Derek > Derek's Quotes

“Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!”
― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

“A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

[On British Labour politician Stafford Cripps.]”
― Winston S. Churchill, Wealth, War and Wisdom

“Never, never, never give in!”
― Winston S. Churchill

“Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”
― George S. Patton

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”
― Billy Sunday, "Billy" Sunday, the man and his message: with his own words which have won thousands for Christ

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”
― James Baldwin

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”
― John Lennon

“I realized fear one morning, with the blare of the fox hunter's sound. When they're all chasin' the poor bloody fox, 'tis safer to be dressed like the hound. ”
― Jack Higgins

“Reader's Bill of Rights

1. The right to not read

2. The right to skip pages

3. The right to not finish

4. The right to reread

5. The right to read anything

6. The right to escapism

7. The right to read anywhere

8. The right to browse

9. The right to read out loud

10. The right to not defend your tastes”
― Daniel Pennac

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Thaddeus Osbert, son of Kenelm Osbert, protector of the House of Kane.”
― Derek Hart, Secret of the Dragonýs Eye: Book One

“Dragons appear to those who believe, and only then if we wish.”
― Derek Hart, Secret of the Dragonýs Eye: Book One

“Be careful with that bloody great knife. Last time it was around, some oaf stuck me in the arse.”
― Derek Hart, Secret of the Dragonýs Eye: Book One

“Caladfwlch is ‘hard lightning’ in Welsh. The silly French dubbed the blade Excalibur.”
― Derek Hart, Secret of the Dragonýs Eye: Book One

“As a wee two hundred-year-old, I decided the south of England was much to my liking. A wee bit warmer and I prefer barbecuing my English sheep.”
― Derek Hart, Secret of the Dragonýs Eye: Book One

“Raylene bit her bottom lip, but she couldn’t break the connection, not that she wanted to. “Do you really have to keep addressing me as Miss Capri, even out here?”
He nodded, but didn’t hesitate to add, “The only place I can call you by your first name is in the privacy of a cabin.”
Raylene’s eyes widened considerably, as she considered what her heart and mind collided to reply. With a nervous swallow, her voice became little. “Then I think we should proceed to your cabin, First Officer John Drake.”
― Derek Hart, Danger Cruise

“No tugs, Number One?” the Captain inquired with a definite inflection to his voice. “You’re well aware that I shall receive a complaint upon our return?”
Drake shook his head. “I think not, sir. Even the Port Authority will have to admit that Princess Carla was merely showing her best. She has a fine backside and we owe it to her to show it off, now and again.”
― Derek Hart, Danger Cruise

“I have quite a story to tell you,” Parke said with a dramatic flair. “Sit back with that ‘coke’ and listen to the tale I’m about to spin. It’s a grand one, full of action, suspense, intrigue, violence, and even some juicy stuff. Just what a good story should have, don’t ya’ think?”
― Derek Hart, A Favor For FDR

“I was an engineer with Fairbanks Morse, Mr. President. I helped design some of the engines in their locomotives before the war, but then transferred my knowledge to the engines used in the Grant and Lee tanks, many of which were sent to the British.”
FDR was once again intrigued by what he heard. “The engine that pulls my train is a Fairbanks Morse locomotive.”
Brock beamed. “Yes it is, sir. Engine 978.”
― Derek Hart, A Favor For FDR

“There is just one problem, Captain,” the President said quietly. “I can’t order you to undertake such a covert project. It’s dangerous, could get you court-martialed and is probably illegal.”
“But you could ask me as a favor, Mr. President,” Brock replied.
FDR grinned again, his signature broad smile putting a wonderful sparkle in his eye. “Would you do this for me, as a personal favor, young man?”
Brock nodded emphatically. “Yes, sir. It would be an honor.”
― Derek Hart, A Favor For FDR

“Every day at 4:00 PM, Thaddeus Osbert serves tea. After all, he is a very proper dragon. Two lumps, milk not cream. He hums while playing mother. I so enjoy that time together. His guests are fascinating and we often discuss impossible things.”
― Derek Hart

“I've had the immense pleasure of knowing Thaddeus for over 4 years now. In that time I have experienced his incredible powers of observation, his wisdom, and his wonderful sense of humor. Yet he is quick to remind me that he is a dragon and therefore is prone to look at things differently. Oh, and his appetite for ...300+ Krispy Kreme donuts every morning can be a bit trying at times.”
― Derek Hart

“Did I go out of my way looking for trouble, you ask. Well, not exactly. Perhaps it was the inner voice that warned me that someday I would write it all down, so it better be entertaining.”
― Derek Hart

“Thaddeus Osbert sat in the middle of my office, scrunched over so he could fit. He looked me right in the eye and said, "So, I understand you believe in dragons." I nodded. He sat back and studied me for a minute or two, before uttering, "Yes, you'll do.”
― Derek Hart

“The universe said, “You’re almost there, just a few more steps.” I agreed and took those steps. However, my definition of the distance was measured in feet, while the universe meant miles.”
― Derek Hart

“Dedicated to black lace thong panties,
steaming hot showers, pimento-stuffed green olives and sharp cheddar cheese sliced with a credit card.”
― Derek Hart, Executive Firepower

“I loved her not for the way she danced with my angels, but for the way the sound of her name could silence my demons”
― Christopher Poindexter