Hither came Conan the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand,…

Hither came Conan the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet.

Sourced, “The Phoenix on the Sword
” (1932)

Other Robert E. Howard Quotes

Barbarism is the natural state of mankind,” the borderer said, still staring somberly at the Cimmerian. “Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph. - View Quote Details on Barbarism is the natural state of mankind,” the borderer said,…
… you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?”
“I was,” grunted [Conan]. “I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn’t yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires. - View Quote Details on "I...">… you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?”
“I…
Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing. - View Quote Details on Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know…
Conan sensed their uncertainty and grinned mirthlessly and ferociously. “Who dies first?” - View Quote Details on Conan sensed their uncertainty and grinned mirthlessly and ferociously. “Who…
He grunted with satisfaction. The feel of the hilt cheered him and gave him a glow of confidence. Whatever webs of conspiracy were drawn about him, whatever trickery and treachery ensnared him, this knife was real. The great muscles of his right arm swelled in anticipation of murderous blows. - View Quote Details on He grunted with satisfaction. The feel of the hilt cheered…
It may sound fantastic to link the term “realism” with Conan; but as a matter of fact - his supernatural adventures aside - he is the most realistic character I ever evolved. he is simply a combination of a number of men I have known, and I think that’s why he seemed to step full-grown into my consciousness when I wrote the first yarn of the series. Some mechanism in my sub-consciousness took the dominant characteristics of various prize-fighters, gunmen, bootleggers, oil field bullies, gamblers, and honest workmen I had come in contact with, and combining them all, produced the amalgamation I call Conan the Cimmerian. - View Quote Details on It may sound fantastic to link the term “realism” with…
When I cannot stand alone, it will be time to die,” he mumbled, through mashed lips. “But I’d like a flagon of wine. - View Quote Details on When I cannot stand alone, it will be time to…
Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man…! - View Quote Details on Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to…
Arus saw a tall powerfully built youth, naked but for a loin-cloth, and sandals strapped high about his ankles. His skin was burned brown as by the suns of the wastelands and Arus glanced nervously at his broad shoulders, massive chest and heavy arms, A single look at the moody, broad-browed features told the watchman the man was no Nemedian. From under a mop of unruly black hair smoldered a pair of dangerous blue eyes. A long sword hung in a leather scabbard at his girdle. - View Quote Details on Arus saw a tall powerfully built youth, naked but for…
If that’s true, then awnser this priest, why are we in these pits, hiding from some animal?” Conan asked “Someday, when all your civilization and science are likewise swept away, your kind will pray for a man with a sword. - View Quote Details on If that’s true, then awnser this priest, why are we…