Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, #1)

by Timothy Zahn

“Luck is certainly part of it,” he agreed. “On the other hand, I’ve found that what most people call luck is often little more than raw talent combined with the ability to make the most of opportunities.”

Mourning the loss of a friend and teacher was both fitting and honorable, but to dwell unnecessarily on that loss was to give the past too much power over the present.

Fear and anger, Yoda had often warned him, were the slaves of the dark side. Vaguely, Luke wondered which side curiosity served.

Anger, fear, aggression—the dark side of the Force are they.

“Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake, Ensign?” The entire bridge had gone deathly still. Colclazure swallowed again, his face starting to go pale. “No, sir.” “Anyone can make an error, Ensign. But that error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”

Giving in to fear would only rob him of the ability to think, and that was the last thing he could afford to lose at this point.

Reverend? Han looked up at the glowering thundercloud again, and this time he saw the black, crystal-embedded band nestled against the tufts of hair at the other’s throat. “Reverend, huh?” he said with a sinking feeling. There were extreme religious groups all over the galaxy, he’d found, whose main passion in life seemed to be the elimination of all forms of gambling. And all forms of gamblers.

Sentient beings, human and Wookiee alike, simply could not maintain a continual state of vigilance when there was no visible enemy to be vigilant toward.

“Then he lies,” Thrawn returned coldly. “All men want power. And the more they have, the more they want.”