Most of the heroes we remember we remember only because they won. To win you must be ruthless. Single-minded ... which was why he had no friends just admirers. — David Gemmell

A man should not risk his life for beauty alone, Kiall, for that fades. You might as well risk it for a rose. Think on it. — David Gemmell

No, but if you will forgive me, let me say this: all children are creatures of joy, and all people are capable of love. You feel you lost everything, but there was a time before your joy when your children did not exist and your wife was unknown to you. Could it not be that there is a woman somewhere who will fill your life with love, and bear you children to bring you joy? — David Gemmell

Do not speak badly of yourself, for the warrior that is inside you hears your words and is lessened by them. — David Gemmell

An enemy is like a man's most prized flower. It brings him joy to see it buried in the ground. — David Gemmell

The nature of a coward is to avoid death. If such a man courts peril there can be only two reasons. Either he is not a coward at all or there is no danger. — David Gemmell

Win or lose, we achieve nothing in the world that we understand [ ... ]' 'But then the world does not matter.' 'Indeed it does not [ ... ] It is good to understand that. — David Gemmell

So, he feels now, that he doesn't have to try. And you want him more than you ever have before. — Nikki Gemmell

I underestimated you, woman." ... "The cry of men down the ages. — David Gemmell

Fear is good, for it makes us cautious and aids survival. Not so with terror. It is like slow poison, paralyzing the limbs and blurring the mind ... Never, when in danger, ask yourself, What will they do to me? Instead think, What can I do to prevent them? — David Gemmell

We ought to call it something,' said Banokles thoughtfully. 'We can't just keep calling it "that big bastard horse". It ought to have a name.' 'What do you suggest?' - 'Arse Face. — David Gemmell

Who do you think you are?' Asiron asked, with a dry humourless laugh. 'I'll tell you who I am,' answered Parmenion, the words of Tamis echoing in his mind. 'I am Parmenion, the Death of Nations. — David Gemmell

A man can overcome his background, even as he can overcome a skilled opponent. — David Gemmell

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the persuit of evil. — David Gemmell

Not one of the creatures of blood can escape death. We all face it, and succumb to it. It follows us like a dark shadow. Yet if we live in terror of it, then we do not live at all. Yes we are born alone, and yes we will die alone. But in between, Tae, we live. We know joy. — David Gemmell

I shall die soon ... Here at this Dros. And what will I have achieved in my life? I have no sons nor daughters. No living kin ... Few friends. They will say, 'Here lies Druss. He killed many and birthed none'."
"They will say more than that," said Virae suddenly. "They'll say, 'Here lies Druss the Legend, who was never mean, petty nor needlessly cruel. Here was a man who never gave in, never compromised his ideals, never betrayed a friend, never despoiled a woman and never used his strength against the weak.' They'll say 'He had no sons, but many a woman asleep with her babes slept more soundly for knowing Druss stood with the Drenai.' They'll say many things, whitebeard. Through many generations they will say them, and men with no strength will find strength when they hear them."
"That would be pleasant," said the old man, smiling. — David Gemmell

I would have offered you a forest of truth, but you wish to speak of a single leaf — David Gemmell

Trust your instincts, and make judgements on what your heart tells you. The heart will not betray you. — David Gemmell

Hatred is like a plague. It is all-consuming, and it springs from man to man. — David Gemmell

The night has a capacity for terror that the day can never match. — David Gemmell

We all of us carry the seed of evil in our hearts and souls," she told him. "Even the purest, even the most holy. It is part of the human condition, born into us. We cannot root it out. All we can do - at best - is prevent it from germinating. — David Gemmell

War is the enemy of civilization. We cannot grow through war, Xander. It drags us down, filling our hearts with hatred and thoughts of revenge. — David Gemmell

Death haunts everyone and never fails — David Gemmell

Our natural and happiest life is when we lose ourselves in the exquisite absorption of home. — Nikki Gemmell

I make little distinction betwee those who commit evil and those who stand by and do nothing. — David Gemmell

And what is a man? He is someone who rises when life has knocked him down. He is 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 present scheme of things: peasant, serf, or dispossessed. But he is unconquerable — David Gemmell

We are tiny flames, Helikaon, and we flicker alone in the great dark for no more than a heartbeat. When we strive for wealth, glory and fame, it is meaningless. The nations we fight for will one day cease to be. Even the mountains we gaze upon will crumble to dust. To truly live we must yearn for that which does not die. — David Gemmell

This is the real magic of fantasy fiction: it can feed souls and change lives. — David Gemmell

All beauty is sad. For it fades. — David Gemmell

Boy," said Druss, his eyes cold, "think well about this venture. For make no mistake, you cannot
stand before me and live. No man ever has." The words were spoken softly, yet no one disbelieved the
old man. — David Gemmell

Would ride into fire. For Odysseus that whip was pride. — David Gemmell

How simple love would be, Younger Brother, if we only had to bestow it on those who deserved it. Yet what would it be worth? If you gave a poor man a silver coin then that would be a gift. If you expected him to pay you back, then that would make it a loan. We do not loan our love, Lantern. We give it freely. — David Gemmell

Never be glad that another man has died. Not ever . [ ... ] It never ends. Never ... ever ... be glad to kill. — David Gemmell

I caught a pebble in the moonlight. — David Gemmell

My happiness is not in the gift of others. I will be happy or I will not be happy. No man will supply it or deprive me of it. — David Gemmell

No matter how impossible this war, I shall fight to win. Whatever I have to do, I will do. — David Gemmell

We like to think of life as a constant ... Yet it can be ended in a heartbeat. — David Gemmell

Bow to nothing, son. I make mistakes as well as any man. If you think me wrong, be so good as to damn well say so. — David Gemmell

Come back and stand with us, lad. We will all go down together that's what makes us who we are. — David Gemmell

There is evil in all of us, and it is the mark of a man how he defies the evil within. — David Gemmell

All men have talents. Some build, some paint, some write, some fight. For me it is different. — David Gemmell

But men don't come in just two groups, one of gold and the other of lead. They are a mix of both." "And what about women?" "Pure gold, my girl," Rayvan answered with a chuckle. — David Gemmell

An emptiness rules at its core, a rottenness, a silence when one of you retires to bed without saying good night, when you eat together without conversation, when the phone's passed wordlessly to the other. An emptiness when every night you lie in the double bed, restlessly awake, astounded at how closely hate can nudge against love, can wind around it sinuously like a cat. An emptiness when you realize that the loneliest you've ever been is within a marriage, as a wife. — Nikki Gemmell

What is life if a man cannot count on his friends when he has gone mad? — David Gemmell