Raymond Feist Quotes & Sayings

People will often do imponderable things because of how they feel, not because of what they think. — Raymond E. Feist

From our birth we are all dying, but some of us finish sooner than others. — Raymond E. Feist

You must define yourself, for no one else has the wisdom to do it for you. — Raymond E. Feist

I feel when a writer treats a character as 'precious,' the writer runs the risk of turning them into a comic book character. There's nothing wrong with comic book characters in comic books, but I don't write comic books. — Raymond E. Feist

Every person you encounter, whom you interact with, is there to teach you something. Sometimes it may be years before you realize what each had to show you. — Raymond E. Feist

Yes," said Talon, his voice the hiss of a coiled serpent. — Raymond E. Feist

Well, he thought, dwelling on past failures once you'd learned all there was to learn was just heaping futility on failure. — Raymond E. Feist

Never offer an oath lightly. For you pledge not only your life and sacred honor, but your people's honor as well. To break an oath is to be without honor, to be without a spirit, and to be apart from the people. — Raymond E. Feist

Besides, it seems to mee that spreading the doctrine of doing good can harm no one.' Nakor shook his head. 'Would that it were true. Men have been put to death for preaching good. — Raymond E. Feist

Now he wondered what use it would be. For Kaspar's death would not bring back his father, Elk's Call at Dawn, or his mother, Whisper of the Night Wind. His brother, Hand of the Sun, and his little sister Miliana would remain dead. The only time he would hear the voice of his grandfather, Laughter in His Eyes, would be in his memory. Nothing would change. No farmer outside Krondor would suddenly stand up in wonder and say, "A wrong has been righted." No boot-maker in Roldem would look up from his bench and say, "A people has been avenged. — Raymond E. Feist

It was an interesting dilemma and with all such dilemmas an opportunity might emerge. 'How best to turn this setback into an advantage,' he wondered silently. — Raymond E. Feist

As they walked he glanced sideways and at last asked, "You are the one they call Pug?"
If Pug hadn't already been surprised by what they had encountered, he was now openly taken aback. "Yes," he said.
"I'd thought you'd be taller," mused the Pantathian. — Raymond E. Feist

few things of worth are ever simple. Or easy.' Tomas — Raymond E. Feist

Never underestimate the potential for human stupidity when wealth and power are at stake. — Raymond E. Feist

In the end, my reasons for moving down the timeline and introducing a new cast have more to do with keeping myself entertained, on the assumption that if I get bored, my readers are going to be even more bored. — Raymond E. Feist

The ways of the heart are complex." He looked out at the ocean again. "The waves churn and break upon the rocks, Talon. So do human feelings. Passion can be a man's undoing. With passion must come wisdom; otherwise, your enemies have a weapon to use against you. — Raymond E. Feist

Forgive me, Magnus.'
'I don't know if I can.'
'You must.'
Still looking into the distance, he said, 'You need my forgiveness?'
'No. I'm dead. You can do nothing for me. You need to forgive me so you can live. — Raymond E. Feist

I just pray I don't have to work on you some day. Stitching together flesh that has no soul is bitter work. — Raymond E. Feist

He reminded himself as he turned another corner - glancing automatically into the shadows to see if anyone lurked there - the deed was the thing, not the praise. — Raymond E. Feist

I know he hasn't a mean or petty bone in him, but one can err on the side of caution as well as rashness. — Raymond E. Feist

I've never worried about 'the reader' because there isn't one. There are thousands, and they all have strong opinions, from 'Magician' was the best ever,' and I've gone downhill since to 'The new book is the best ever,' so to whom to I listen? So I write for myself and hope other people like it. — Raymond E. Feist

My father used to say, "a day spent breathing is a good day — Raymond E. Feist

Remember, never rely on one plan, Tal. Always have two or more in place when you undertake something perilous. If the first one fails, go to the second plan. If the second plan fails, go to the third." "If the third plan fails, Your Grace?" Kaspar laughed. "Then run like hell if you're still alive. — Raymond E. Feist

when you enter another's reality, you observe her rules. Then — Raymond E. Feist

Trying to guess the enemy's next move is useful; trying to guess what they are thinking is pointless. — Raymond E. Feist

Jigsaw Lady is the working title of a science fiction novel I've had in my head for darn near 15 years. I think I'll start work on it next year (in all my spare time) but I'd like to get it finished some day. — Raymond E. Feist

I wonder if those who live here get used to this beauty."

