24 Quotes & Sayings By James Clavell

James Clavell, author of the best-selling Asian Saga Shogun, was born in Sydney, Australia. He served as a captain in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, and later became a journalist and filmmaker. His films include The Tai-Pan, Noble House and The King and I. His books include Tai Pan., Gai-Jin, Wargrave, Tai-Pan, The Golden Assegai, The King's Doctor, King Rat, Tai-Pan, The Broker's Apprentice , The Fighting Cock, None But the Brave , Hong Kong Trilogy Volume One: Dragon Gate Inn, Dragon Gate Inn Volume Two: So Near Yet So Far , and The Last King of Scotland Read more

He is the recipient of innumerable awards for his films and books including an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay for the film A Bridge Too Far. He died on March 19th 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores.
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First the priests arrive. Then the conquistadores. James Clavell
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Why is she afraid?" he asked. "She's not Anjin-san. Just a little nervous. Please excuse her. She's never seen a foreigner close to before." "Tell her when the moon's full, barbarians sprout horns and fire comes out of our mouths like dragons. James Clavell
Wars are fought by teenagers, you realize that. They really...
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Wars are fought by teenagers, you realize that. They really ought to be fought by the politicians and old people who start these wars." (Interview with Don Swaim of CBS Radio-1986) James Clavell
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Without trade the world will become what it was once–a hell where only the strongest arm and the heaviest lash was law. The meek will never inherit the earth. Aye, but at least they can be protected by law to live out their lives as they wish. James Clavell
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The sky Scorched by the sun, Weeps Fecund tears. James Clavell
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Listen, if you want peace you must learn to drink cha from an empty cup. James Clavell
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What is pain to a man? A privilege! James Clavell
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...to think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world." If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral you down into the ever-increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is about. So, train your mind to dwell on sweet perfumes... James Clavell
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The sun dances in her and she has an immense joy of life James Clavell
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It's a saying they have, that a man has a false heart in his mouth for the world to see, another in his breast to show to his special friends and his family, and the real one, the true one, the secret one, which is never known to anyone except to himself alone, hidden only God knows where. James Clavell
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Gods are like people. They believe anything if you tell them right way. James Clavell
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Always remember, child... that to think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral you down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one onf the things that discipline - training - is about. James Clavell
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Patience is important for a man, vital for a leader James Clavell
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Only a real man has the right to stand at the pinnacle. James Clavell
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That's the first rule of survival in enemy waters: volunteer nothing. James Clavell
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When a man's pride is injured, death is a small price to repay the insult. James Clavell
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And Adam ruled, for he was the King. Until the day his will to be King deserted him. Then he died, food for a stronger. And the strongest was always the King, not by strength alone, but King by cunning and luck and strength together. Among the rats. James Clavell
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Only merchants have money to waste, and what are they but parasites who create nothing, grow nothing, make nothing but feed off another's labor? James Clavell
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Fallibility in a leader is very trying. Isn’t it? They spill so much of other people’s blood. James Clavell
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Perhaps that is why we love life so much, Anjin-san. You see, we have to. Death is part of our air and see and earth. James Clavell
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So easy now that Elder Sister has explained to her what all young girls in houses are taught–that with care and meticulous acting and tears of pretended pain and fear, and the final modest telltale stains cautiously placed, a girl can, if necessary, be virgin ten times for ten different men. James Clavell
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God gives us intelligence to uncover the wonders of nature. Without the gift, nothing is possible. James Clavell
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The search for the truth is the most important work in the whole world, and the most dangerous. James Clavell