Lian Quotes

What does the blessing of heaven mean? We know the kirin is just an animal, not a mythical creature.
It has become a symbol now ... That is the way human beings deal with the world. ~ Lian Hearn

Elder Lian has lectured us many times on proper behavior between boys and
girls, darkly warning of how "dangerous feelings" can arise. I'm not that worried
about any feelings arising, though. They're already here, no matter how I try to
suppress them. ~ Richelle Mead

I learned embroidery," Kaede said, "But you can't kill anyone with a needle."
"You can," Shizuka said offhandedly. "I'll show you one day. ~ Lian Hearn

The people of jewel," said Olga Ciavolga,"treat their children like delicate flowers. They think they will not survive without constant protection. But there are parts of the world where young boys and girls spend weeks at a time with no company except a herd of goats. They chase away wolves. They take care of themselves, and they take care of the herd. And so, when hard times come - as they always do in the end - those children are resourceful and brave. If they have to walk from one end of the county to the other, carrying their baby brother and sisters, they will do it. If they have to hide during the day and travel at night to avoid soldiers, they will do it. They do not give up easily."
The tunnel took a sharp right-hand turn and, for a moment, the old woman s voice was lost. Something dropped onto Goldie's arm, and she opened her mouth to yelp - and thought of those children carrying their baby brothers and sisters through the night - and closed her mouth and kept going.
She rounded the corner in time to hear Olga Ciavolga murmur,"Of course, I am not saying that it is a good thing to give children such heavy responsibility's. They must be allowed to have a childhood. But they must also be allowed to find their courage and their wisdom, and learn when to stand and when to run away. After all, if they are not permitted to climb the trees, how will they ever see the great and wonderful world that lies before them? ~ Lian Tanner

I really loved Kiyoyori-in the way you people love each other, and we, not so much. I had never felt that before. I should be able to pass away without regret, as easily as the leaf falls from the tree in autumn, but the idea of never seeing him again, in whatever form, fills me with sorrow. I cling to life for his sake. This is what love does to you Shikanoko. See how the false wolf grows more real every day, because it has become attached to you. It shivers at your approach and wags its tail at the sound of your voice. It has made you its master, it lives for your affection. But, as your saints teach and we have always known, attachment enslaves you. Only those free from it see the world as it really is and have power over themselves and all things. ~ Lian Hearn

I am not made for despair ~ Lian Hearn

I am forever your most devoted believer. ~ Mò Xiāng Tóngxiù

The painter had achieved what we would all like to do: capture time and make it stand still ~ Lian Hearn

But you can't hold wild things in one place. And they won't be tied down. That's why the rooms shift like they do. And if ever the museum or its keepers are under threat, they shift even more. This is their last stronghold and they won't stand quiet to see it destroyed. ~ Lian Tanner

when someone deliberately took a step to help you preserve face, it was meaningful. If you repaid them in kind, then you began to see each other as allies, friends, and family. Mianzi or lian - face - was intricately, inextricably intertwined with these nuanced social interconnections. ~ M.H. Boroson

Listen to me carefully, child. I do not wish to glorify theft. There are people in this world who think they are better than others, deserve more. People who would rob their grandmother of her last coin and laugh as they did it. I have no time for such people. To move quietly, to be quick of hand and eye, that is a gift. If you use it to hurt others, even in a small way, you betray yourself and everyone around you. ~ Lian Tanner

Like young fern shoots
my child's fingers curled.
I did not expect,
in the fifth month, frost. ~ Lian Hearn

The bonds between husband and wife spring from deep laws of destiny and should not be broken lightly. ~ Lian Hearn

The less people think of you, the more they will reveal to you or in your presence. ~ Lian Hearn

It was as hot as ever, even the turn of the moon bringing no relief, and the cries of cicadas fell like showers around me. ~ Lian Hearn

You should never despise people because they haven't had your opportunities. ~ Lian Hearn

Don't try to push [fear] away,' he said. 'If you fight it, you make it stronger. You gotta great it politely, like an unwanted cousin. You can't make it leave you alone, but you can do what you have to do, in spite of it. ~ Lian Tanner

There is no Hell, other than that which men make on earth. ~ Lian Hearn

I believe the test of government is the contentment of the people. ~ Lian Hearn

If he hadn't been my father I would have loved the spectacle he created-one performance following quickly upon another-like a versatile old vaudevil-lian with his audience (wife and children) in the palm of his hand. ~ Maureen Howard

It's like a spell. It's so strong I can't fight it. Is love always like this? ~ Lian Hearn

They reminded me of the people of my village, their indomitable spirit in the face of disaster, their unshakable belief that no matter what might befall them, life was basically good and the world benign. ~ Lian Hearn

Does that mean you're a thief too?'
'Yep.'
'What did you steal?'
For a moment, she thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he said, 'Myself. ~ Lian Tanner

The world is always outside. And it is in the world that we must live. ~ Lian Hearn

I am what I am and what I have always been, a poor soul on a journey. ~ Lian Hearn

Don't you know the man whose life you spare will always hate you? ~ Lian Hearn