"Undoubtedly, Magnificence. It is the nature of man to become oblivious to that which is around him daily, — Raymond E. Feist

Altruism accrues little benefit to those lying cold in the gutter. — Raymond E. Feist

Now go. An actor should know when to leave the stage, a poet when the lay is finished, and a bard when it is time to put aside the lute. — Raymond E. Feist

Either systems are in balance or they are falling apart. If people are acting in what appears to be a twisted way, I want to know the reason for that. — Raymond E. Feist

Then the universe rocks. The very fabric of reality is rent. — Raymond E. Feist

Neal had a couple of good ideas and they fit nicely, so that's the way I decided to go. — Raymond E. Feist

Often I'll try things that just won't happen the way I'd like them to, so hearing that they're not working saves me some wear and tear the next time around. — Raymond E. Feist

A hunt leader could not show fear, or let it linger in his stomach, for others would sense it soon enough, taste that fear and become possessed by it. They would hesitate when an order was given, and uncertainty would claim their life as readily as the blade of the enemy. — Raymond E. Feist

Men love their fears. That is why they hold on to them so tightly. — Raymond E. Feist

People like rules, or at least the appearance of rules, even in fantasy. — Raymond E. Feist

My father, an occasionally wise man, once said that we were blessed only when the gods remained ignorant of us. — Raymond E. Feist

Among our people we have the recognition, the sudden knowledge that a mate is before you. Not all our people know this certainty, and to them falls the difficult task of slowly building a bond with another who has also not known the recognition. With Calis and Elien, it is the difficult way. But often it ends in a love as profound as the first. — Raymond E. Feist

But to speed it along, he needs to know that pain will come. The knack is to not engage the pain, not hold on to it like a treasured thing, but to simply let it pass through and wait until it's gone. It will come less frequently and after a time, be gone. — Raymond E. Feist

My ancestors were conquerors, though now they are heroes in our history." Glancing at Amos, he said, "But we wrote the history. — Raymond E. Feist

Informants can be helpful, but they are never infallible. All tools can break, or be turned into weapons. — Raymond E. Feist

Power in and of itself is neither worthy of respect nor fear; it simply is. It is how power is employed, and towards what ends, that ennobles or denigrates the wielder of power. — Raymond E. Feist

Most of us move through life with little chance to learn much about ourselves. We know some things we like and some things we dislike, we have a few ideas about what makes us happy, and we die in ignorance regarding anything profound within ourselves. — Raymond E. Feist

More men have been defeated by reports than all the steel of all the swords in history. — Raymond E. Feist

The thought struck Dennis that a hundred years before he was even born Tinuva undoubtedly knew of the river. Again he realized just how ancient the elven race was and with it came the recognition of just how much they risked when facing battle: it wasn't just a score of years in the balance, it was a score of decades. — Raymond E. Feist

It's tempting to think of yourself as powerful when those around you are far less so, but compared to the simple fact of existence, to the power of life and how it hangs on, we are nothing. — Raymond E. Feist

The real secret of magic is that there is no magic. — Raymond E. Feist

It's the problem with having a logical mind and giving women the same credit for ability as men, he mused as he dismounted. You can't contrive reasons to keep them safe. — Raymond E. Feist

But for the most part, love is a recognition, an opportunity to say, 'There is something about you I cherish. — Raymond E. Feist

Science fiction is fantasy about issues of science. Science fiction is a subset of fantasy. Fantasy predated it by several millennia. The '30s to the '50s were the golden age of science fiction - this was because, to a large degree, it was at this point that technology and science had exposed its potential without revealing the limitations. — Raymond E. Feist

One time is much like another to death. She comes when she will. So why give over your mind to worry? — Raymond E. Feist

I let my anger consume me."

"It's understandable," she said.

"It may be understandable," replied Pug, "but it is no more forgivable for being understandable. — Raymond E. Feist

The saddest part of a broken heart
Isn't the ending so much as the start
The tragedy starts from the very first spark
Losing your mind for the sake of your heart — Raymond E. Feist

here you've got to live, breathe, and eat trust, or you're dead. — Raymond E. Feist

You know what it is to laugh at death, Arutha. You'll never be the same man again. — Raymond E. Feist

People most often don't see what is right before them. — Raymond E. Feist

The first love is the difficult love. — Raymond E. Feist

Don't assume the world evolved in the order in which you discovered it. — Raymond E. Feist

He likes to humble our foes by making them seem ridiculous. As he said to me the other day, 'Kill a man, and you cede him honor in the eyes of the gods. Laugh at him and you shame him'. — Raymond E. Feist

Dirk, stunning the man. Borric shoved the third bruiser hard into a fat merchant — Raymond E. Feist

We'll never again be the boys we once were, Tomas. But we've become so much more than we dreamed. — Raymond E. Feist

Of all the weaknesses that beset a man, vanity is the most deadly. For through vanity can a wise man turn to folly. — Raymond E. Feist

There was nothing left to fear. He would endure or he wouldn't. — Raymond E. Feist

The sun had burned off whatever morning fog and low clouds had gripped the city, and now a glorious fall day was upon them. Warm sunlight caressed his face as cool ocean breezes carried the sound of gulls and the tang of salt. He remembered the stab of pain he had felt when he had thought he would not see the day, and the terror and panic that had gripped him as rough hands had placed him upon the gallows returned. Erik felt a choking sensation in his own chest, and suddenly, without any ability to control it, he began to weep. Roo — Raymond E. Feist

Also, it's risky to try to duplicate earlier success. Magician had a certain charm to it, mostly due to my choice of lead characters, that I would be hard put to duplicate. — Raymond E. Feist

Find where the sound ends and silence begins. Then exist in that moment, for there will you find your secret centre of being, the perfect place of peace within yourself. — Raymond E. Feist

What is life for?' he asked rhetorically. 'It's a way to evolve thought. And what is thought for? It's a way to be aware, a stage between the physical and the spiritual. And time? it's a good way to keep things separated. — Raymond E. Feist

It is said by some that the gods show us their bitter humor by molding us into what we hate most in others. — Raymond E. Feist

Life is problems. Living is solving problems. — Raymond E. Feist

Some loves come unbidden like winds from the sea, and others grow from the seeds of friendship. — Raymond E. Feist

Have you ever wronged a man . . . just to do him harm? Or have you always had a reason?'

