Legend of the Galactic Heroes

“For as long as human history goes on, the past will continue to accumulate. History isn’t just records of the past. It’s also proof that civilization has continued to advance to the present. Our present civilization is the result of our past.”

“Something that's supposed to die and doesn't will eventually rot away, whether it's a man or a nation.”

“There certainly are things that cannot be told in words, but that can only be said by people who have exhausted their use of words. Words are like icebergs that are floating on the ocean called "heart". The parts that show above the sea surface are small, but they still let us perceive the larger parts that are hidden below the water. Use words deliberately. If you do, you'll be able to convey more things more accurately than if you were to keep silent. Right judgement can only be made with right information and right analyses.”

“Someone who cannot hate something, cannot love something, either.”

“Dictatorship itself isn't absolutely evil, it's just another form of government. The point is how you can run it for the benefit of society.”

“Maybe humans are capable of committing far more shameless acts than they imagine they are. If they hadn’t faced adversity, they might have gone without discovering such ugly facets of themselves.”

“Perhaps in this universe, there exists a solitary, absolute truth. Perhaps it clarifies every question. But that’s beyond the reach of these short hands.”

“All heroes have established their thrones atop, not just their enemies. But a large quantity of allied corpses as well. There are no monarchs with clean hands.”

“Children don't grow up looking at perfect parents. Rather, using their imperfect parents as anti-teachers, children nourish a spirit of independence.”

“Love and the human mind can't be analyzed with formulas. It's not so unusual for love to make you forget the sense of care and respect for others. There's no logic. It's an uncontrollable urge. To tell you the truth, it’d be worrisome if you became like that. Your mind is keen, and your character is good. But passion has nothing to do with mind or character.”

“For those who have come to power, wealth and glory not by their own strength and effort, but simply through inheritance, what right do they have to complain? The very existence of such blood-lineage dynasties is disgusting. Power is the property of one generation. It shouldn't be transferred, it should be seized.”

“There is great satisfaction in fighting for the sake of gaining power, but it’s joyless to fight for the sake of maintaining it.”

“A student who is too loyal to his master has no chance of surpassing that master... A mutinous spirit is the source of independence.”

“I’d rather fight and regret it than not fight and regret it.”

“It’s the most powerful words in the world. No just argument or eloquence can stand a chance against it. It’s… ”So what?””

“Even if the clothes are too large in the beginning, they’ll fill out as you grow. The same goes for courage… The secret of not getting killed by the enemy is to underestimate life’s difficulties.”

“What we need now is not the diary of the past, but instead the calendar of the future.”

“Either way, the only ones who can die tomorrow are those who survive today.”