Wilbur Smith

Real men read my books.

— Wilbur Smith

I put my soul into every book I write.

— Wilbur Smith

“Fly for me, Bird of the Sun.”

— Wilbur Smith

“the helmet badge blazed like a sunrise upon”

— Wilbur Smith

Litigation only makes lawyers fat.

— Wilbur Smith

Literature throws us many great heroes. Real life invariably outdoes them.

— Wilbur Smith

I want to be seen as a good storyteller. I'm a manipulator as well.

— Wilbur Smith

To me, my characters are more real than most people I meet.

— Wilbur Smith

I love the sea as much as I love the veldt of Africa.

— Wilbur Smith

There's nothing so aphrodisiacal for a woman as money and success.

— Wilbur Smith

History is a river that never ends. Today is history, and I am here at the fountainhead.

— Wilbur Smith

I have never had too much trouble for creative ideas to spring up in my mind.

— Wilbur Smith

“The branch breaks that will not bend with the wind. You must learn to bend".”

— Wilbur Smith

Sometimes it is best for men not to attempt to interfere with destiny. Our prayers can be answered in ways which we…

— Wilbur Smith

When I vacate this sack of old bones I won't care what you do with it. Bury or burn it but don't…

— Wilbur Smith

My first novel was rejected by some of the most eminent publishers in the world. Starting again was a real wrench.

— Wilbur Smith

They say if you drink Zambezi water with your mother's milk, you are always a slave of Africa, and I am.

— Wilbur Smith

It's probably true that everyone has a book in them, although it may not be a very good one.

— Wilbur Smith

I'm a feminist. The women in my books in recent years have been powerful characters and I love to see a woman…

— Wilbur Smith

My mama loved books; I became fascinated by the wonderful stories that came out of these things she held in her hand…

— Wilbur Smith

I write my books in my head, and not in a specific study with a view. The view is from my inner…

— Wilbur Smith

I don't know how many lions and leopards I've shot. I've shot two elephants, which was enough - never again. It's a…

— Wilbur Smith

This first print run of the first edition of my first novel, 'When The Lion Feeds.' back in 1964, is so rare…

— Wilbur Smith

I live in Cape Town but my favourite holiday destination is Hermanus, a little seaside town about a 90-minute drive away, over…

— Wilbur Smith

The first novel I wrote was a monster - clocking in at 180,000 words - but it died a death, a death…

— Wilbur Smith

I think money is essential to happiness and right now I wouldn't want to be anyone other than Wilbur Smith - I've…

— Wilbur Smith

The really disturbing thing about Somalia is that in a country where there are few economic opportunities, pirates are perceived as glamorous…

— Wilbur Smith

I've eaten lion, leopard, crocodile, python. I don't recommend lion. It tastes exactly like when a tomcat comes into your house and…

— Wilbur Smith

Quite frankly, I think political correctness is the worst form of censorship. You're not allowed to speak your mind unless you're black,…

— Wilbur Smith

“mother was under virtual sentence of death, and Vicky flew to the bedside and knelt beside her. ‘Oh, Mama,’ she whispered, stricken…

— Wilbur Smith

“beautiful granddaughter at his side, guarding it like a pair of faithful watchdogs. Although they were all nearly at the end of…

— Wilbur Smith

It was this same Jesus, the Christ who, among many other remarkable things, said and repeated something which, proceeding from any other…

— Wilbur Smith

“uninvited help he might offer would be rejected. He was surprised and delighted when she placed a hand on his shoulder as…

— Wilbur Smith

A man follows the path laid out for him. He does his duty to God and his King. He does what he…

— Wilbur Smith

I read a lot of biographies and books with an African background.

— Wilbur Smith

beware of your most implacable enemy-yourself.

— Wilbur Smith

Failure makes success so much sweeter, and allows you to thumb your nose at the crowds.

— Wilbur Smith

I think one of the most poignant things is unrequited love and loneliness.

— Wilbur Smith

What I like about writing is the sense of godlike power it gives you.

— Wilbur Smith

I grew up in Rhodesia on my father's ranch and every year he used to take us on safari in some remote…

— Wilbur Smith