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Robert E. Howard Quotes
1906–1936 United States
Robert Ervin Howard (22 January 1906 – 11 June 1936) was an American writer of fantasy and historical adventure pulp stories, published primarily in Weird Tales magazine in the 1930s.
United States Novelists Poets Short story writers Also known as: Howard, Robert E., Robert Ervin Howard, A Witch Shall Be Born, Beyond the Black River, Jewels of Gwahlur, Queen of the Black Coast
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92 quotes
Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.
The Tower of the Elephant (1933)
Civilized nations never, never have selfish motives for butchering, raping and looting; only horrid barbarians have those.
Aye, you white dog, you are like all your race; but to a black man gold can never pay for blood.
The Scarlet Citadel (1933)
"I have never yet done a man to death by torture, but by God, sir, you tempt me!"
Red Shadows (1928)
They claimed that the old man had a knuckle-duster on his right, which is ridiculous and a dirty lie. He had it on his left.
The Pit of the Serpent (1929)
Break the skin of civilization and you find the ape, roaring and red-handed.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing.
I believe, like you, that civilization is a natural and inevitable consequence, whether good or evil I am not prepared to state.
A woman without mettle is like a scabbard without a sword.
"By Crom, I do not like this place, where dead men rise, and sleeping men vanish into the bellies of shadows!"
Xuthal of the Dusk (1933)
Don’t you think that as a people, Americans have less poetry, real poetry, in their souls than any other nations?
All fled – all done, so lift me on the pyre;
I don't believe I ever saw an Oklahoman who wouldn't fight at the drop of a hat — and frequently drop the hat himself.
It may sound fantastic to link the term "realism" with Conan; but as a matter of fact - his supernatural adventures aside - he is the most realistic character I ever evolved.
I'll say one thing about an oil boom; it will teach a kid that Life's a pretty rotten thing as quick as anything I can think of.
Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph.
Beyond the Black River (1935)
I am unable to rouse much interest in any highly civilized race, country or epoch, including this one.
Conan's scimitar licked out like the tongue of a cobra, and a Zamorian shrieked and fell, clutching his belly.
If I was wealthy I'd never do anything but poke around in ruined cities all over the world - and probably get snake-bit.
Youngsters of this generation seem not quite so hazardous except in the way of mechanical speed, bad liquor and venereal diseases.
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