Steven Erikson quotes

Steven Erikson is a Canadian novelist, best known for his epic fantasy series "Malazan Book of the Fallen." His complex narratives and detailed world-building have earned him a dedicated following among fantasy readers. He is recognized for his philosophical themes and innovative storytelling. Here are 159 of his quotes:

The future can ever promise but one thing and one thing only: surprises.

Steven Erikson

Chaos needs no allies, for it dwells like a poison in every one of us.

Steven Erikson

Destiny is a lie. Destiny is justification for atrocity. It is the means by which murderers armour themselves against reprimand. It is a word intended to stand in place of ethics, denying all moral context.

Steven Erikson

The only death I fear is dying ignorant.

Steven Erikson

The tiger is humbled by memories of prey.

Steven Erikson

When you've burned the bridges behind you, don't go starting a fire on the one in front of you.

Steven Erikson

Such is the vastness of his genius that he can outwit even himself.

Steven Erikson

One day, perhaps, you will see for yourself that regrets are as nothing. The value lies in how they are answered.

Steven Erikson

The harder the world, the fiercer the honour.

Steven Erikson

The soul knows no greater anguish than to take a breath that begins with love and ends with grief.

Steven Erikson

Soldiers are issued armour for their flesh and bones, but they must fashion their own for their souls. Piece by piece. (Itkovian)

Steven Erikson

The lesson of history is that no one learns.

Steven Erikson

Wise words are like arrows flung at your forehead. What do you do? Why, you duck of course.

Steven Erikson

There is no struggle too vast, no odds too overwhelming, for even should we fail - should we fall - we will know that we have lived.

Steven Erikson

Never, dear gods. Never mess with mortals.

Steven Erikson

I was needed, but I myself did not need. I had followers, but not allies, and only now do I understand the difference. And it is vast.

Steven Erikson

I warn you all, hatred is finding fertile soil within me. And in your compassion, in your every good intention, you nurture it.

Steven Erikson

Tell me, Tool, what dominates your thoughts?” The Imass shrugged before replying. "I think of futility, Adjunct.” "Do all Imass think about futility?” "No. Few think at all.” "Why is that?” The Imass leaned his head to one side and regarded her. "Because, Adjunct, it is futile.

Steven Erikson

Do mortal fools still measure the increments leading to their deaths, wagering pleasures against costs, persisting in the delusion that deeds have value, that the world and all the gods sit in judgment over every decision made or not made?

Steven Erikson

Can you live without answers? All of you, ask that of yourself. Can you live without answers? Because if you cannot, then most assuredly you will invent your own answers and they will comfort you. And all those who do not share your view will by their very existence strike fear and hatred into your heart. What god blesses this?

Steven Erikson

I mean the only thing us dead soldiers got in common is that none of us was good enough or lucky enough to survive the fight. We're a host of failures.

Steven Erikson

Gods, I wish the world was full of passive women. He thought for a moment longer, then scowled. On second thoughts, what a nightmare that'd be. It's the job of a man to fan the spark into flames, not quench it...

Steven Erikson