Kalila and Dimna, Vol 2 — Fables of Conflict and Intrigue Quotes

“Enough to think that Truth can be: come sit we where the roses glow, Indeed he knows not how to know who knows not also how to unknow. Sir Richard Burton, The Kasidah”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“The map is not the territory. You have to experience the journey, not predetermine it with your frankly useless assumptions about what it might or might not entail.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“The world is a nectar-filled cup And we but gobbling flies. Some hang on the lip and modestly sup While others gorge up to their eyes.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“Your Majesty, the formula for all human unhappiness is simple yet almost universally ignored: ‘Expectation, nondelivery!”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“He didn’t know exactly how, but he sensed he had to be relaxed; focused but indifferent to the objective.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“If I serve you for desire of heaven, deny me heaven. If I serve you from fear of hell, thrust me into hell. Rabia”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“Like many great leaders, he loved the sweet theory of power and was less enamoured of the grisly details of its execution, though he never neglected them.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“Life at court is no plush of pillows, but a writhing skein of snakes, each slithering about (forgive the metaphor) to capture reward and advancement. In short, my delightful regiment of helpers – courtiers, advisers, counselors, boon companions, call them what you will – need a boost of attention from me at some point in their career, either in hard cash or public honour equivalent – medals, robes, land, gifts, scrolls, titles and the like.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“Lived in virtue, loved his brothers, Never drank the blood of others.”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue

“Justice and fairness, not religion or atheism, are required for the protection of the State. Jami”
― Ramsay Wood, Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Conflict and Intrigue