Theophilus Monroe > Quotes

“The conventions of logic and ethics declare that the ends do not justify the means… Neither, though, do the means necessarily spoil the ends.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Most things in the world aren’t dangerous in their own right. It’s when people take those things, use them to further their own agenda, warp them to serve themselves rather than others, that turns something good, decent, or neutral into a devastating force. The entire world was a ticking time bomb. The digital world wasn’t all bad. It was neutral, really. But it also fueled polarization, discontent, and angst. It made things accessible that you used to have to find in dusty tomes, or had to research in libraries or at universities. You don’t need to travel the world to consult an expert any more. A bastardized version of almost any expertise was posted online for all the world to use and abuse. What should have united people, giving us access to information to understand other people, cultures, and worldviews, has instead become bent by the human pathology— the disease of narcissism— to do the opposite. We used the digital sphere to close our minds to anything that challenged our assumptions. People found it easier to congregate among the like- minded. It’s reached a point of absurdity. Rather than consider views that challenge one’s perspective of the world, people search out those who will ratify and confirm their biases. As such, rather than bringing people together, or debating their ideas in the public square, people on either extreme of any situation only grow more polarized, stretching the civilized world like a criminal on a medieval rack. All because everyone’s too damn blind to consider their own error, how they might be wrong, or to critically reconsider their own insecurities and fears. Understanding the other has never been more possible due to the accessibility of information. Anyone who genuinely wants to understand alternate lifestyles or views can do so quite easily— but no one wants to. Because when our idols fail, when our false- gods betray us, it leaves us grasping at straws. Even those like my father, who use religion to serve their own insecurities, and reforge their deity into an idol in their own image— worship at the altar of the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I. That’s always been the state of the world, in truth. Whatever we fear, love, or trust the most. That’s our god. And most people trust “number one” above all else, they prioritize themself over all others, and since they’ve become gods unto themselves, anyone who disagrees with them is no longer viewed as a dignified person with a right to their own opinions and choices. If their opinion contradicted and violated my divine me, then anyone who disagrees with me is by definition a heretic. And the world has only ever had one way of dealing with those they deem heretics. One thing I’ve learned more than anything else over the last century and a half of my existence is that being wrong isn’t a bad thing. We can’t grow at all if we can’t admit our error. We will never advance if we don’t grant ourselves permission to be wrong— if we aren’t thankful for being disproven, that we might evolve, adapt, and grow in our wisdom. That’s what’s crazy about the world. It’s spinning out of control, ready to tear itself apart. All it would take is a simple recognition that it’s okay to be wrong, that it’s a necessary part of life, and a realization that we can all learn something from anyone and everyone else. But we’ve all become zealots in the religion of self. We’re all staunch defenders of our personal dogma. The problem is that we all nod along to those insights— so long as they convict everyone else. While the god of “self” is weak, an idol no more trustworthy than gods of wood or stone, it doesn’t die easily. Who was I to think I could save the world ever? All I’d ever done was delay the inevitable. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t keep trying… I wouldn’t keep fighting. Because when we stop fighting for others we end up stuck in that damned religion of me. And I was never very religious. Why change now?”
― Theophilus Monroe, Bloody Fortune

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend… I don’t know who said that… but it’s bullshit. Just read your history books. The Soviets fought the Nazis, too… then came the Cold War.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“A worthy tale is one that unsettles its hearers, spurns them to act in such a way to change their lives for the better. Flourished tales might earn a bard quick fame, but they only bolstered the vanity of a people. Sétanta hoped to tell tales that would inspire people to strive toward greatness. Not to delude crass people into believing that they had achieved greatness already.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“The gnostics made their writings difficult to understand on purpose. Their obsession was with secret knowledge. Get that knowledge and they believed you could ascend to divinity through Barbelo and Kalyptos. None of them ever made it. You can't become divine through knowledge. Knowledge might elevate the ego, but it doesn't do much for the spirit.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“One thing I knew from experience was that people mourned differently. No two people go through the loss of someone they cared about in precisely the same way. If”
― Theophilus Monroe, Junkyard Dogma

“As Cú Chulainn understood it, the tale was meant to cause one to consider the costs of war and measure them against what might be attained in a victory. If the victory is not worth the cost, or if the cost should spoil the victory, then the war should not be fought.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“It’s called taking offense. No one offends me. It’s always up to me if I take it or leave it.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Daywalker Chronicles Complete Series Boxed Set

“What about disease? What about cancer?" "As an immortal, there is a beauty to mortality as well. It's a gift that you used to know but no longer do. Why do you suppose Niccolo wanted to die after walking the earth for thousands of years? Most people don't want to die, that's true. But without mortality, things lose their urgency and meaning. There is beauty in that, in cherishing every moment precisely because you never know if it might be your last." [...] "Still, I know what it's like to have another side to yourself. To live fearing that it might one day take over and turn you into something you don't want to be. While vampires can live forever, we can be killed as well. The wraiths prove as much. Even if I were to live forever, though, I still cherish every moment because things change. Moments are fleeting. The present is always perishing. Why live worried about the past or the future when all anyone ever has is now?”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“someone she insisted could”
― Theophilus Monroe, Voodoo and Vampires

