Bernard Cornwell Quotes

86 Sourced Quotes

He was confused. He was in love with a woman he did not know, except he knew her loyalty was to the enemy. Yet Denmark did not feel like an enemy, though it was. And he was a Soldier still, and Soldiers, he reckoned, fought for those who could not fight for themselves, and that meant he should be fighting for Astrid's folk and not his own. But that was too great a wrench to contemplate.

Bernard Cornwell
"They're not going, sir. Not going South."
"And who made that decision, Sergeant?"
"We all did, sir."
"Since when, Sergeant, has this army been a... a democracy?"
"A what, sir?"
"Since when did Sergeants outrank Lieutenants?"

Bernard Cornwell
"The door is locked, Captain."
"Then I'll break it down."
"It is a shrine."
"Then I'll say a prayer of forgiveness after I've knocked it down."

Bernard Cornwell
They were thieves and murderers and fools and rapists and drunkards. Not one had joined for love of country, and certainly not for love of their King [...] They were paid pitifully, fined for every item they lost, and the few pennies they managed to keep they usually gambled away. They were feckless rogues, as violent as hounds and as coarse as swine, but they had two things.
They had pride.
And they had the precious ability to fire platoon volleys. They could fire those half company volleys faster than any other army in the world. Stand in front of these recoats and the balls came thick as hail. It was death to be in their way and seven French battlions were now in death's forecourt and the South Essex was tearing them to ribbons.

Bernard Cornwell
Here, in this filthy stench of powder smoke, he felt at home. Other men learned how to plough fields or to shape wood, but Sharpe had learned how to use a musket or rifle, sword or bayonet, and how to turn an enemy's flank or assault a fortress.

Bernard Cornwell
You can keep your sword, for you fought proper. Like a proper soldier. Take your blade to paradise, and tell them you were killed by another proper soldier.

Bernard Cornwell
There's no chance of cheering him up, sir. He likes being miserable, so he does, and the bastard will get over it.

Bernard Cornwell
If he had learned one thing as a Soldier it was that any decision, even a bad one, was better than none.

Bernard Cornwell
Any officer given the money to buy promotion and lucky enough to possess relations who could put him in the way of advancement was bound to rise, but even the less fortunate men who resented Wellesley's privileges were forced to admit that the young Colonel had a natural and chilling authority, and maybe, some thought, even a talent for soldiering. He was certainly dedicated enough to his chosen trade if that was any sign of talent.

Bernard Cornwell
"The rules of chivalry, my lord, ensure my protection."
"Chivalry? Chivalry? I have heard it mentioned in songs, madame, but this is war. Our task is to punish the followers of Charles of Blois for rebelling against their lawful lord. Punishment and chivalry do not mix."

Bernard Cornwell
You're a light company, and that means you can go where other Soldier's can't. It makes you an elite. You know what that means? It means you're the best men in the bloody army, and right now the army needs its best men. It needs you.

Bernard Cornwell
"It is not wise, I think, to mix private revenge with war."
"Of course it's not wise, but it's bloody enjoyable. Enjoying yourself, Sergeant?"
"Never been happier, sir."

Bernard Cornwell
I remember one other battle, gentlemen, which almost matched our recent victory in carnage. After Assaye I had to thank a young Sergeant; today we salute the same man, a Captain. Gentlemen, I give you Sharpe's Eagle.

Bernard Cornwell
"So I do my duty, and land in the shit."
"You have at last seized the essence of soldiering."

Bernard Cornwell
"Our guide, a fisherman. A good fellow."
"He doesn't hate us?"
"Hate us?"
"I keep being told how the Spanish hate us, sir."
"He hates the French, like I do, Sharpe. If there is one constancy in this vale of tears, it is always hate the damned French, always."

Bernard Cornwell
The Light Company were not worried by the French. If Richard Sharpe wanted to lead them to Paris they would go, blindly confident that he would see them through

Bernard Cornwell
They haven't made an armor strong enough to resist an English arrow.

Bernard Cornwell
We have to level the ground, Sir, because God didn't think of gunners when he made the world. He made too many lumps and not enough smooth spots. But we're very good at improving His handiwork, sir.

Bernard Cornwell
I do understand that you can look into someone's eyes, I heard myself saying, and suddenly know that life will be impossible without them. Know that their voice can make your heart miss a beat and that their company is all your happiness can ever desire and that their absence will leave your soul alone, bereft and lost.

Bernard Cornwell
He's actually a rather good ruler. Better, I suspect, than most of our Christian monarchs. He's certainly been good for Mysore. He's fetched it a deal of wealth, given it more justice than most countries enjoy in India and he's been tolerant to most religions, though I fear he did persecute some unfortunate Christians.

Bernard Cornwell
He watched his men work, proud of them. They were disciplined, protecting one another, their sword drill immaculate and thorough, and Lossow knew why the lord Wellington preferred German cavalry. Not as flashy as the English, not as good for a parade, but for killing Frenchmen-they were as good as British infantry at that. [..] This army, Wellington's army, could be as perfect an instrument of war as any in history. With men like these horsemen and with that infantry? It was beautiful!

Bernard Cornwell
Your friend Will is a good man, too, but I fear he's no longer an archer."
"It would have been better, I sometimes think-"
"If he had died? Wish death on no man, Thomas, it comes soon enough without a wish."

Bernard Cornwell
You know what the trick of a long life is, Sharpe? Stay out of range.

Bernard Cornwell
Only a fool wants war, but once a war starts then it cannot be fought half-heartedly. It cannot even be fought with regret, but must be waged with a savage joy in defeating the enemy, and it is that savage joy that inspires our bards to write their greatest songs about love and war.

Bernard Cornwell
To say anything was useless, to say nothing was cowardly. "I think it a bad idea, Sir."

Bernard Cornwell
"What do you think?"
"Sir?"
"Frightening? Did you ever learn mathematics?"
"Yes, sir."
"So add up how many Frenchmen can actually use their muskets."

Bernard Cornwell