Hadrian Quotes

• You don’t win battles with hate. Anger and hate can make you brave, make you strong, but they also make you stupid. You end up tripping over your own two feet.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Strong, Hate, Stupid

  "Theft of Swords". Book by Michael J. Sullivan, November 3, 2011.

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• Daniel was in the greatest credit amongst the Jews, till the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian . And to reject his prophecies, is to reject the Christian religion. For this religion is founded upon his prophecy concerning the Messiah .

  Isaac Newton

  Christian, Credit, Reign

  Sir Isaac Newton (2016). “Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John”, p.17, Library of Alexandria

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• The memory of most men is an abandoned cemetery where lie, unsung and unhonored, the dead whom they have ceased to cherish. Any lasting grief is reproof to their neglect.

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Memories, Lying, Grief

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• Of all our games, love's play is the only one which threatens to unsettle the soul.

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Games, Play, Soul

  Marguerite Yourcenar (1954). “Memoirs of Hadrian”

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• Laws change more slowly than custom, and though dangerous when they fall behind the times are more dangerous still when they presume to anticipate custom.

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Fall, Law, Politics

  Marguerite Yourcenar (1957). “Hadrian's Memoirs”

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• Something I notice speaking to writers from south of Hadrians Wall is that the culture is different. At base, I think Scotland values its creative industries differently from England.

  Sara Sheridan

  Wall, Thinking, Scotland

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• The true birthplace is that wherein for the first time one looks intelligently upon oneself; my first homelands have been books, and to a lesser degree schools.

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Book, School, Degrees

  Marguerite Yourcenar (1954). “Memoirs of Hadrian”, New York, Farrar

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• nothing is slower than the true birth of a man

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Men, Birth

  Marguerite Yourcenar (1954). “Memoirs of Hadrian”, New York, Farrar

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• If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.

  Simon Heffer

  Wall, Writing, Scotland

  1999 Nor Shall My Sword: The Reinventing of England.

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• If the Scottish want to break away, I shall stand on Hadrian's Wall with a teary handkerchief, and say: 'Good riddance to the lot of you, and take your stupid bagpipes with you.'

  Jeremy Clarkson

  Wall, Stupid, Bagpipes

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• Little soul, gentle and drifting, guest and companion of my body, now you will dwell below in pallid places, stark and bare; there you will abandon your play of yore. But one moment still, let us gaze together on these familiar shores, on these objects which doubtless we shall not see again....Let us try, if we can, to enter into death with open eyes.

  Marguerite Yourcenar

  Eye, Play, Soul

  Marguerite Yourcenar (1957). “Hadrian's Memoirs”

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• Hadrian drew two swords from his sides in a single elegant motion. He flipped one around letting it spin against his palm once. “Need to get a new grip on this one. It’s starting to fray again.” He looked at Will. “Shall we get on with this? I believe you were about to rob us.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Believe, Two, Needs

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• And you? Did you find the doorknob?” Hadrian picked up a jug and downed several swallows, drinking so quickly some of the water dripped down his chin. He poured some in his palm and rinsed his face, running his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t even get close enough to see a door.” “Well, look on the bright side”—Hadrian smiled—“at least you weren’t captured and condemned to death this time.” “That’s the bright side?” “What can I say? I’m a glass-half-full kinda guy.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Running, Drinking, Glasses

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• There you are!” he shouted at them. “Father has half the castle turned out looking for you.” “Us?” Hadrian asked. “Yes.” Fanen nodded. “He wants to see the two thieves in his chambers right away.” “You didn’t steal the silver or anything, did you, Royce?” Hadrian asked. “I would bet it has more to do with your flirting with Lenare this afternoon and threatening Mauvin just to show off,” Royce retorted. “That was your fault,” Hadrian said, jabbing his finger at him.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Father, Flirting, Two

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• Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but this is at least a paying job.” “You should have told him the real reason we saved him from Trumbul— because we wouldn’t see the hundred tenents otherwise.” “That was your reason. Besides, how often do we get to do royal contracts? If word gets around, we’ll be able to command top salaries.” “If word gets around, we’ll be hanged.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Jobs, Real, Should Have

