Top 35 Brian McClellan Quotes (2025 Update)

1. “One man always makes a difference. Sometimes it’s a small one. Other times, he tips a war.”

— Brian McClellan

2. “Always ask why. It’s not enough to know the what of something.”

— Brian McClellan

3. “Don’t trust any man who surrounds himself with beautiful women. Least of all a priest.”

— Brian McClellan

4. “The world is changing. People do not exist to serve their governments or their kings. Governments exist to serve the people, so the people should have a say in those governments.”

— Brian McClellan

5. “After the adrenaline had worn off and medals had been awarded and the glory meted out, only the suffering remained after a battle.”

— Brian McClellan

6. “I would die for my country. But I would rather kill for it. Ready your troops! We march!”

— Brian McClellan

7. “Take all that hate and anger and ball it up and put it away. Don’t chew on it – that just makes you bitter. Put it aside and use it as a reminder of why you never want to be helpless again. Take your weakness and make it your strength.”

— Brian McClellan

8. “I only wish to ensure survival.” “Is survival good enough? Shouldn’t we want to leave more to the world than that?” “Sometimes survival is all we can handle.”

— Brian McClellan

9. “A king’s pride doesn’t fill the people’s bellies.”

— Brian McClellan

10. “Books are important. They link us to the past, to the future. Every written word gives us another hint about how to control the Else.”

— Brian McClellan

11. “I don’t believe you.” “Have I ever lied to you?” “On several occasions.” “About anything important?”

— Brian McClellan

12. “Food, in my experience, is one of the few things that can cement a good friendship between strangers.”

— Brian McClellan

13. “First rule of bathing,” Gavril said. “If you can’t smell yourself anymore, it’s time to wash.”

— Brian McClellan

14. “He had an honest face, though Adamat found that honest faces were almost always deceptive.”

— Brian McClellan

15. “I have the feeling you would much rather be on the front than in Adopest trying to win over the snakes in politics. At least here you’re allowed to shoot your enemies.”

— Brian McClellan

16. “Vlora drummed her fingers against her leg and locked eyes with Olem. She formed a ring with her hands, pointed at Michel’s neck. Olem shook his head emphatically. She mouthed the word please. Olem rolled his eyes.”

— Brian McClellan

17. “There are always two sides to everything he says and does, just as there are two sides to Brude himself.”

— Brian McClellan

18. “If they can kill,” Gavril said, “they can drink.”

— Brian McClellan

19. “Expecting defeat will surely bring it.”

— Brian McClellan

20. “My loyalties are not for sale,” Adamat said. “You’ll have to change your loyalties, then.”

— Brian McClellan

21. “Not knowing one’s weaknesses gets people killed.”

— Brian McClellan

22. “And there, among the ruined splendor of Skyline Palace, Adamat saw a god weep for the hero of Adro.”

— Brian McClellan

23. “Yes. I’d already realized that.” Adamat gritted his teeth. “You’re the type of man who gives face to evil.”

— Brian McClellan

24. “Tamas had heard that every genius was equal parts madness. He.”

— Brian McClellan

25. “There is nothing that will make a man more desperate and more capable of violence than endangering his family.”

— Brian McClellan

26. “So, technically, he never lied to us.” “What have I told you about using the word ‘technically’ to me?” Olem finished rolling a cigarette and squinted at the ceiling. “That you’d kick my teeth in?” “Right.”

— Brian McClellan

27. “But there were some wounds you could ask an old soldier about and others you had to wait for him to tell.”

— Brian McClellan

28. “You gorged them on the blood of the nobility,” Mihali said gently. “They drank, but were not filled. They ate of hatred and grew hungrier.” He.”

— Brian McClellan

29. “The problem with logic,” Prime said, “is that sometimes you are forced to believe your own hypothesis, even if you don’t want.”

— Brian McClellan

30. “He was a longtime street thug who had just enough ruthlessness to rise to legitimate businesses and not quite enough intelligence to leave his dark life behind him. Aptly suited as a banker.”

— Brian McClellan

31. “Let the Kez come,” Tamas roared. “Let them send their greatest generals after us. Let them stack the odds against us. Let them come upon us with all their fury, because these hounds at our heels will soon know we are lions!”

— Brian McClellan

32. “I love you,” she said. “I figured that, too.”

— Brian McClellan

33. “God’ is a funny word, it implies omnipotence and omniscience. Let me assure, I am neither.”

— Brian McClellan

34. “The lockpick gaped up at Adamat from his knees. “You’re making enough noise, you might as well have knocked on the front door,” Adamat said.”

— Brian McClellan

35. “I’ve met dozens of officers who think their immaculate mustache can move the world.”

— Brian McClellan

36. “She tapped the butt of her pistol. “Would it be terribly unprofessional of me to shoot her hat off?” “Yes,” Olem said without looking up from the letter.”

— Brian McClellan