Kaspar answered quickly. 'There was always a reason.'

'There you have it,' said Samas as he sat down. He motioned for Kaspar to fetch over a cup of water for him. 'You would never look at yourself as "evil" no matter what the other fellow thought of what you did. It's in our nature. And that's the great secret of evil. It is never viewed as evil by those who perpetrate the evil. — Raymond E. Feist

A shrieking battle cry echoed on the wind, a spine-tingling scream that sounded like the baying of the wolves closing in on their prey. — Raymond E. Feist

Tragic to kill a friend in battle by mistake when there are so many enemies to go around. — Raymond E. Feist

You can be as sharp-tongued as a viper, but you can also be as sweet as wild clover honey. — Raymond E. Feist

A man makes choices," Tal said.

"True, but what choices a man makes depends on what choices he is offered. — Raymond E. Feist

History is written by victors," said Duko. "But I have little use for history. It is the future with which I am concerned. — Raymond E. Feist

Never think taking a life is easy. Do that and in a way they win. — Raymond E. Feist

You must step forward, Arutha. You will never be the man for whom you were named, and you will never be your father, but nature didn't intend for you to be either of those men, no matter how worthy they were. You must become the best man you are capable of. — Raymond E. Feist

No, killing a man is fairly easy. It is killing him and not getting caught that makes it difficult. — Raymond E. Feist

There are sunsets above other oceans, Ghuda. Mighty sights and great wonders to behold. — Raymond E. Feist

Tell them this: somehow our two worlds stand linked again by some dark power of Tsurani origin. It moves against the Kingdom. It is power beyond human understanding, perhaps power to challenge the gods themselves. — Raymond E. Feist

Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, Talon said, 'It doesn't matter. They are all dead.' He felt moisture gathering in his eyes and blinked. 'It's been a while since I've felt that.'

Caleb nodded. 'It never goes away, completely. But you'll discover other things in life. — Raymond E. Feist

The faults we see in others never seem as dreadful as those we see in ourselves. — Raymond E. Feist

Debts of friendship are not debts. — Raymond E. Feist

Friends can betray you, but with an old enemy, you always know where you stand. — Raymond E. Feist

One of the problems with being my age is you look at everyone who is younger as children, and when everyone else around you is younger, it means you live in a universe of children. So you tend to scold more than is proper. — Raymond E. Feist

the enemy of our enemy is our ally, — Raymond E. Feist

One likes to think one grows as a writer as one ages, else all you get is an 'old' young writer. Beyond that is the changing landscape of the universe and the stories I choose to tell. — Raymond E. Feist

His mind was an enraged animal, bouncing off the bars of a magically imposed cage, and like an animal, he reacted blindly, striking against the barrier again and again, determined either to be free or to die. Hot — Raymond E. Feist

There is no idea so brilliant or original that a sufficiently-untalented writer can't screw it up. — Raymond E. Feist

No matter how canny you think you are, something can come along, bam, and put you on your prat. — Raymond E. Feist

You can't succeed unless you're willing to risk failure — Raymond E. Feist

He considered the importance of what he was to do, and calmed himself. He felt the dragon's mood and acknowledged it. It was a willingness to accept whatever fate brought, but without a resignation to defeat. Death might come, but with it might also come victory. — Raymond E. Feist

The universe collapsed and came crashing down upon them. It — Raymond E. Feist

Never accept the proposition that just because a solution satisfies a problem, that it must be the only solution. — Raymond E. Feist

she fills a dark and cold place within me as no one else has."

"If it is still dark and cold when she is not with you, it is not truly filled. — Raymond E. Feist

He had seen the worst and best of the rest, and had gone from a fraternity of men bent on trivial gain by any means, including murder, to a fellowship of men who would sacrifice even their own lives for the greater good.
His ambition was to be like them, to be noble by strength of purpose and clarity of vision rather than by accident of birth. — Raymond E. Feist

I won't say that writing is therapy, but for me, the act of writing is therapy. The ability to be productive is good for my mental health. It's always better for me to be writing than vegetating on some couch. — Raymond E. Feist

If I leave my computer, I'm probably not going to get back for hours. If I take a few minutes to answer questions and go web surfing, then guilt kicks in and I get back to work. — Raymond E. Feist

Why? Why do you care what happens to scum like them?'
De Loungville moved his horse alongside Erik's, so he was almost nose-to-nose with Erik when he answered. 'I don't care what happens to scum like them. You could cut off a piece at a time over a week and I wouldn't give a whore's promise for what it would do to them. But I do care what it would do to you, Erik. — Raymond E. Feist