Sean Russell quotes

Dandish was the ideal empiricist. Pushing back the borders of ignorance, that was his only reason for living. (Sean Russell)
Their superstitions will allow them to believe things without much critical thought. View quote
Sean Russell
Soldiers, Your Highness. Men trained not to think for themselves. View quote
Sean Russell
Men who were used to subordinating others to their wills were invariably surprised by rebellion-as though this imaginary prison they created was, in fact, real. View quote
Sean Russell
Roderick has been known to have titles and estates granted to those in his circle for accomplishing nothing more than constant agreement with his opinions, but those he has not befriended could save the kingdom and hardly receive a note of thanks. It is the way of the court and courtiers. But not everyone is so blind. View quote
Sean Russell
Experience taught him that the future was uncertain and one could prepare for it only by learning indifference to disappointment and loss. View quote
Sean Russell
They fear others-that is why they sought positions of power. Their greatest dream is to have a King who dances when they move the threads: and for Massenet, to marry his child to the heir of Entonne, and sit his grandson upon the throne. The ordinary desires of those who rise to such positions. In their appetites, they are not men of great originality. Though they will do enormous harm in spite of that. View quote
Sean Russell
To wait for life is the pathway to death. View quote
Sean Russell
The only thing of which we can be sure-time passes-everything else is vanity. View quote
Sean Russell
"I have tried to find some explanation that does not rely on logic, but once the borders of rationality have been removed I cannot imagine what should take their place. How does one begin to measure? What standards should one apply?” The prince understood what she meant. Once reason was no longer your guide, you were like a man stranded in a featureless landscape. There were no landmarks to use. One direction was as likely to yield results as any other. View quote
Sean Russell
Wood is a gift from the world of nature to we undeserving men...One should be thankful for such gifts, take no more than we need, and waste none of that. (Sean Russell)
Tristam stood and raised his glass. "May life be kind, and friends loyal. Ventures profitable, children plentiful, and age like a slow turning of the leaves in autumn; grand, beautiful and tranquil.”. View quote
Sean Russell
"It is terrible bad luck. Owls are often augurs of death, Mr. Flattery. There is no surer sign.” "Not even the cessation of breathing?” the viscount asked, but neither Tristam nor Beacham laughed. View quote
Sean Russell
If sleep sought him, it was spectacularly unsuccessful. View quote
Sean Russell
There were no sounds of men, here; only the whisperings of the world of nature, which men often called silence. View quote
Sean Russell
Ironically, or so it seemed to Tristam, the day was perfect and the green countryside rolled past in ordered tranquillity, the death of a single man having shockingly little impact on the larger world. View quote
Sean Russell
No man of the first rank is ever satisfied with his accomplishments, no matter what others make of them. View quote
Sean Russell
I am a trained empiricist, sir. Superstition is not compatible with my pursuits. View quote
Sean Russell
One of the lessons of age,” he said softly. "Do not waste what time you have in regret. View quote
Sean Russell
There was no question in Tristam's mind now that if one stared into the semidarkness long enough one would find whatever one sought. What the eye could not locate the mind would manufacture. View quote
Sean Russell
Tristam,” the old man said softly. "If I may be completely candid, you are the poorest liar. Lack of experience, no doubt-which is to your credit. (Sean Russell)
Observations interpreted by reason. Few, if any, ideas have had such impact on the lives of men. View quote
Sean Russell
Not only had he become adept at predicting the behavior of others, but he could predict his own behavior just as well. He no longer surprised himself. It was one of the saddest things about aging. View quote
Sean Russell
Well, perhaps you have begun your journey toward wisdom, Mr. Flattery,” Kent said seriously. "We have such a short time and the journey is so terribly long. One cannot begin too soon. View quote
Sean Russell
Man, he suspected, had a particular genius for complicating things, for creating social hurdles that one must leap or be thought lacking. View quote
Sean Russell