# Quote — David Gemmell, Legend

> There is only one way to survive in war, and that is by being willing to die. You will find soon that swordsmen can be downed by untutored savages who would slice their fingers if asked to carve meat. And why? because the savage is willing. Worse, he may be a baresark.

- Author: [David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md)
- Book: [Legend](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Gemmell#Legend) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend/there-is-only

## More from this book

> Life is nothing unless death has been faced down.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend/life-is-nothing.md)

> “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.”

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend/i-understand-why.md)

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

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend/h-e-who-fears.md)