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Sword Quotes

The sword as a symbol of conflict, and of restraint.

Living by the sword, in these lines, comes with an accepted cost, a kind of backlash that gets absorbed rather than avoided. Fiction writers describe planning pivotal, sword-centered scenes long before they reach the page. This page gathers quotes on that tension. See also Fighting quotes.

The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.

Quotes by Aeschylus

So we're living by that sword, and we're going to cut every now and then from it's backlash.

Quotes by Vince McMahon

Maven is very much a haunting presence in 'Glass Sword.' His influence is everywhere, and he dogs Mare and Cal like no other. He's my favorite character to write because he's so complex, but also because he affects everyone else...

Quotes by Victoria Aveyard

'Glass Sword' has several set piece scenes that I plotted out or visualized before I wrote them, but I always knew they were coming. They anchor bits of the story.

Quotes by Victoria Aveyard

Always Quotes

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

Quotes by Ulysses S. Grant

Bring back dueling, I say. Drive-by sword fight.

Quotes by Tim Roth

Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all England.

Quotes by Thomas Malory

The glory of the old Irish nation, which in our hour will grow young and strong again. Should we fail, the country will not be worth more than it is now. The sword of famine is less sparing than the...

Quotes by Thomas Francis Meagher

Shields were generally made of wood, covered with leather, or some similar substance. To secure them, in some sort, from being cut through by the sword, they were surrounded with a hoop of metal.

Quotes by Thomas Bulfinch

Fighting Quotes

The king, you say, desires to do what is right. My clergy are banished, my possessions are taken from me, the sword hangs over my neck. Do you call this right?

Quotes by Thomas Becket

Even after Sword was published, I was still only thinking about the next book, Elfstones.

Quotes by Terry Brooks

Sword fighting in film is not about how good the fighter is, but how good the actor receiving the blows is.

Quotes by Takeshi Kitano

Technology is always a double-edged sword.

Quotes by Stephen Morris

I don't seem to take vacations, but I must say, a jaunt into Central Park can be mighty transporting. My boy and I can spend hours in the Ramble scaling rocks and sword fighting with sticks. I often forget I'm...

Quotes by Spencer Kayden

Good Quotes

The sword conquered for a while, but the spirit conquers for ever!

Quotes by Sholem Asch

I believe samurai in the Edo period and modern hip-hop artists have something in common. Rappers open the way to their future with one microphone; samurai decided their fate with one sword.

Quotes by Shinichiro Watanabe

My weapon of choice is the nunchuck. I do like the bo as well, which I use, the staff. I'm not so good with the sword, but I picked a lot of stuff up on 'Ninja 1' with the sword.

Quotes by Scott Adkins

With 'Grimm,' it's a lot of fun for me to be able to play within the familiar world of fairy tales. As for satisfying my inner fantasy geek, anything that would have me wielding a sword or shooting a bow...

Quotes by Sasha Roiz

Sir Kenneth MacMillan's version of 'Romeo and Juliet' is my favorite full-length ballet, Sergei Prokofiev's breathtaking score a favorite composition of music. As a student of martial arts, I loved drawing my sword in defense of my Capulet kin.

Quotes by Sascha Radetsky

Life Quotes

Logic is like the sword - those who appeal to it, shall perish by it.

Quotes by Samuel Butler

Frequently Asked Questions

What does sword represent across these quotes?
It ranges from a metaphor for consequences ("living by that sword... going to cut... from its backlash") to a literal fictional weapon in the novel "Glass Sword," to a historical reflection on wanting to avoid ever having to draw one.
Is Glass Sword a real book referenced here?
Yes — two quotes discuss "Glass Sword" specifically, including how its scenes were plotted in advance and how the character Maven haunts the story as a favorite to write because of his complexity.
What's the meaning of the living by the sword quote?
It adapts the old saying about consequences — choosing an aggressive path means occasionally absorbing its "backlash," a way of acknowledging that confrontation cuts both ways.
Is there a historical quote about the sword?
One line reflects on wishing a way could always be found "to prevent the drawing of the sword" — a general statement against resorting to conflict, without naming a specific war or figure.
Where can I find related quotes?
For the theme of conflict more broadly, see Fighting quotes.

One quote hopes a way could always be found to avoid drawing the sword at all, treating restraint as its own kind of strength. For related pages, try Good quotes or Life quotes.