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

Life is nothing unless death has been faced down.

“I understand why some men become soldiers: to protect the nation and all that. But a whole race of people living to be soldiers seems … unhealthy. Does that sound right?”“Indeed it sounds right. But the northern steppes make poor farmland. Mainly they breed goats and ponies. Any luxuries they desire, they must steal.”

[H]e who fears to lose will never win.