James Clavell Professions : Novelist Born : October 10, 1924 Died : September 7, 1994 Browse All Authors Top 42 quotes by James Clavell How baffling it was that even the most cunning and clever people would frequently see only what they wanted to see, and would rarely look beyond the thinnest of facades. Or they would ignore reality, dismissing it as the facade. And then, when their whole world fell to pieces...they would tear their topknots or rend their clothes and bewail their karma, blaming gods or kami or luck or their lords or husbands or vassals-anything or anyone-but never themselves. James Clavell karma husband clever What are clouds, but an excuse for the sky? What is life, but an escape from death? James Clavell excuse sky clouds The search for the truth is the most important work in the whole world - and the most dangerous. James Clavell truth-is important world Horses are far worse than men for treachery. James Clavell treachery horse men 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. James Clavell events alive wise There is no dignity for either the sufferer or the torturer James Clavell shoguns sufferers dignity Changi became my university instead of my prison. Among the inmates there were experts in all walks of life - the high and the low roads. I studied and absorbed everything I could from physics to counterfeiting, but most of all I learned the art of surviving. James Clavell inmates experts art The scarcity of years does not necessitate lack of wisdom. James Clavell scarcity doe years 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? James Clavell stars taken men Isn't it only laughter we can stay human? James Clavell laughter humans 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. James Clavell dragons moon fire First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores. James Clavell atheism atheist firsts Of what real value is a title? The power is the only important thing James Clavell titles important real It's always important to take time to study men -- important men. Friends and enemies. James Clavell important men enemy 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? James Clavell stupid brave men Blackthorne, beside the gates, was still turmoiled by his boundless joy at her reprieve and he remembered how his own will had been stretched that night of his near-seppuku, when he had had to get up as a man and walk home as a man unsupported, and became samurai. And he watched her, despising the need for this courage, yet understanding it, even honoring it. James Clavell home men night God gives us intelligence to uncover the wonders of nature. Without the gift, nothing is possible. James Clavell wonder-of-nature wonder giving And Adam ruled, for he was the King. Until the day his will to be King deserted him. Then he died, food for a stronger. And the strongest was always the King, not by strength alone, but King by cunning and luck and strength together. Among the rats. James Clavell luck kings together 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. James Clavell second-chance apology sorry Christ, it's so good to be alive. James Clavell alive christ Similar Authors Adam Johnson novelist Ivan Goncharov novelist Binnie Kirshenbaum novelist Bruce Jay Friedman novelist Buchi Emecheta novelist Bryce Courtenay novelist All Authors