“Surely the greatest mercy granted us by Providence is our ignorance of the future. Imagine if we knew the outcome of our hopes and plans, or could see the manner in which we are doomed to die - how ruined our lives would be! Instead we live on dumbly from day to day as happily as animals. But all things must come to dust eventually. No human being, no system, no age is impervious to this law; everything beneath the stars will perish; the hardest rock will be worn away. Nothing endures but words.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“any rash fool can be a hero if he sets no value on his life, or hasn't the wit to appreciate danger. But to understand the risk, perhaps even to flinch at first, but then to summon the strength to face them down - that in my opinion is the most commendable form of valour”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“In the end, the only safe place to put a Trojan horse is outside your walls.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“Well, good luck to you both. Rome will be the winner whoever is the victor'. Cicero began to move away but then checked himself, and a slight frown crossed his face. He returned to Catulus. 'One more thing, if I may? Who proposed this widening of the franchise?' 'Caesar' Although Latin is a language rich in subtlety and metaphor, I cannot command the words, either in that tongue or even in Greek, to describe Cicero's expression at that moment. 'Dear gods' he said in a tone of utter shock. 'Is it possible he means to stand himself?' 'Of course not. That would be ridiculous. He's far too young. He's thirty-six. He's not yet even been elected praetor' 'Yes, but even so, in my opinion, you would be well advised to reconvene your college as quickly as possible and go back to the existing method of selection.' 'That is impossible' 'Why?' 'The bill to change the franchise was laid before the people this morning' 'By whom?' 'Labienus' 'Ah!' Cicero clapped his hand to his forehead.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“rising up starkly over the snowy plain, and that the plebs were flocking out”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“Well, well—be careful of what questions you ask, for fear of what answers you may receive.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“the wise man never assumes anything, never regrets anything, is never wrong, never changes his mind.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“There are no lasting victories in politics, there is only the remorseless grinding forward of events.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“What are the only weapons I possess, Tiro?" he asked me, and then he answered his own question. "These." he said, gesturing at his books. "Words. Caesar and Pompey have their soldiers, Crassus his wealth, Clodius his bullies on the street. My only legions are my words. By language I rose, and by language I shall survive.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“But it is one of the tricks of the successful politician to be able to hold many things in mind at once and to switch between them as the need arises;”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“It seemed to me at the time – and still does now, even more so – an act of madness for a man to pursue power when he could be sitting in the sunshine and reading a book.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“...he possessed for attractive form of courage: bravery of a nervous man. After all, any rash fool can be a hero if he sets no value on his life or hasn't the wit to appreciate the danger. But to understand the risks, perhaps even to flinch at first, but then summon the strength to face them down--that is my opinion is the most commendable for of value...”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“The guests filed out, the women turning toward the tablinum, the men moving into the study. Cicero told me to close the door. Immediately the pleasure drained from his face. “What’s all this about,”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
“It seemed to me at the time - and still does now, only even more so - an act of madness for a man to pursue power when he could be sitting in the sunshine and reading a book.”
― Robert Harris, quote from Conspirata
Robert Harris
Born place: in Nottingham, England, , The United Kingdom
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“PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL Department of Social Studies SPECIAL NOTICE to all students Course 410 (elective senior seminar) Advanced Survival, instr. Dr. Matson, 1712-A MWF 1. There will be no class Friday the 14th. 2. Twenty-Four Hour Notice is hereby given of final examination in Solo Survival. Students will present themselves for physical check at 0900 Saturday in the dispensary of Templeton Gate and will start passing through the gate at 1000, using three-minute intervals by lot. 3. TEST CONDITIONS: a) ANY planet, ANY climate, ANY terrain; b) NO rules, ALL weapons, ANY equipment; c) TEAMING IS PERMITTED but teams will not be allowed to pass through the gate in company; d) TEST DURATION is not less than forty-eight hours, not more than ten days. 4. Dr. Matson will be available for advice and consultation until 1700 Friday. 5. Test may be postponed only on recommendation of examining physician, but any student may withdraw from the course without administrative penalty up until 1000 Saturday. 6. Good luck and long life to you all! (s) B. P. Matson, Sc.D. Approved: J. R. Roerich, for the Board”
― Robert A. Heinlein, quote from Tunnel in the Sky
“An interesting thing happened today,” she said, giving me just enough time to get the word “hi” out of my mouth. “I opened the front door and there was a man on my doorstep. A big man. A very big, very black man.”
“Rachel —”
“You said it would be discreet. His T–shirt had the words ‘Klan Killer’ written on the front.”
“I —”
“And do you know what he said?”
I waited.
“He handed me a note from Louis and told me he was lactose intolerant. That was it. Note. Lactose intolerant. Nothing else. He’s coming to the reading with me. It was all I could do to get him to change his T–shirt. The new one reads ‘Black Death.’ I’m going to tell people it’s a rap band. Do you think it’s a rap band?”
I figured it was probably his occupation, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I said the only thing I could think of to say.
“Maybe you’d better buy some soy milk.”
She hung up without saying good–bye.”
― John Connolly, quote from The White Road
“Greg had been nearly out the door, on his way next door to Shari’s birthday party, when the phone rang.
“Hi, Greg. Why aren’t you on your way to my party?” Shari had asked when he’d run to pick up the receiver.
“Because I’m on the phone with you,” Greg had replied dryly.”
― R.L. Stine, quote from Say Cheese and Die!
“Bright but not distinctive as an undergraduate, he had gone to Harvard Law School and finished in the same class as Justice Holmes. But the law bored him—as it had Ferdinand de Lesseps, as it had Roosevelt—so he had decided to be an engineer, “that I may lead a good and useful life.”
― David McCullough, quote from The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
“What’s about to happen?” I know the answer, but I’m playing with our fire. I want to hear it from his lips.
His eyes widen, but he smiles, figuring out my game. “I’m taking you to my house, and I’m putting you to bed.” His grin gets a little wider before he finishes, “With me in you.”
― Nicole Reed, quote from Ruining You
Storm
Ruthless People
Espedair Street
Illywhacker
Helen of Troy
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