Civilization after civilization, it is the same. The world falls to tyranny with a whisper. The frightened are ever keen to bow to a perceived necessity, in the belief that necessity forces conformity, and conformity a certain stability. In a world shaped into conformity, dissidents stand out, are easily branded and dealt with. There is no multitude of perspectives, no dialogue. The victim assumes the face of the tyrant, self-righteous and intransigent, and wars breed like vermin. And people die.
Steven EriksonI warn you all, hatred is finding fertile soil within me. And in your compassion, in your every good intention, you nurture it.
Steven EriksonThe idea that an author can extricate her or his own ongoing life experience from the tale being written is a conceit of very little worth.
Steven EriksonGods, I wish the world was full of passive women.He thougt for a moment longer, then scowled. On second thoughts, what a nightmare that'd be. It's the job of a man to fan the spark into flames, not quench it.
Steven EriksonWhen you've burned the bridges behind you, don't go starting a fire on the one in front of you.
Steven EriksonAll they get around here is stories. Stories don't make you bleed. Stories don't make you go hungry, don't give you sore feet. When you're young smelling of pigshit and convinced there ain't a weapon in all the damn world that's going to hurt you, all stories do is make you want to be part of them.
Steven Erikson