Gripping Master Starnberg

...what was gripping Master Starnberg was the sheer wanton delight in killing, of adding my distinguished head to his trophy room, of proving his mastery and seeing the fear in the eyes of a beaten opponent at his mercy — I know all about it, you see, for I 've enjoyed it myself, but while it's a luxury the wary coward can afford, it's a weakness in a brave man who's sure of his own superiority, for he forgets what your cold-blooded assassin (and your coward) never forget — that killing is a business, not a pleasure, and you must keep your sense of fun well in check.


Flashman and the Tiger, p.149, Harper Collins, paperback edition 2000.


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Those fortunate few

…if life has taught me anything, it’s that the wealth and comfort of the fortunate few (who include our contented middle classes as well as the nobility) will always depend on the sweat and poverty of the unfortunate many, whether they’re toiling on plantations or licking labels in sweat shops at a penny a thousand. It’s the way of the world, and until Utopia comes, which it shows no sign of doing, thank God, I’ll just rub along with the few, minding my own business.



Flashman and the Angel of the Lord, p.22, Harper Collins, 1995.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, life.

Ideal partners

‘But that’s the point!’ He clapped his hands. ‘We are the ideal partners – neither of us trusts the other an inch, but we need each other. It’s the only guarantee in any business. You’re as big a rascal as I am; we would sell each other tomorrow, but there isn’t the need.
   Our financiers know all of this, of course, but I’ve often thought that our diplomats and politicians could have gone to school to Professor Starnberg.

Royal Flash, p.220, Pan edition, 8th printing, 1978.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes.