Shōgun, Volume 1 Quotes

“A man’s fate is a man’s fate and life is but an illusion.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Like dew I was born
Like dew I vanish
..and all that I have ever done
Is but a dream
Within a dream”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“In war and in peace, a good enemy can be more valuable than a good ally.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Love is a christian word. Love is a christian thought, a christian ideal. We have no word for 'love' as I understand you to mean it. Duty, loyalty, honor, respect, desire, those words and thoughts are what we have, all that we need.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Men don't apologize to ladies. Whatever they do is correct.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Without privacy, civilized life could not exist.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“When a man's pride is injured, death is a small price to repay the insult.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“For a woman, old age is never pretty.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“To think bad thoughts is really the easiest in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral you down into ever-increasing unhappiness.”
― James Clavell, Shogun Vol 1

“It's good for a man to get drunk once in a while. It releases all the evil spirits.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Sometimes full agreements, delicate agreements, should not be reduced into writing.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“You must be patient before you criticize.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Who knows what tomorrow will bring
Tomorrow is in the hands of God
Tomorrow will be a lovely day.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“A wise man prepares for treachery.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“It’s only Christian to be chivalrous to your enemies.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“It is not wise to notice another man's woman.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“You can find friends in manure, sometimes, my son.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Christianity is a religion. Not a political ideology.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Women don't have wisdom or knowledge in political things.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“The word of God surpasses earthly orders.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Secrets never leave you in peace, however much you wish or pray.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“You don't know for certain about God until you're dead.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Death and life are the same thing. This is the immutable law of nature.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1

“Patience is important for a man, vital for a leader. And a thirst for knowledge is a good quality too”
― James Clavell, Shogun: The Epic Novel of Japan: The Asian Saga, Book 1

“It is sometimes wise to be abstract.”
― James Clavell, Shōgun, Volume 1