Man can be that which he wishes to be; form and substance, they are but shadows. The mind, the ego, the essence of the god-dream -- that is real, that is immortal. Robert E. Howard More Quotes by Robert E. Howard More Quotes From Robert E. Howard Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing. Robert E. Howard live-life men civilization When a nation forgets her skill in war, when her religion becomes a mockery, when the whole nation becomes a nation of money-grabbers, then the wild tribes, the barbarians drive in... Who will our invaders be? From whence will they come? Robert E. Howard barbarians skills war I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I see not beyond death. Let me live while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content. I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less than an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content. Robert E. Howard wine real blue The more I see of what you call civilization, the more highly I think of what you call savagery! Robert E. Howard savagery civilization thinking Over the souls of men spread the condor wings of colossal monsters and all manner of evil things prey upon the heart and soul and body of Man. Yet it may be in some far day the shadows shall fade and the Prince of Darkness be chained forever in his hell. And till then mankind can but stand up stoutly to the monsters in his own heart and without, and with the aid of God he may yet triumph. Robert E. Howard heart wings men But not all men seek rest and peace; some are born with the spirit of the storm in their blood. Robert E. Howard storm men blood Barbarianism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is the whim of circumstance. And barbarianism must ultimately triumph Robert E. Howard triumph natural civilization Break the skin of civilization and you find the ape, roaring and red-handed. Robert E. Howard roaring skins civilization For man's only weapon is courage that flinches not from the gates of Hell itself, and against such not even the legions of Hell can stand. Robert E. Howard hell weapons men What is death but a traversing of eternities and a crossing of cosmic oceans? Robert E. Howard ocean eternity death Any but the most brutish of men must be touched with a certain awe or wonder at the baring of a woman's naked soul. Robert E. Howard women naked soul I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content. Robert E. Howard illusion real life-is What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs—I was a man before I was a king. Robert E. Howard kings dog lying Man is still an ape in that he forgets what is not ever before his eyes. Robert E. Howard apes eye men I think the real reason so many youngsters are clamoring for freedom of some vague sort, is because of unrest and dissatisfaction with present conditions; I don't believe this machine age gives full satisfaction in a spiritual way, if the term may be allowed. Robert E. Howard real spiritual believe If I was wealthy I'd never do anything but poke around in ruined cities all over the world - and probably get snake-bit. Robert E. Howard snakes cities world There comes, even to kings, the time of great weariness. Then the gold of the throne is brass, the silk of the palace becomes drab. The gems in the diadem and upon the fingers of the women sparkle drearily like the ice of white seas; the speech of men is as the empty rattle of a jester's bell and the feel comes of things unreal; even the sun is copper in the sky and the breath of the green ocean is no longer fresh. Robert E. Howard ocean kings men Man is better without knowledge of things to come, for what is to be will be, and man can neither avert nor hasten. It is better to go in the dark when the road must pass a lion and there is no other road. Robert E. Howard future dark men I had neither expert aid nor advice. I studied no courses in writing; until a year or so ago, I never read a book by anybody advising writers how to write. Robert E. Howard writing book years Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet. Robert E. Howard black feet hands
