Terrence O'Brien > Quotes

“Let the press do your work, the Old Man had cautioned. “They don’t care if it’s true, they just want to get their story on TV. They will do anything for better ratings. They package the news as entertainment. They have little education, but they consider themselves worldly and informed. They know nothing of history, not even their own. The more outlandish the story, the harder they work to make it true. And never, never underestimate how much they resent that they do not rule their own societies. They know they are smarter than everyone else. See how much they interview each other? And it is only a cruel trick of fate that they are not in charge.”
― Terrence O'Brien, The Templar Concordat

“The Master unlocked the door, hit a few buttons on the desk console and Andre appeared. “Call a full Council, Andre. Get the other five. Special meeting. No agenda. As soon as possible. ” “Live or video, Sir?” “Live, damn it! If I want to choke someone I need a neck handy.”
― Terrence O'Brien, The Templar Concordat

“I don’t like it. A retreat is still a retreat, no matter what you call it, even if you call it a ‘strategic redeployment of forces.’” The Marshall spat on the sawdust floor of the tavern.”
― Terrence O'Brien, The Templar Concordat

“Conditions can’t be any better. Clear skies, tide going out, and an offshore wind are gifts from God. A sailor can’t ask for any more.” The admiral drained his pewter mug and called to the landlord for more ale. “I wish you fair winds, my friend. And just ask God for luck. Don’t ask for anything else. It’s too confusing. See, if he grants you good luck, that covers everything else.” The Marshall looked down into his ale and swirled it around. “You know what this means.”  He drained the mug. The admiral nodded, but said nothing. “I don’t like it. A retreat is still a retreat, no matter what you call it, even if you call it a ‘strategic redeployment of forces.’” The Marshall spat on the sawdust floor of the tavern.”
― Terrence O'Brien, The Templar Concordat

“This guy was born five hundred years too late, Gerard realized. Blanket denial worked just fine with an illiterate population that accepted every word from the priest’s mouth without question. The Earth isn’t flat anymore, and the sun doesn’t move around the Earth. But that’s not what he faced out there.”
― Terrence O'Brien, The Templar Concordat