“
This evening I spied her in the back orchard. I decided to sacrifice one of my better old shirts and carried it out to her. The weather’s been warm of late. Buds on the apple trees are ready to burst. Usually by this time of the year, at that time of day, the back orchard is full of screaming children. Damut’s boys were the only two. They were on the terrace below her, running through the slanted sunlight, chasing each other around tree trunks. She stood above them, like a merlin watching rabbits play.
”
”
K. Ritz (Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master)
“
Do you think we can be friends?” I asked.
He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend.
”
”
Priya Ardis (Ever My Merlin (My Merlin, #3))
“
Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s chat.”
Chat. British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Merlin Awakening (My Merlin, #2))
“
I was very afraid at the beginning, until Master told me that pain isn't the truth; it's what you have to get through in order to find the truth.
”
”
Deepak Chopra (The Return of Merlin)
“
Merlin, if you don't stop whining, I'm going to take Gwen's sword and beat you to death with it," said Arthur, evenly.
"It's plastic."
"So it will take me a long time. I'm still game.
”
”
FayJay (The Student Prince (The Student Prince, #1))
“
I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”
Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Merlin Awakening (My Merlin, #2))
“
Do I look like I want to be involved in your teen love saga? Ask someone who cares.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Boyfriend Merlin (My Merlin, #1))
“
The older I grow the more I become certain that it makes no difference what words we use to tell the same truths.
”
”
Marion Zimmer Bradley (The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1))
“
My childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood.
”
”
Gerald Durrell (My Family and Other Animals (Corfu Trilogy, #1))
“
He’d used the amulet to read my thoughts again.
I pictured smacking him in the face.
”
”
Priya Ardis (Ever My Merlin (My Merlin, #3))
“
Well, can you tell her that?"
He looked down at his feet. "I will. I will."
Guy-speak for, "I plan to keep avoiding her until she gives up.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Merlin Awakening (My Merlin, #2))
“
The more I reach for her soul, the more I connect with mine.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
It’s all about the company you keep, isn’t it, Chief Inspector? Now Mr Trenton, who I know wouldn’t hurt a fly, has certain…preferences, if you know what I mean.’ He gave Merlin a meaningful look. ‘I don’t want to get anyone into trouble, of course.
”
”
Mark Ellis (Death of an Officer)
“
I realized that I was on a sticky wicket that just received another bout of acid rain.
”
”
Merlin Franco (A Dowryless Wedding)
“
Everything he says is new to me. But something about it sounds so familiar, like a passive knowledge I had always known before. I want this liberation, this boundless love!
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
Maybe the Merlin was right. Maybe its better to look stupid but strong, than it is to look smart but weak, I don't know. I'm not sure I want to believe that the world stage bears that strong a resemblance to high school.
”
”
Jim Butcher (Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, #11))
“
I meditate fourteen hours a day—two hours out of bed and twelve hours in bed. The mortals call it sleeping, but the enlightened are awake. It’s just the body that sleeps.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
If I were to lock you up in a dungeon, I guarantee you would not be bored.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Merlin Awakening (My Merlin, #2))
“
Enlightenment through spirituality versus sexuality is a chicken-and-egg situation. But I’m not bothered about what comes first—as long as I have both the chicken and the egg.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
Plus, I happened to be a history nerd. Why else would I be interested in a guy born in the year 519?
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Merlin Awakening (My Merlin, #2))
“
The night is dark, the lamps are all off, and the moon is new. But my inner eye sees the path. I follow my feet, and my feet follow my soul.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
What do I have for the witch behind me? Do you want my life, Sorceress?
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
To you, the beautiful human in you, who, like everybody else on this planet, is on an everyday struggle to love and be loved. I hope you find the love, happiness, and enlightenment you have been looking for, in you, in your backyard, in your wretched little neighborhood.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
This place is a paradox: it’s a backward shit heap with no cell phone signal and thus no WhatsApp. But we have broadband cables at home and jobless aunties on the main street who spread misinformation faster than radio waves. I
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
The revelation that I’m destined to meet many virgins from the East and the promise of limitless love they hold in their bosoms gives me strength, fortitude, and tenacity—and the wisdom to know that all three are synonyms.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
I realize three things: one, I want a tantric massage, but I don’t want to be nude; two, I want the union of masculine and feminine powers, and I’ve got a hooker with whom I don’t want to have sex; three, I’m confused and don’t know what I want.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
Like a feather, I let you go. To where you belong.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
To some people, I am kind of a Merlin who takes lots of crazy chances, but rarely makes mistakes. I've made some bad ones, but fortunately, the successes have come along fast enough to cover up the mistakes. When you go to bat as many times as I do, and continually improve upon your mistakes, you're bound to get a good average.
