James Clavell

“Patience is important for a man, vital for a leader”

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

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

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

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

“What is pain to a man? A privilege!”

“First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores.”

“Without trade the world will become what it was once—a hell where only the strongest arm and the heaviest lash was law. The meek will never inherit the earth. Aye, but at least they can be protected by law to live out their lives as they wish.”

“It's a saying they have, that a man has a false heart in his mouth for the world to see, another in his breast to show to his special friends and his family, and the real one, the true one, the secret one, which is never known to anyone except to himself alone, hidden only God knows where.”

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

“Why is she afraid?" he asked. "She's not Anjin-san. Just a little nervous. Please excuse her. She's never seen a foreigner close to before." "Tell her when the moon's full, barbarians sprout horns and fire comes out of our mouths like dragons.”

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

“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)”

“...to think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world." If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral you down into the ever-increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however,requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is about. So, train your mind to dwell on sweet perfumes...”

“Always remember, child... that to think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral you down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one onf the things that discipline - training - is about.”