Steven Erikson

If we are to live,' Rake went on, 'we must take risks. Else our lives become deaths in all but name. There is no struggle too vast, no odds too overwhelming, for even should we fail – should we fall – we will know that we have lived.'

Greed is the knife in the sheath of ambition

Do what's right,' Dassem told us. Gods, even after all this time he still remembered the First Sword's words. 'That's a higher law than the command of any officer. Higher even than the Emperor's own words

He drew a breath, sometime earlier that day, filled with love.

And then released it, black with grief.

it's never too late for regrets

Civilizations made sure their heroes were dead before they honoured them

You can shed no tears, yet tears take you none the less.

There is no struggle too vast, no odds too overwhelming,
for even should we fail – should we fall
– we will know that we have lived.'

Anomander Rake
Son of Darkness

The world changes according to where you stand. So choose, my children, choose and choose again, where you will make your stand . . .'