”
”
Walt Disney Company
“
Bhagwan says that running after money will never bring happiness, and finding true happiness is to touch the center of one’s soul. I can have all the money in this world and still be unhappy. Likewise, I can have no money and still be happy. Happiness is just a state of mind. I choose to be happy.
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
I am a total zombie just after I wake up. It takes me half an hour even to get my eyes open. Ask anyone who knows me. I can't see; I can't talk properly; I can't do anything without help. The only think I can do properly is think. And I know how to exploit my condition. I've had years of practice.
”
”
Diana Wynne Jones (The Merlin Conspiracy (Magids, #2))
“
Rough palms cradled my face while my fingers gripped the pillow on either side of his. Lips, teeth, tongue, mingled together. I ate him up and didn’t let go until I had to come up for air.
”
”
Priya Ardis
“
I guess maybe you don’t get to be the Merlin of the White Council by saving up frequent-flier miles
”
”
Jim Butcher (Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, #11))
“
This is beyond understanding." said the king. "You are the wisest man alive. You know what is preparing. Why do you not make a plan to save yourself?"
And Merlin said quietly, "Because I am wise. In the combat between wisdom and feeling, wisdom never wins.
”
”
John Steinbeck (The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights)
“
And I came to understand, in a way I never had before, that books are truly the stuff of miracles. I even dared to dream that someday, somehow, I might surround myself with books from many times and many tongues...
”
”
T.A. Barron (The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, #1))
“
The footpath curves right, and my home’s roof ridge is visible through the coconut fronds. A streak of happiness lights up in my heart. I know it’s just a building, but I hear its frantic call, reaching out to me like a mother cow that has lost its calf. Is this what differentiates a home from a house—the life in the former, the soul breathed in by my grandparents, my parents, and me?
”
”
Merlin Franco (Saint Richard Parker)
“
I will never know you well enough. I will always want more.
”
”
Priya Ardis (Ever My Merlin (My Merlin, #3))
“
My name is Arianna Morganna Brittany DuLac--you can imagine why I went by the name Ryan.
”
”
Priya Ardis (My Boyfriend Merlin (My Merlin, #1))
“
Answers come and go, I've found. But the questions? Those remain forever.
”
”
T.A. Barron (Merlin's Dragon)
“
I noticed him right away. No, it wasn’t his lean, rugged face. Or the dark waves of shiny hair that hung just a little too long on his forehead. It wasn’t the slim, collarless biker jacket he wore, hugging his lean shoulders. It was the way he stood. The confident way he waited in the cafeteria line to get a slice of pizza. He didn’t saunter. He didn’t amble. He stood at the center, and let the other people buzz around him. His stance was straight and sure.
”
”
Priya Ardis (Ever My Merlin (My Merlin, #3))
“
Merlin stood up. For once, late as it was, he was pleased to see the Assistant Commissioner because he had been trying unsuccessfully to get hold of him all day. “May I introduce Detective Bernard Goldberg of the New York Police Department.”
Merlin held out a hand to the stocky young man now standing on the AC’s right. Detective Goldberg was an inch or two shorter than Merlin, with a closely cropped head of dark-brown hair and the crumpled face of a man who might have walked into a wall.
”
”
Mark Ellis (The French Spy)
“
O Merlin", said Arthur, "Here hadst thou been slain for all thy crafts had I not been." "Nay," said Merlin, "Not so, for I could save myself an I would; and thou art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest to the deathward, an God be not thy friend.
”
”
Thomas Malory (Le Morte d'Arthur)
“
Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five times winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. But I don't talk about that; I didn't get rid of the Banden Banshee by smiling at him.
”
”
J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2))
“
I think too many people presume to read the divine Scriptures and fall into such terrors as this,' said Patricius sternly. 'Those who presume on their learning will learn, I trust, to listen to their priests for the true interpretations.'
The Merlin smiled gently. 'I cannot join you in that wish, brother. I am dedicated to the belief that it is God's will that all men should strive for wisdom in themselves, not look to it from some other. Babes, perhaps, must have their food chewed for them by a nurse, but men may drink and eat of wisdom for themselves.
”
”
Marion Zimmer Bradley (The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1))
“
I am nothing, yes; I am air and darkness, a word, a promise. I watch in the crystal and I wait in the hollow hills. But out there in the light I have a young king and a bright sword to do my work for me, and build what will stand when my name is only a word for forgotten songs and outworn wisdom, and when your name, Morgause, is only a hissing in the dark.
”
”
Mary Stewart (The Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga, #2))
“
No other Merlin can protect you like I can because no other Merlin feels about you the way I do. I want you to live because I want you to be happy. Not because of a spell, but because so very many things would break and go dark if you weren't in the world. Myself included.
”
”
Tracy Deonn (Bloodmarked (The Legendborn Cycle, #2))
“
The Queen of Air and Darkness tilted back her head and laughed. A more ghastly sound I hope never to hear. ‘Do you think I care about these trifles?’
