You have a powerful army, Kublai, but the best force is one you do not have to use.

It's all you can say, when the end comes: 'I did not waste my time.' I think that matters. I think it may be all that matters.

History was more than just stories, he reminded himself as the men walked forward with their burdens. It taught lessons as well.

The world cannot be full of lead dogs, or the pack would pull itself apart.

There is a price for all things, my son, for all men. I have merely to find his.

No worthy goal should come easily, he told himself. Suffering created value.

I am not you and all my choices have already been made, good and bad.

I am the rightful khan of the nation. I am the gur-khan. My word is iron and my word is law.

Predators did not need mercy.

Sung Win smiled to himself, enjoying the tension across his shoulders and the way his pulse beat in his veins. All life involved risk.

We are all fools with our sons. We wipe them and suckle them and all we expect is for them to be grateful to the end of their days.

The only value of this world lay in its power - at certain times - to suggest another world.

Show me a fantasy novel about Chernobyl--there isn't one! Because reality is more fantastic.

Speak beautiful words to create beautiful world

You cannot parcel out freedom in pieces because freedom is all or nothing.

Wealth is not the standard of worth. Some people put cash before character.

Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.

It is not the mere station of life that stamps the value on us, but the manner in which we act our part.

I dream of a love that is more than two people craving to possess one another.

But I am not discouraged. I do not despair for our country. I believe tonight, as I always have, that the essential decency, compassion and common sense of the American people will prevail.

The advantage of doing one's praising for oneself is that one can lay it on so thick and exactly in the right places.