{"author":"Michael J. Sullivan","author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan","total_quotes":47,"quotes":[{"text":"I just never noticed how little of me existed before. I was a shadow without a person.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["couples","loneliness","love"],"id":1084,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"We may indeed die here, that's true. But we will all die anyway-is there any denying that? When you think of all the possible ways you might go, this is as fine a place as any, isn't it? I mean, to end one's life surrounded by friends, in a comfortable, dry room with plenty to read... That doesn't sound too awful, does it?'What is 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?' The monk looked around, but no one answered him. 'If Maribor wishes for me to die, who am I to argue? After all, it is he who gave me life to begin with. Until he decides I am done, each day is a gift granted to me, and it would be wasted if spent poorly. Besides, for me, I've learned that the last bite is often the sweetest.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["inspirational","life-lessons"],"id":1466,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"If given a choice between a potentially great hardship and doing nothing, people gravitate toward what was most familiar and comfortable. That was why leadership was needed. To do what was necessary rather than what was easy.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["leadership","taking-action"],"id":20247,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"I swear, the reason for full moons is so the gods can more clearly see the mischief they create.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["full-moon","gods","mischief","moon"],"id":20793,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"I know nothing about war. But let me tell you what I believe. 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.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["honour","hope","leadership"],"id":23714,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"That living has no value - it's what you do with life that gives it worth.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["advice","reality"],"id":43311,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"You can go back to blacksmithing in Hintindar and live a quiet happy life. Do me a favor and marry some pretty farm girl and train your son to beat the crap out of imperial knights.'Sure,' Hadrian told him. 'And with any luck he'll make friends with a cynical burglar who'll do nothing but torment him.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["funny","hadrian","humor","royce"],"id":50277,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"Take my advice: live your life to the fullest. Breathe the air, taste the wine, kiss the girls, and always remember that the tales of another are never as wondrous as your own.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["advice"],"id":60463,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"Sometimes the price of dreams is achieving them.","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["dreams","hopes"],"id":65450,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"},{"text":"And if you can't trust an ancient talking tree, what was the point of having one?","author":"Michael J. Sullivan","tags":["humour"],"id":96683,"author_id":"Michael+J.+Sullivan"}],"pagination":{"page":1,"page_size":10,"total":47,"pages":5,"next":"?page=2\u0026page_size=10"}}