One might have supposed that the true act of love was to lie together and talk. — Mary Renault Acts of love Copy Share Image
The rightness of a thing isn't determined by the amount of courage it takes. — Mary Renault Courage Copy Share Image
It is something, I thought, when a king can put a courtesan to the blush. — Mary Renault Blush Copy Share Image
But it is not for the perfect vase or the polished gem to choose their owners. — Mary Renault Gems Copy Share Image
In all men is evil sleeping; the good man is he who will not awaken it, in himself or in other men. — Mary Renault Ethics Copy Share Image
It is better to learn war early from friends, than late from enemies — Mary Renault Enemy Copy Share Image
Clouds of black birds rose up wailing and screaming, like the thoughts of my heart. — Mary Renault Bird Copy Share Image
There is nothing like despair to make one throw oneself upon the gods. — Mary Renault Despair Copy Share Image
“We are weary of ourselves, and have dreamed a king. If now the gods have sent us one, let us not ask… — Mary Renault Dreamed Copy Share Image
“It is the mark of little men to like only what they know; one step beyond, and they feel the black cold… — Mary Renault Feel Black Copy Share Image
It gives me no joy to be praised at the expense of a better artist, by someone who does not know the… — Mary Renault Art Copy Share Image
“You cannot step twice into the same river, said Herakleitos. People in the past were not just like us; to pretend so… — Mary Renault River Copy Share Image
There is only one kind of shock worse than the totally unexpected: the expected for which one has refused to prepare. — Mary Renault Expected Copy Share Image
“Often I wished for someone to share my mind with; but their hearts were in little things, they would have thought me… — Mary Renault Dreamer Copy Share Image
I thought, There goes my lord, whom I was born to follow. I have found a King. And, I said to myself,… — Mary Renault Born Copy Share Image
“I wanted someone to follow, I wanted him to be brave. But he wants to be brave for me; and no one… — Mary Renault Brave Copy Share Image
“It is better to believe in men too rashly, and regret, than believe too meanly. Men could be more than they are,… — Mary Renault War Copy Share Image
“His mouth felt cold to mine ; he neither opened his eyes, nor spoke, nor moved. I said in my heart, "Too… — Mary Renault Alexias Copy Share Image
He sees himself in his lover as if in a mirror, not knowing whom he sees, And when they are together, he… — Mary Renault Answers Copy Share Image
“As i was beginning to understand, this kind of love was foreign ground to him. I may add that he never did,… — Mary Renault Historical-novel Copy Share Image
The perpetual stream of human nature is formed into ever-changing shallows, eddies, falls and pools by the land over which it passes.… — Mary Renault Accidents Copy Share Image
Power is the test. Some, once they have it, are content to buy the show of liking, and punish those who withhold… — Mary Renault Care Copy Share Image
“The school discussed friendship often. It is, they learned, one of the things man can least afford to lack; necessary to the… — Mary Renault Friend Copy Share Image
At the stair-foot Hephaistion was waiting. He happened to be there, as he happened to have a ball handy if Alexander wanted… — Mary Renault Awareness Copy Share Image
“I looked at him, tipping down the coarse wine like a man who expects to put up with worse. I felt I… — Mary Renault Five years Copy Share Image
“You mustn't get so upset about what you feel, Spud. No one's a hundred per cent consistent all the time. We might… — Mary Renault Feel Copy Share Image
“After some years of muddled thinking on the subject, he suddenly saw quite clearly what it was he had been running away… — Mary Renault Human experience Copy Share Image
“Presently, he looked at the people standing round and said, "You have leave to go." They bowed out. When the lads behind… — Mary Renault Tent Achilles Copy Share Image
“Go in peace," I said to him; "bear no ill-will to me, for Necessity yields to no man: and do not complain… — Mary Renault Alexias Copy Share Image
“Don't talk so, Lysis. I'm sure you kept your head much better than I did." He smiled, and quoted a certain phrase,… — Mary Renault Getting old Copy Share Image
“You wished for me, Athenians; I am here. Do not question me, do not hurt me; I am the wish sprung from… — Mary Renault Desire Copy Share Image
“Men are seldom helpless against their own evil wishes, and in their souls they know it. But common men love flattery not… — Mary Renault Coward Copy Share Image
