101 Quotes by John Buchan

When a man comes out of great danger, he is apt to be a little deaf to the call of duty.

If you’re going to be killed you invent some kind of flag and country to fight for, and if you survive you get to love the thing

It is a melancholy fact which exponents of democracy must face that, while all men may be on a level in the eyes of the State, they will continue in fact to be preposterously unequal.

He had just the same narrow head, and stubborn mouth, and honest, quick-tempered eyes. It is the type that makes dashing regimental officers, and earns V.C.’s, and gets done in wholesale. I was never that kind. I belonged to the school of the cunning cowards.

I have to consider the honour of my house.' 'Honour?' Jaikie queried. 'Yes, honour,' said Ashie severely. 'Have you anything to say against it?' 'N-o-o. But it’s an awkward word and apt to obscure reason.' 'It is a very real thing, which you English do not understand.' 'We understand it well enough, but we are shy of talking about it.

I get into a tearing passion about something I know very little about, and when I learn more my passion ebbs away.

The secret belongs only to the Maker of good and faithful dogs.

All this was very loose guessing, and I don't pretend it was ingenious or scientific. I wasn't any kind of Sherlock Holmes. But I have always fancied I had a kind of instinct about questions like this. I don't know if I can explain myself, but I used to use my brains as far as they went, and after they came to a blank wall I guessed, and I usually found my guesses pretty right.

By God!' he whispered, drawing his breath in sharply, 'it is all pure Rider Haggard and Conan Doyle.