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.


Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, killing.

Bayed with delight

War was finally declared at the end of March, in spite of Aberdeen’s dithering, and the mob bayed with delight from Shetland to Land’s End.

Flashman at the Charge, p.41, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes,Land’s End, Shetland.

Delight in cruelty

Oh, the holy satisfaction of the godly – when it comes to delight in cruelty I’m just a child compared to them.

Flash For Freedom!, p.120, Pan edition, 8th printing, 1980.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes.

Reputation, good or bad

But you will have noticed, no doubt, that when a man has a reputation, good or bad, folk will always delight in adding to it…”

Flashman, p.250, Pan edition, 12th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes.