The Arabian Nightmare Quotes

“One day he became conscious that something was following him, a lazy white dog, a bitch with heavy dugs, padded behind him, whining continuously. When Balian sat collapsed in the shadows of the houses, the dog would circle him, breathing heavily and whining, her lips hanging loose in a sly sort of grin. In streets, in deserted ruins and in crowded market places Balian was aware that a flabby white shadow trailed behind him, and at nights, when Balian slept in the open, the dog would lie down too at a distance, panting in the hot night air.”
― Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nightmare

“Magic is absurd. It is a system of thinking that does not work and does not get one anywhere," said the friar.

"It works, but it does not get one anywhere," said Vance.

"But it is very beautiful. Magic is an art that pleases the eye and the ear," said Bulbul.”
― Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nightmare

“Flying is only a figure for something else. If you cannot succeed here at this, then you will fail elsewhere at other things. You must strengthen your will, for you do not need a master. In truth, you have too many masters. It is being said that everyone is your master.”
― Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nightmare

“Then he recited to the still very groggy Sultan the old Arab proverb, 'He that sleeps one-third of the night has done as well as he that sleeps half the night, and he that sleeps all night will awaken an idiot.”
― Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nightmare

“The Christian, when he had calmed down sufficiently, admitted that the riddle was good. “I have created something cleverer than myself," he cried.'
Here Yoll interrupted himself. 'I do not understand his astonishment, for who has not heard of a storyteller who is stupider than the story he invents?”
― Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nightmare