“If you put your hopes on politicians, if you think that the governments of this world are the answer and will save us, you’re grossly mistaken. What the world needs are individuals— people willing to share the Awen, people willing to stand up for our home.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“There is something magical in humans— it’s a power that lies in their thoughts. A simple thought could transform the fiercest warrior into but a mouse at the sight of something so innocuous as a shadow . All it required was a little fear. But a well-placed thought did the opposite, too. Even a common housewife could become a lionhearted hero if she entertained the proper thoughts if she developed a little courage.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“am not a man, Diarmid.”“What do you mean? You look like a man, that’s for sure.”“I’m a seraph,”Michael responded calmly. “Some people call us angels. I’m an archangel.”Diarmid stared at Michael blankly. Apparently he had never heard of such a thing. Joni gripped my arm tightly. We were probably even more stunned by Michael’s announcement than Diarmid was perplexed. “It means I’m a messenger,”Michael continued. “I’m an ambassador, carrying out my master’s will. I am one of God’s messengers.”Diarmid raised his eyebrows. “Which one? There are so many gods. Every visitor or tradesman who visits our clan seems to claim different gods. I can’t keep them straight.”“Surely you are familiar with the Great Tree. The Tree of the Spirit Bull?”Michael’s inquiry was met with a grin of satisfaction and an open-mouthed, “Ahh.”His previous bewilderment was immediately replaced with an air of confidence. “I know this one,”Diarmid said resolutely. “The great branch. Taranus. The White Bull. The Creator. From his branch, Hu-Esus, the ideal man who will one day emerge from the tree and guide us all to perfection. And Beli, the Great Flame. A fire that burns still in man, guiding him back to the tree. Together, united in one trunk, all rooted in Ana-Earth, but extending its reach upward toward the skies.”“Indeed,”Michael responded with a smile. “Ceridwen has taught you well. That is the God whom I represent.”“One? But that’s three gods. Taranus, Hu-Esus, and Beli.”“Distinctly three, yes. But together, unified by a single trunk. They are ever distinct, ever inseparable. A unity. I serve all three, even as I serve the one. Together this God is known as All Father, the creator of the world. The One who made you and me. The animals. The forest around us. All of it.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Then there's the whole stronger together strategy . I think a bunch of politicians have used that as a campaign slogan. You know, when they're still trying to convince voting folk that they're cooperative and reasonable people who are willing to work with variously minded people to come up with better solutions than either side has alone. Then, of course, you find out that stronger together only means together with the folks they agree with, fuck everyone else. [...] That's because they always said "stronger together" when they really meant "divide and conquer." They didn't realize the two strategies didn't work together. It's one or the other.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“What are we saying about how secure we are in our beliefs if a difference of opinion is such a threat that we can’t tolerate listening to it or considering it?”
― Theophilus Monroe, Old Dogma New Tricks

“God is in the redemption business.” I suppose if God existed, he was capable of bringing good out of tragedy.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-3

