Top 90 Timothy Zahn Quotes (2024 Update)
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51. “Leadership and obedience are the two legs on which a warrior’s life is balanced. Without both, victory cannot be achieved. Leadership depends on information and comprehension. Not so obedience. Sometimes a commander may choose to share details of his plan. Often he may not. In either case, obedience must be instant and complete. Such automatic response relies on trust between commander and those commanded. And that trust can only be obtained through leadership.”

— Timothy Zahn

52. “One whose path has taken a new turn is often initially disoriented.”

— Timothy Zahn

53. “I did not refer to the legends themselves,” Thrawn said, turning his glowing eyes on her. “But what is remembered says a great deal about those doing the remembering.”

— Timothy Zahn

54. “Leave it to the Alderaanians to slap a cheery end on a nice little grisly children’s morality tale.”

— Timothy Zahn

55. “But there’s a school of thought that says if you’re going to go down in flames anyway, you might as well be the one lighting the matches.”

— Timothy Zahn

56. “Yes, but in spite of such a shady origin, it’s really quite good,” Luke told him. “It’s called hot chocolate.”

— Timothy Zahn

57. “Chiss eyes were a bit better than those of humans, their visible spectrum edging a bit into the infrared. Apparently, their ears were better, too.”

— Timothy Zahn

58. “Alliances are useful in some situations. In others, they are absolutely vital. But.”

— Timothy Zahn

59. “And when a mind is too deficient in understanding, the resulting gap is often filled with resentment. –.”

— Timothy Zahn

60. “Sometimes a commander’s decisions must be made without regard for how they will be perceived,” Thrawn said. “What matters is that the commander does what is necessary for victory.”

— Timothy Zahn

61. “Governments and entire planets are important, Threepio. But when you sift everything down, they’re all just made of people.”

— Timothy Zahn

62. “The choices of one shape the futures of all.”

— Timothy Zahn

63. “The fear of the violent and the lawless is no less a tyranny than the edicts that come from the Emperor’s throne.”

— Timothy Zahn

64. “I know something about a lot of things,” she countered evenly. “That’s why you’re grooming me to be your lieutenant, remember?” – Mara Jade.”

— Timothy Zahn

65. “But ultimate safety does not exist. Those who trust in such will find that hope dashed upon the very rock behind which they seek to hide. –.”

— Timothy Zahn

66. “All who hold positions of power fear or hate someone. Or something.” Arihnda.”

— Timothy Zahn

67. “Besides, it is often wise to conceal one’s full capabilities from potential enemies.”

— Timothy Zahn

68. “Jedi Skywalker; remember it well. For if you allow your justice to be forgotten, you will be forced to repeat the same lessons again and again.” He held Luke’s gaze.”

— Timothy Zahn

69. “Refusing to be intimidated, after all, didn’t mean deliberately asking for trouble.”

— Timothy Zahn

70. “And those who stand in our way,” he added softly, “will not watch at all.”

— Timothy Zahn

71. “Fear and anger, Yoda had often warned him, were slaves to the dark side. Vaguely, Luke wondered which side curiosity served.”

— Timothy Zahn

72. “Then I am alone, he told himself. I am the last of the Jedi.”

— Timothy Zahn

73. “The grand admiral was smart and subtle, but never used his brilliance to show up or humiliate anyone. He demanded results, but never perfection, and had amazing stores of patience for those who were truly working to their fullest ability. He cared about his people, to the point of standing up for them even against the disapproval of powerful men like Lord Vader.”

— Timothy Zahn

74. “The side effects of combat can be unpredictable.”

— Timothy Zahn

75. “One spoke to him in person, or one did not speak to him at all.”

— Timothy Zahn

76. “Are you ready? I’m three blocks past ready. Pardon? Skip it.”

— Timothy Zahn

77. “I’ve found that what most people call luck is often little more than raw talent combined with the ability to make the most of opportunities.”

— Timothy Zahn

78. “With none of Vader’s backstory available at the time, and having just invented the Noghri species for this story, I came up with the idea that Vader might have designed his mask to look like a stylized version of a Noghri face, the better to facilitate his command of the death commando squads.”

— Timothy Zahn

79. “The one truism in all politics is that loud voices will be raised against any decision that is made.”

— Timothy Zahn

80. “But I would also warn against diverting too many of the Empire’s resources from a flexible navy of capital ships and starfighters to massive projects that can bring the Imperial presence to only one system at a time.”

— Timothy Zahn

81. “Which meant he was alone here. Even more alone than he’d realized. He took a deep breath. He wasn’t alone. The Force was with him.”

— Timothy Zahn

82. “A Jedi with ignited lightsaber, in Mara’s experience, was a sight that normally caused sentient beings to pause for a moment or two of sober reflection.”

— Timothy Zahn

83. “But as the attackers began falling from the Defenders’ concentrated fire Vader reached the firing line, the red blade of his lightsaber cutting through the enemy like a scythe through ripened grain as he walked through their midst.”

— Timothy Zahn

84. “Uncertainties are often useful in paralyzing an opponent’s plans and actions.”

— Timothy Zahn

85. “A friend In need is a friend indeed.”

— Timothy Zahn

86. “If you accept the position of governor, part of your job is to make sure all your people have a decent shot at making something good out of their lives.”

— Timothy Zahn

87. “People of authority love capes.”

— Timothy Zahn

88. “Eyes held high in pride are less able to see uneven ground ahead.”

— Timothy Zahn

89. “She was here, and it was now; and as the emperor’s instructors had so often drummed into her, the first item of business was to fit into her surroundings. And that meant not looking like an escapee from the medical ward.”

— Timothy Zahn

90. “His chief failing is a lack of curiosity.” “I’d have said no imagination.” “All beings possess imagination to varying degrees,” Thrawn said. “It can be encouraged and nurtured, or can sometimes shine out in moments of stress. But curiosity is a choice. Some wish to have it. Others don’t.”

— Timothy Zahn

91. “Hang on a minute,” Mara said, stepping away from the viewport and her tantalizingly brief vision of the future. As Luke had said, this was the present. The future would take care of itself. “I’ll come with you.”

— Timothy Zahn

92. “Did Thrawn even recognize the depth of loyalty he inspired in those who worked with him? Knowing Thrawn, probably not.”

— Timothy Zahn

93. “Because it’s easier?” Samakro growled. “This is the Expansionary Defense Fleet, Caregiver. We don’t do things just because they’re easier. We do things because they work.”

— Timothy Zahn

94. “The odds are never impossible,” Thrawn said calmly. “Merely unfavorable.”

— Timothy Zahn

95. “I mean, seriously, ma’am? We’ve got enough firepower here to carve our initials into Botajef’s bedrock.”

— Timothy Zahn

96. “You’re my brother, and my friend.” Thrass countered. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”

— Timothy Zahn

97. “My job is to protect the Ascendancy and the Chiss people, sir,” he said quietly. “Whatever it costs to achieve that goal, I will pay it.” A chill ran up Ba’kif’s back. Whatever it costs.”

— Timothy Zahn

98. “Surely you must understand that the means are no less important than the ends. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”

— Timothy Zahn

99. “Yes,” Vader said, frowning. “Are you suggesting I was wrong?”

— Timothy Zahn