Home > Work > Lion of Macedon (Greek Series, #1)
1 " No man should ever completely realize his dreams. What else would there then be to live for? "
― David Gemmell , Lion of Macedon (Greek Series, #1)
2 " Our souls are but leaves in a storm, and only the gods know where we will come to rest. "
3 " You are a Chosen Man. You are Parmenion, the Death of Nations. A hundred thousand souls will yousend to the dark river, screaming and wailing, lamenting their fate. It is right and just that youshould know your choices. "
4 " Do not complain of life's unfairness. It is never fair - at best it is impartial. "
5 " Risks? I have lived with the prospect of assassination for years. What risks? All men die, rich and poor alike. But if I am to die, then let it be while I fight, not like some bullock in a pen waiting for the ax to fall. "
6 " Life is not so simple. There are many futures. The life of a single person is like a great tree: every branch, every twig, every leaf is a possible future. "
7 " Who do you think you are?' Asiron asked, with a dry humourless laugh. 'I'll tell you who I am,' answered Parmenion, the words of Tamis echoing in his mind. 'I am Parmenion, the Death of Nations. "
8 " A man takes what the gods thrust upon him. "
9 " Most men just react to circumstances, but thinkers create the circumstances. If "
10 " grinned. ‘Xenophon taught me that victory is achieved by putting the thought of defeat into the heart of your enemy. To him goes the honour. "
11 " A servant brought them food and watered wine, and Parmenion sat and listened as Xenophon told of the March to the Sea and the evils that beset the Greeks. He outlined his strategies and his successes, but also talked of his failures and the reasons for them. The hours passed swiftly and Parmenion felt like a man dying of thirst who has found the Well of All Life. He "
12 " But an old friend once told me that society is like a spear point—wide at the base, pointed at the tip. Democrats believe you can reshape it, removing the point. But as if by magic, it will grow again. There will always be kings, Thetis, and if not kings, then dictators. It is the nature of man to strive to rise above others, to impose his will on all. "
13 " I carry the seeds of your hatred,' he shouted, hurling his words to the winds, 'and I know whereto plant them.'Yes, he thought, Thebes is the right destination for the Lion of Macedon. "
14 " The world of the ancient Greeks was one of turmoil and war, intrigue and treachery. There was no Greek nation; the divided land was ruled by scores of city states which fought continually for domination. For centuries the great cities of Athens and Sparta battled across land and sea for the right to become the leaders of Greece. Thebes, Corinth, Orchomenus, Plataea – all changed sides time and again and Victory flew between the warring factions, always the harlot, moving on, sweet with a promise she would not keep. "
