David Gemmel

"Why do they do it?" whispered Horeb. "Their eyes, you mean?" said Rek. "Yes. How can a man put out his own eyes?" "Damned if I know. They say it aids their visions." "Sounds about as sensible as cutting off your staff in order to aid your sex life."

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

War. What was it about the prospect of some bloody enterprises that reduced men to the level of animals?

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone fails at something.

A problem shared is a problem doubled.

Some of you are probably thinking that you may panic and run. You will not! Others are worried about dying. Some of you will. But all men die. No one ever gets out of this life alive.

By nature of definition only the coward is capable of the highest heroism.

While men compete in war, there will be warriors. While there are warriors, there will be princes among warriors. Among the princes will be kings, and among the kings an emperor.

Only a fool loves war. 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.

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.

[F]ear is a great ally.

A man with wife and daughters has no place losing his temper.