Age of War Quotes

“Getting older, Mawyndulë, is like climbing a mountain. The higher you go, the greater the view. From time to time, you look back. At such heights, you can see paths behind you: the trails you took and the ones you foolishly disregarded; the blind alleys you fortunately missed, purely out of chance rather than by some greater wisdom on your part. You also spot others following you, people making the same stupid decisions. From your elevated position, you witness their bad choices, the ones they can’t see because they aren’t standing where you are. You could shout down, attempt to warn them, but they rarely listen. They are too blinded by the indisputable fact that the path you followed got you where you are, to the place they want to be.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Rivers age as they go downstream,” Suri told Raithe while they looked at the disagreeable gorge. “That’s what Tura once told me. They start out as tiny trickles, then in their youth and adolescence are like this, boundless energy throwing themselves heedless against unmovable rocks. Then they usually fall. Sometimes it’s a series of tumbles and sometimes one great plummet, but hitting bottom usually takes the fight out of most rivers. After that, they mellow and learn to meander around the rocks they encounter, taking life slower, easier. They spread out and grow quiet until, at last, they flow into the sea, becoming one with something greater.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“At first I thought it was a dragon, savage and fierce. I wish that had been true. Dragons only kill you; Gilarabrywns break your heart.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“from arrogance came apathy, from apathy came ignorance, from ignorance came hatred, and from hatred, well…nothing good ever came from hatred.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Wouldn't matter," Suri said. "Regardless where you're born, the world has a way of finding you and ruining everything.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Heroes are those who refuse to create or become victims. I failed to see it then, but I lived among many heroes. I think maybe everyone does." --THE BOOK OF BRIN”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Accept that you‘re going to get hurt, that you‘re going to die; embrace it, and you‘ll find the freedom to live.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“If there is one thing I have learned, it is that people will astound you. But the moment they do, or shortly after, you will realize you should not have been surprised. Ultimately, the problem was you, not them.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“I have a better idea. How about the two of you just leave. Go back to your fancy stone fortress, your one-eyed newts, cauldrons, and bat wings, and leave us in peace. Will you do that, please?"
"I've never known any newts with only one eye," Suri said. "And I know quite a few."
"Sure, sure. I'll bet you're on a first name basis with them, aren't you?"
Suri nodded. "Of course. Newts are ridiculously friendly.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“You sacrificed yourself to save us; good for you, but you only had to do it once.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“But I won’t get to die a hero like you. Women never do. We just get old, then we’re forgotten.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Rivers age as they go downstream,” Suri told Raithe while they looked at the disagreeable gorge. “That’s what Tura once told me. They start out as tiny trickles, then in their youth and adolescence are like this, boundless energy throwing themselves heedless against unmovable rocks. Then they usually fall. Sometimes it’s a series of tumbles and sometimes one great plummet, but hitting bottom usually takes the fight out of most rivers.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Arion paused at the well and nodded. "When people are happy, they can become deaf. I don't know why that is, but I've noticed it to be true. Misery helps us hear. We notice more when we're in pain. We see beauty more clearly, hear the sufferings of others more loudly. Since you pulled me back, every sunrise is so much brighter, every breeze a delight. I think people who survive tragedy aren't so much scarred as they are cleansed. The wax comes out of their ears and the clouds leave their eyes. The barriers between them and the world are reduced.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“So often I have heard that war is a noble and necessary thing, the answer to many problems. But I have found that when war becomes a reality, peace becomes the noble and necessary thing because there is no problem greater than war.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“I think we accept all too readily what we're told by those we love.
It isn't that our friends and family lie, but that they don't know the truth.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Passion was a wild, selfish thing that didn’t respect boundaries or common sense, but without it life felt pointless.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“She knew that from arrogance came apathy, from apathy came ignorance, from ignorance came hatred, and from hatred, well…nothing good ever came from hatred.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“seventh floor had only had one resident,”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“After that, they mellow and learn to meander around the rocks they encounter, taking life slower, easier. They spread out and grow quiet until, at last, they flow into the sea, becoming one with something greater.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“My love, I give you; Into Elan, I send you; Forgive me, I beg you; Be at peace, I ask you; May whatever good is in this universe watch over your journey.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“They came with hardly a warning,” Moya said. “Hundreds pouring over the chasm, both beautiful and terrible, wearing shining gold and shimmering blue. With them came whirlwinds and giants. Nothing can stop them. They’re coming still.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“This” —she indicated Gifford with both hands— “can hardly be mistaken for the face of happy coincidence. This” —she clapped him on the shoulder— “is what you get from a life of careful misjudgment and a bunch of drunk-off-their-asses gods in a bad mood.” Tressa spit, wiped her chin, and shook her head.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War

“Unlike all other living things, people were never content to just live in a place, to be part of it; they always wanted to change things, to make places conform. Maybe that was why the gods and spirits appeared so cruel—their way of saying, Quit it.”
― Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War