James Clavell Quotes

All stories have a beginning, a middle and an ending, and if they're any good, the ending is a beginning.

Anger is something you should only vent in front of intimates, and friends and relations. Never be angry in front of strangers because you lose face.

You never know . . . that's what makes life interesting.

So much of 'normal, civilized' life is bull that you can't imagine... What frightens you, doesn't frighten me, what frightens me, you'd laugh at.

Guard yourself and your conscience no one else will and know that a bad decision at the right time can destroy you far more surely than any bullet!

What can I do to help thee?" he asked. "Believe there is a tomorrow.

Life and death are the same...Leave karma to karma.

.., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite than when he is planning or has planned your destruction.

The search for the truth is the most important work in the whole world - and the most dangerous.

How beautiful life is and how sad! How fleeting, with no past and no future, only a limitless now.

Only by living at the edge of death can you understand the indescribable joy of life - Shogun.

Wars are fought by teenagers, you realize that. They really ought to be fought by the politicians and old people who start these wars.

There is no dignity for either the sufferer or the torturer

Changi for me - of course it's easy to be wise after the event, and to discuss it cleverly after the event - was about as near as you can get to being dead and still be alive.

The more I know, the more sure I am I know so little. The eternal paradox.

First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores.

Horses are far worse than men for treachery.

Of what real value is a title? The power is the only important thing

What are clouds, but an excuse for the sky? What is life, but an escape from death?

God gives us intelligence to uncover the wonders of nature. Without the gift, nothing is possible.

Isn't man but a blossom taken by wind, and only the mountains and the sea and the stars and this land of the gods everlasting?

What you do with strangers is ignore them for. No second chance, no sorry I did it, never accept an apology, but never, ever get angry with strangers.

The scarcity of years does not necessitate lack of wisdom.

Anger is one of the most intimate of emotions and to expose it to strangers is one of the most stupid and sickening things to do. Never get angry with strangers because they are strangers.

It's always important to take time to study men -- important men. Friends and enemies.

Isn't it only laughter we can stay human?

How can a man be so brave and so stupid, so gentle and so cruel, so warming and so detestable -- all at the same time?

Christ, it's so good to be alive.

You've commited murder just as much as Helene did. You killed a fly with a human head. She killed a human with a fly head.

The search for the truth is the most important work in the whole world, and the most dangerous.

Perhaps that is why we love life so much, Anjin-san. You see, we have to. Death is part of our air and see and earth.

Fallibility in a leader is very trying. Isn’t it? They spill so much of other people’s blood.

Only merchants have money to waste, and what are they but parasites who create nothing, grow nothing, make nothing but feed off another's labor?

When a man's pride is injured, death is a small price to repay the insult.

That's the first rule of survival in enemy waters: volunteer nothing.

Only a real man has the right to stand at the pinnacle.

Patience is important for a man, vital for a leader

Gods are like people. They believe anything if you tell them right way.

The sun dances in her and she has an immense joy of life

What is pain to a man? A privilege!

Listen, if you want peace you must learn to drink cha from an empty cup.

The skyScorched by the sun, WeepsFecund tears.

Wars are fought by teenagers, you realize that. They really ought to be fought by the politicians and old people who start these wars." (Interview with Don Swaim of CBS Radio-1986)