James Clavell

Guard yourself and your conscience no one else will and know that a bad decision at the right time can destroy you…

— James Clavell

You've commited murder just as much as Helene did. You killed a fly with a human head. She killed a human with…

— James Clavell

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…

— James Clavell

“Like dew I was born Like dew I vanish ..and all that I have ever done Is but a dream Within a…

— James Clavell

“all the people have a right to vote, and no single man ever controls the destiny of any nation, either by divine…

— James Clavell

Anger is something you should only vent in front of intimates, and friends and relations. Never be angry in front of strangers…

— James Clavell

Only by living at the edge of death can you understand the indescribable joy of life - Shogun.

— James Clavell

“The law may upset reason but reason may never upset the law, or our whole society will shred like an old tatami.…

— James Clavell

Changi became my university instead of my prison. Among the inmates there were experts in all walks of life - the high…

— James Clavell

“Only merchants have money to waste, and what are they but parasites who create nothing, grow nothing, make nothing but feed off…

— James Clavell

“The Scots knew that the burning of a cross was a summons to the clan, and to all the kinsmen of all…

— James Clavell

Christ, it's so good to be alive.

— James Clavell

“Tomorrow does not exist. There is only now .”

— James Clavell

“The point is we both know life and understand death—and both believe treatment in hell and everywhere else depends on money.”

— James Clavell

“Gods are like people. They believe anything if you tell them right way.”

— James Clavell

“The time be gone forever when the like of me’s to suck thy arse ’cause of a poxy title which like as…

— James Clavell

The scarcity of years does not necessitate lack of wisdom.

— James Clavell

“I'm saying that some men are saints. Some are happy being meek and humble and unambitious. Some men are born content to…

— James Clavell

“Listen, if you want peace you must learn to drink cha from an empty cup.”

— James Clavell

“Mariko,san, it was your karma to die gloriously and live forever. Anjin-san, my friend, it is your karma never to leave this…

— James Clavell

“The subject of the chapter is not what we might expect from the title.”

— James Clavell

“Damn what you like, Pieterzoon. But don’t damn liquor. It’s the stuff of life!”

— James Clavell

“Patience is important for a man, vital for a leader”

— James Clavell

The more I know, the more sure I am I know so little. The eternal paradox.

— James Clavell

“Fallibility in a leader is very trying. Isn’t it? They spill so much of other people’s blood.”

— James Clavell