  Michael J Sullivan (2011). “Theft Of Swords: The Riyria Revelations”, p.138, Hachette UK

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• If this keeps up, we’re going to own Melengar,” Hadrian mentioned. “What’s this we stuff?” Royce asked. “You’re retired, remember?” “Oh? So you’ll be leading the Nationalist advance, will you?” “Sixty-forty?” Royce proposed.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Stuff, Remember, Retired

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• What’s going on?” Royce asked as throngs of people suddenly moved toward him from the field and the castle interior. “I mentioned that you saw the thing and now they want to know what it looks like,” Hadrian explained. “What did you think? They were coming to lynch you?” He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a glass-half-empty kinda guy.” “Half empty?” Hadrian chuckled. “Was there ever any drink in that glass?

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Thinking, Glasses, People

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• Hadrian shook his head and sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult? They’re probably not bad people—just poor. You know, taking what they need to buy a loaf of bread to feed their family. Can you begrudge them that? Winter is coming and times are hard.” He nodded his head in the direction of the thieves. “Right?” “I ain’t got no family,” flat-nose replied. “I spend most of my coin on drink.” “You’re not helping,” Hadrian said.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Winter, People, Thieves

  Michael J. Sullivan (2014). “Hollow World”, p.368, Riyria Enterprises

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• The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines.

  Edward Gibbon

  Two, Government, Years

  Edward Gibbon (2009). “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition”, p.48, Modern Library

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• You think he’s still alive?” Royce asked, nodding his head toward Alric. “Sure,” Hadrian replied without bothering to look. “He’s probably sleeping. Why do you ask?” “I was just pondering something. Do you think a person could smother in a wet potato bag?” Hadrian lifted his head and looked over at the motionless prince. “I really hadn’t thought about it until now.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Sleep, Thinking, Bags

  Michael J. Sullivan (2009). “The Crown Conspiracy”, p.67, Ridan Publishing

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• Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity. “You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,” Hadrian said, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Royce smiled at him. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Sweat, Defense, Wipe

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• Royce turned to Hadrian. “It’s supposed to make them look tough, but all it really does is make it easy to identify them as thieves for the rest of their lives. Painting a red hand on everyone is pretty stupid when you think about it.” “That tattoo is supposed to be a hand?” Hadrian asked. “I thought it was a little red chicken. But now that you mention it, a hand does make more sense.” Royce looked back at Will and tilted his head to one side. “Does kinda look like a chicken.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Tattoo, Stupid, Thinking

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• Royce nodded. “Invest in crossbows. Next time stay hidden and just put a couple bolts into each of your target’s chests. All this talking is just stupid.” “Royce!” Hadrian admonished. “What? You’re always saying I should be nicer to people. I’m trying to be helpful.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Couple, Stupid, Talking

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• You’re too visible, Albert,” Hadrian explained. “Can’t afford to have our favorite noble hauled to some dungeon where they cut off your eyelids or pull off your fingernails until you tell them what we’re up to.” “But if they torture me, and I don’t know the plan, how will I save myself?” “I’m sure they’ll believe you after the fourth nail or so,” Royce said with a wicked grin.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Believe, Cutting, Wicked

  Michael J. Sullivan (2009). “The Crown Conspiracy”, p.25, Ridan Publishing

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• So,” Royce said, “you want us to escape from this prison, kidnap the king, cross the countryside with him in tow while dodging soldiers who I assume might not accept our side of the story, and go to another secret prison so that he can visit an inmate?” Arista did not appear amused. “Either that, or you can be tortured to death in four hours.” “Sounds like a really good plan to me,” Hadrian declared.“Royce?” “I like any plan where I don’t die a horrible death.

  Michael J. Sullivan

  Kings, Soldier, Secret

  Michael J. Sullivan (2009). “The Crown Conspiracy”, p.58, Ridan Publishing

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