The Black Song Quotes

“As they progressed through the strait and into the myriad channels beyond, the sky became a perennially overcast murk of drifting mist that never fully faded regardless of the fierceness of the sun. It clung to the jungle-covered flanks of the passing islands like a form of ethereal mould. The aura of greyness and damp engendered a lingering atmosphere of oppression not alleviated by the sounds emerging from the jungle.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“Time,’ he told me, ‘is both precious and worthless. It is eternal and fleeting. Like clay, you may make of it what you will, if your hands possess the skill to do so.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“Time, Vaelin thought, recalling his first meeting with the old man at the base of the temple, is both precious and worthless. Eternal and fleeting. You may make of it what you will.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“learned then that power does not derive from wealth; wealth and power derive from knowledge.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“Weapons are like thoughts,” the tall man replied. “Best kept hidden until needed.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“The true master must always be tested,” Vaelin replied. “Or he is a master of nothing.” “I see the philosophers of your lands are just as fucking pretentious as ours.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“Vaelin paused to turn and offer a parting bow. "And only a fool sticks his head in a noose when no one is holding the rope.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“The future is a . . . web. Many, many threads all joined together. Some shine bright, others are dim. They flicker like candles, even break and fade to nothing. But sometimes there are two that are just as bright as each other.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“and stirring a much-resented but persistent mingling of lust and longing.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song

“The rest of you get to sleep,” he added before slipping back into the shadows. “There’s likely to be killing soon. Best be fresh for it.”
― Anthony Ryan, The Black Song