James Clavell

"Changi became my university instead of my prison. … Among the inmates there were experts in all walks of life — the high and the low roads. I studied and absorbed everything I could from physics to counterfeiting, but most of all I learned the art of surviving."

"The more I know, the more sure I am I know so little. The eternal paradox."

"God gives us intelligence to uncover the wonders of nature. Without the gift, nothing is possible."

"The search for the truth is the most important work in the whole world — and the most dangerous."

"For Those Who Were There And Are Not. For Those Who Were There And Are For Him. But Most, For Her."

"Help! Help me! Please help me! Help me!"

"I get so scared sometimes. The suddenness of our age! Electronics, rockets, earth satellites, supersonic flight, and now this. Its not so much who invents them. Its the fact they exist. … Everythings going so fast, Im just not ready to take it all in. Its, its all so quick"

"First she studied her husbands flower arrangement. He had chosen the blossom of a single white wild rose and put a single pearl of water on the green leaf, and set it on red stones. Autumn is coming, he was suggesting with the flower, talking through the flower, do not weep for the time of fall, the time of dying when the earth begins to sleep; enjoy the time of beginning again and experience the glorious cool of the autumn air on this summer evening...soon the tear will vanish and the rose, only the stones will remain — soon you and I will vanish and only the stones will remain."

"Im going to get that bloody bastard if I die in the attempt."

"It is a very pretty flag. … I wish I could have a piece of it. I know! If its so important, I think we should all have a piece of it. Dont you? … Now we should decide — who should be allowed to cut the first piece off!"

"God bless mommy and daddy, and please can we have some candy."

"Now the sun touched the horizon and the man reined in his horse tiredly, glad that the time for prayer had come."