‘Murder is no trifle, woman,’ Arthur said.
‘No? How many men have you killed, Great King? How many have you slain without cause? How many did you cut down that you might have spared? How many died because you in your battle-rage would not heed their pleas for mercy?’
The High King opened his mouth to speak, but could make no answer.
”
”
Stephen R. Lawhead (Arthur (The Pendragon Cycle, #3))
“
There’s another story I know. This one doesn’t have any swords or visions. This one is about a boy who found a girl during a terrible time.”
“How did it turn out?”
“I don’t know, but I do know the boy doesn’t regret it. Not a minute. No matter how it turns out. Because he’s been waiting for this girl from the time she was born, and if it takes another thousand years to meet her again, he’d wait again. Whatever it takes.
”
”
Priya Ardis (Ever My Merlin (My Merlin, #3))
“
If you can master me, that look seemed to say, then you can master whatever else this wicked world might bring. I can see her now, standing amidst her deerhounds that had the same thin, lean bodies, and the same long nose and the same huntess eyes as their mistress. Green eyes, she had, with a kind of cruelty deep inside them. It was not a soft face, any more that her body was soft. She was a woman of strong lines and high bones, and that made for a good face and a handsome one, but hard, so hard. What made her beautiful was her hair and her carriage, for she stood as straight as spear and her hair fell around her shoulders like a cascade of tumbling red tangles. That red hair softened her looks, while her laughter snared men like salmon caught in basket traps. There have been many more beautiful women, and thousands who were better, but since the world was weaned I doubt there have been many more so unforgettable as Guinevere, eldest daughter of Leodegan, the exiled King of Henis Wyren.
And it would have been better, Merlin always said, had she been drowned at birth.
”
”
Bernard Cornwell (The Winter King (The Warlord Chronicles, #1))
“
The universe is so very complicated," said Dr Dimble.
"So you have said rather often before, dear," replied Mrs Dimble
"Have I?" he said with a smile. "How often, I wonder? As often as you've told the story of the pony and trap at Dawlish?"
"Cecil! I haven't told it for years."
"My dear, I heard you telling it to Camilla the night before last."
"Oh, Camilla! That was quite different. She'd never heard it before."
"I don't know if we can even be certain about that...the universe being so complicated and all." For a few minutes there was silence between them.
"But about Merlin?" asked Mrs Dimble presently.
"Have you ever noticed," said Dimble," that the universe, and every little bit of the universe, is always hardening and narrowing and coming to a point?"
His wife waited as those wait who know by long experience the mental processes of the person who is talking to them.
"I mean this," said Dimble, answering the question she had not asked. "If you dip into any college, or school, or parish, or family—anything you like—at a given point in its history, you always find that there was a time before that point when there was more elbow room and contrasts weren't quite so sharp; and that there's going to be a time after that point when there is even less room for indecision and choices are even more momentous. Good is always getting better and bad is always getting worse: the possibilities of even apparent neutrality are always diminishing.
”
”
C.S. Lewis (That Hideous Strength (The Space Trilogy, #3))
“
From time to time, Musk will send out an e-mail to the entire company to enforce a new policy or let them know about something that’s bothering him. One of the more famous e-mails arrived in May 2010 with the subject line: Acronyms Seriously Suck: There is a creeping tendency to use made up acronyms at SpaceX. Excessive use of made up acronyms is a significant impediment to communication and keeping communication good as we grow is incredibly important. Individually, a few acronyms here and there may not seem so bad, but if a thousand people are making these up, over time the result will be a huge glossary that we have to issue to new employees. No one can actually remember all these acronyms and people don’t want to seem dumb in a meeting, so they just sit there in ignorance. This is particularly tough on new employees. That needs to stop immediately or I will take drastic action—I have given enough warnings over the years. Unless an acronym is approved by me, it should not enter the SpaceX glossary. If there is an existing acronym that cannot reasonably be justified, it should be eliminated, as I have requested in the past. For example, there should be no “HTS” [horizontal test stand] or “VTS” [vertical test stand] designations for test stands. Those are particularly dumb, as they contain unnecessary words. A “stand” at our test site is obviously a *test* stand. VTS-3 is four syllables compared with “Tripod,” which is two, so the bloody acronym version actually takes longer to say than the name! The key test for an acronym is to ask whether it helps or hurts communication. An acronym that most engineers outside of SpaceX already know, such as GUI, is fine to use. It is also ok to make up a few acronyms/contractions every now and again, assuming I have approved them, eg MVac and M9 instead of Merlin 1C-Vacuum or Merlin 1C-Sea Level, but those need to be kept to a minimum.
”
”
Ashlee Vance (Elon Musk: Inventing the Future)