“This isn't a game. It's an opportunity."
I snorted. "That sounds like a euphemism for a diabolical plan.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“I have counsel,” I said. “There is no shortage of people who have opinions about what I should be doing.”“You may have opinions at your disposal, Druid. They may even be good opinions. But whose opinions do you heed? Without your Order, I suspect your own opinion is the only light you have to guide your path.” I huffed. “To act justly requires objectivity. Few of us will illuminate our own path in any way other than how we’d like it to appear without trusted counsel.” Arthur paused for a moment and looked around, gesturing toward his knights. “I know of not too many kings who seek the counsel of their own knights. Though I know of only a few kings henceforth who have not been tyrants.”“Are you sure you can trust them?” I asked. “You said you already know one of them is to betray you.”“I am not so concerned if my person is betrayed… if Arthur is betrayed. But what of justice? Should I have no counsel but only my own opinion, if I merely follow my heart, you can be sure that it will be vanity, not justice, that defines my court.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“I suppose that’s just the world we live in today . The supernatural— the paranormal— we’re fascinated by these things so long as there’s some room to doubt, to question, to explain it. But when it stares us in the face? When there is no alternative explanation? When something scares the crap out of us? We turn to denial. We pretend it didn’t happen. Denial is a defense mechanism. It allows us to move on with our lives under the illusion of normalcy.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Every child is born of a father and mother. But what about the first father and mother? Where did they come from? How were they born?” Diarmid shrugged. “I suppose I never gave it much thought.”“An important matter to consider. If we don’t know where we are from, it is immensely difficult to tell where we are going.”
“According to our legends, Ask and Embla were first molded from earthen clay. The All Father, the master craftsman and creator of all creatures, took earth into his hands and carefully formed our flesh. Our lives and every member. Thus the earth itself became our mother, the soil the very womb from which we were born. When the All Father commanded, when he breathed upon the clay form of man, life entered the body. These clay forms were known, in legend, as Ask and Embla. “They were beautiful beyond description, the finest of all the All Father’s creatures. The closest of all in resemblance to the All Father’s heart. So he made them his stewards. His representations. He charged them to assume care for all the earth, all creatures. Not to rule them, but to guide them, serve them, express the All Father’s love and goodness unto all.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Never underestimate anyone on account of appearance , and certainly not on account of gender, young warrior. A true warrior is tested not by the might of arms but by his unwillingness to underestimate his, or her, opponents.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Tommy spent half his day on Minecraft. The rest of the day was on Fortnite. I didn't get either game. Neither one seemed to have a point other than building crap and killing. Then again, killing things was the point of most video games. They never made video games that allowed someone to level-up by doing virtuous stuff like working at a soup kitchen, raising children, or helping the elderly. Video games rewarded vice. Mostly war and slaughter. If you have to get your homicidal tendencies out of your system, best do it in a virtual world.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“It appears, gentlemen, that our highness is nearly ready for you. Though all preparations have been set aside, I trust you will observe the protocol for greeting a king. Honor him as you would King Donald of your realm.”Roger busted out laughing. Grinning, I replied, “Our realm is not ruled by a king at all, but a man chosen by vote. And the one we call President Trump is hardly a king, and how one might greet him depends…Some honor him. Some would just as well throw poop at him.”Lancelot cocked his head. “Poop?”Roger interjected, “I think what Elijah means to say is that we are not at all familiar with the formalities associated with royalty.”“Very well,”Lancelot said. “Though I should note that your realm must be in a dreadful state if there are those among you who would treat your head of state with such contempt.”“You have no idea,”I added. “These days it seems that people are only capable of respecting leaders selectively.”Lancelot looked confused. “It’s a democracy,”Roger added. “People choose their own leader by a vote.”“But those who did not choose him feel they owe your leader no honor?”Lancelot asked. “In our realm,”I said, shaking my head, “people only seem to honor those with whom they agree.”“Such a realm,”Lancelot said, “cannot stand for long. Such is the state of many kingdoms apart from our own. Without a sense of honor and duty, without a common purpose, such realms are always in a state of war.”“But not Camelot?”I asked. “A divided kingdom,”Lancelot explained, “is prone to war for many reasons. None of these, however, pertain to Camelot under Arthur Pendragon.”“What reasons?”Roger asked. “First, a divided kingdom is so accustomed to conflict within that it cannot help but resort to the same when dealing without. Likewise, however, a divided kingdom is especially vulnerable and therefore attractive to others who would exploit them or, perhaps, aspire to conquer them. A divided realm is like a heated pot of oil. It takes only the slightest thing to upset it and turn it into a rage against itself.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“A woman’s intuition. Powerful magic, that is!”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Crisis and loss, challenges , and broken dreams. These things are not setbacks. They are opportunities. Chances to grow, chances to change, chances to be something better than the misguided dream we first sold our hearts into following would have allowed.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“How did you get past that ?” I asked, genuinely interested. “How can you trust anyone knowing you’ll be betrayed? How can you even think about having children knowing you’ll exchange death blows some day?”“A tragic end doesn’t spoil all the joy that life still has in store. A betraying friend was still a friend. Friendship is worth cherishing. A wayward child is still a child to love. One cannot ask for more in life than that.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“It’s easier to fear a caricature of a villain than it is to confront the villainy within. The tendency toward evil, toward violence, that hides in the darkness of a human soul is the most terrifying monster in the world. Want to fight something evil? Start with yourself. Confront your darkness before you fuck with mine.
[...] Ironic, I suppose, since there’s more than enough monster in humans to spare. There’s also a lot within humanity that’s beautiful, that motivates people to pursue virtue rather than vice. Vampire, witch, mambo, human, whatever . There’s a little good in the worst of us and a little bad in the best of us. The key isn’t so much about choosing one path or the other, but having the wisdom to discern the difference. After all, even the world’s worst villains believed they were heroes. Bad guys usually think they’re the good guys.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Monsters and Mambos

“I'd say it was a nice change of pace to find myself facing off against a moron for once. Idiots with power, though, can be just as dangerous as the most conniving villain.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wraiths and Warlocks

“No longer am I consumed with wars between clans or even nations and empires. Now there is one final war left to decide ... the war between humanity and itself. Yes, I’ve seen world wars. But now the war for the world has begun... and I cannot remain silent.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Gates of Eden: The Druid Legacy 1-4

“Cleo grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I understand you have a hole inside of you. But, perhaps, it’s not a vacuum that should ever be filled. It’s supposed to hurt, Joni.” I snorted. “Not exactly comforting. I don’t know how long I can live with this feeling.” Cleo pressed her lips together. “What you feel isn’t only loss, you know.” I shook my head. “Then what else could it be?”“It’s love. If it wasn’t for love, the loss wouldn’t hurt. Remember, when the pain overwhelms, when it seems like you can’t make it through another day... it comes from love. And love is worth aching for.”
― Theophilus Monroe, Wyrmrider Boxed Set