|
222ed82
|
We only know colors by relationships. Your father likely pointed to hundreds of objects whose only common feature was the color, and eventually you understood that the commonality of color equaled the word he used. A lot of things are that way, abstract ideas that have no object to define them. Right and wrong, for example. Problems tend to occur when people are eager to fill their cups and accept ideas by those who might be, metaphorically..
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
34cab41
|
I think running from responsibility breeds self-loathing and despair. I think people can, and do, rise to the occasion, and even a single person can make an incredible difference. What they need are leaders who believe in them, a belief that gives birth to hope. With hope, people can do remarkable things, amazing things. Between hope and despair, I'll take hope every time.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
6e8bbdd
|
Instead of passion, you have regret. In place of effort, you are mired in memory. You sink in nothingness and your heart drowns in despair. At times--usually at night--it's a physical pain, both sharp and dull. The anguish is unbearable." Royce reached out and grabbed Myron by the wrist. He wanted him to stop--needed him to stop. "You feel you have no choices. Your love for those who have gone makes you hold tight to their memory and the pa..
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
52217ff
|
The one you posed to the Crescent Forest." Brin sat up straighter, closed her eyes, and recited, "Four brothers visit this wood. The first is greeted with great joy; the second is beloved; the third always brings sad tidings; and the last is feared. They visit each year, but never together. What are their names?"
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
c1740eb
|
What's the advantage of fear or the benefit of regret or the bonus of granting misery a foothold even if death is embracing you? My old abbot used to say, "Life is only precious if you wish it to be." I look at it like the last bite of a wonderful meal. Do you enjoy it, or does the knowledge that there is no more to follow make it so bitter that you would ruin the experience?"
|
|
life
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
d2cb31d
|
If given a choice between a potentially great hardship and doing nothing, people gravitated toward what was most familiar and comfortable. That was why leadership was needed. To do what was necessary rather than what was easy.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
16fbe3b
|
There is no good or evil. Evil is only what we call those who oppose us." Royce took out his dagger and drove it into the table, where it stood upright. "Look at the blade. Is it bright or dark?" Hadrian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. The brilliant surface of Alverstone was dazzling as it reflected the candlelight. "Bright." Royce nodded. "Now move your head over here and look from my perspective." Hadrian leaned over, putting his head on ..
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
7cbc4e8
|
There's doing what's right, and there's doing what's safe. Most of the time you do what's safe because doing different will get you dead for no good reason, but there are times when doing what's safe will kill you too. Only it'll be a different kind of death. The dying will be slow, the sort that eats from the inside until breathing becomes a curse. Understand?
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
c246629
|
Time had sneaked in and stolen her recklessness.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
fd571a8
|
Tesh continued to wade forward through hip-deep water and neck-high fear.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
e12a003
|
I want to know how long we have before he rises. If I cut off his head, will he stay down longer?" The servant rolled his eyes. "He's not getting up! You killed him." "My Tetlin ass! That's a god. Gods don't die. They're immortal." "Really not so much,"..."
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
eb9844c
|
We humans have one advantage: We're more experienced at loss.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
e34bd7d
|
Plotting was the antithesis of doing. The man who sits and schemes continues to sit while others achieve.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
895f279
|
The Song of Man," one of Reuben's favorite poems, mentioned age, disease, and hunger as the Three Cruelties of Humanity. Fat Horace was clearly hunger. Pasty-faced, pockmarked Willard was disease, and age was given to Dills, who at seventeen was the oldest."
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
1ea9ea7
|
If you don't abandon hope on pleasant days, why do so on those that begin poorly?
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
398173b
|
We're not in trouble," Hadrian said. "The truth is, we've done nothing wrong." Royce closed his eyes and shook his head. "By Mar, the way you think. It's . . . it's . . . I honestly don't know if there's a word for it. You realize the truth is rarely important, right?"
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
4084793
|
The right word, said at the right moment, can work magic, he was fond of saying. You merely need to understand power, where it comes from, and the direction it flows.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
e2daa70
|
If gravity failed, the speed of light was broken, and death and taxes disappeared there would still be Peggy, telling him to be home on time because it was Tuesday and they were having salmon for dinner.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
7a10884
|
You're unique--truly unique. You have hair--and it's two colors. Your skin sags, and has all those great creases, like a beloved knapsack that has been taken everywhere and shows evidence of every mile. No one else has that.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
289890f
|
Fear made all the difference between rational and insane and could even masquerade one for the other. Once a herd starts stampeding, only a fool stands in the way.
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
0268e44
|
He could last longer without her than any of the others, but if too much time past, he felt the effects. Sick wasn't the right word; empty was closer, but even it didn't fit. Thin. He nodded to himself at the thought. That was it. He felt translucent, as if less of him existed when she wasn't there. I just never noticed how little of me existed before; I was a shadow without a person. He didn't know when it had happened or how he'd let it h..
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
1a7961d
|
to learn...to teach yourself...that's part of what it takes to be an Artist. It's the most important part. Some never learn that. They can only repeat what they've been taught, but that's not true art. Art is creating,
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |