The Birthgrave Quotes

“It had occurred to me I was not courageous, had never been brave, only arrogant or unthinking.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“I do not think I was afraid. There must be substance to breed fear, and I was hollow.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“Strange, that when we feel we understand all things, we understand nothing. Strange, that when we feel we understand nothing we have begun, at last, to understand.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“When will they fight?” I asked. “Tomorrow. Daybreak. It is man’s work.” I laughed. “I too have fought and killed, Kotta. It is the work of fools, not men.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“Goddess,” he said, “I would strongly advise you to continue this journey as you were—in your carriage.” “Vazkor,” I said, “I would strongly advise you not to advise me.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“It came to me, as I walked, how bitter the irony of the Book had been which had said: Herein the Truth. For it had a truth of its own in its bleached barrenness. What was truth except something which faded, lost its shape, grew unreadable and indistinguishable, at last a blank page for men to write on what they wished.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“Yes, he was very dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than Vazkor, for his weapon was honesty.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“When the world doesn't work, one of the best places to go is a book. Read it. Write it.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“Strange, that when we feel we understand all things, we understand nothing. Strange, that when we feel we understand nothing, we have begun, at last, to understand.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave

“I went into the tent, and lay staring into the shadows until sleep picked me up, and I flew with burning fire-feathered wings across the black cliffs of my doubt.

Below, a great stretch of water crinkled moonlight. I soared above it, and away to the south, saw a shoreline scattered with broken, bone-white cities. I wheeled toward them, the wing-thrust in my ears like a wind-drum, beating with my heart. Over the black bright rollers of the sea, where the froth burst silver on the faces of the dunes and the bastions of crested rocks like the shattered bodies of dragons, eagles, giants.”
― Tanith Lee, The Birthgrave