Famous the world over, Genghis Khan was a rare, legendary figure in the annuals of history of status that only a select few such as Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar could hope to match. In his lifetime, the Mongol leader's achievements in military strategy and political leadership were near unparalleled, conquering much of Asia with such a relatively tiny army that only a heavy emphasis on clever battle tactics and a keen mind for psychology could even hope to see victory. The quotes here are of a legendary genius' thoughts of life, war, and happiness that should inspire your own conquests.
If you’re afraid – don’t do it, – if you’re doing it – don’t be afraid!
I am the punishment of God…If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.
It is not sufficient that I succeed – all others must fail.
A person is more work to break his enemies, drive them before him, and of them all is to hear the screams of those they loved.
An action comitted in anger is an action doomed to failure.
I’m going by the law, so that peace and happiness in the world there are hard and fast rule.
I will rule them by fixed laws so that rest and happiness shall prevail in the world.
I am from the Barbaric North. I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse-herders. We make the same sacrifices and we share our riches.
In the space of seven years I have succeeded in accomplishing a great work and uniting the whole world in one Empire.
Even when a friend does something you do not like, he continues to be your friend.
Man’s greatest joy is to slay his enemy, plunder his riches, ride his steeds, see the tears of his loved ones and embrace his women.
A leader can never be happy until his people are happy.
Come and sip from the cup of destruction.
Despite all expectations, the time of my last campaign and of my passing is near. I wish to die at home. Let not my end disarm you, and on no account weep for me, lest the enemy be warned of my death.
The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it.
The merit in action lies in finishing it to the end.
Those who were adept and brave fellows I have made military commanders. Those who were quick and nimble I have made herders of horses. Those who were not adept I have given a small whip and sent to be shepherds.
If lies can show the truth, they can be the truth, they can cause the truth, so I may build an empire on lies, but they are the truth.
Find your chill.
A man’s greatest moment in life is when his enemy lays vanquished, his village aflame, his herds driven before you and his weeping wives and daughters are clasped to your breast.
If unable to abstain from drinking, a man may get drunk three times a month; if he does it more than three times he is culpable; if he gets drunk twice a month it is better; if once a month, this is still more laudable; and if one does not drink at all what can be better? But where can I find such a man? If such a man were found he would be worthy of the highest esteem.
There is no good in anything until it is finished.
If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.
Happiness lies in conquering one’s enemies, in driving them in front of oneself, in taking their property, in savoring their despair, in outraging their wives and daughters.
With Heaven’s aid I have conquered for you a huge empire. But my life was too short to achieve the conquest of the world. That task is left for you.
One arrow alone can be easily broken but many arrows are indestructible.
A man’s greatest work is to break his enemies, to drive them before him, to take from them all the things that have been theirs, to hear the weeping of those who cherished them.
Heaven has appointed me to rule all the nations, for hitherto there has been no order upon the steppes.
Remember, you have no companions but your shadow.
Perhaps my children will live in stone houses and walled towns – Not I.
One of the joys of travel is visiting new towns and meeting new people.
Man’s highest joy is in victory: to conquer one’s enemies; to pursue them; to deprive them of their possessions; to make their beloved weep; to ride on their horses; and to embrace their wives and daughters.
I am the flail of god. Had you not created great sins, god would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.
Oh people, know that you have committed great sins. If you ask me what proof I have for these words, I say it is because I am the punishment of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you!
The Greatest Happiness is to scatter your enemy and drive him before you. To see his cities reduced to ashes. To see those who love him shrouded and in tears. And to gather to your bosom his wives and daughters.
Conquering the world on horseback is easy; it is dismounting and governing that is hard.
Say ye unto the Khwarezmians that I am the sovereign of the sunrise, and [he is] the sovereign of the sunset. Let there be between us a firm treaty of friendship, amity, and peace, and let traders and caravans on both sides come and go.
People conquered on different sides of the lake should be ruled on different sides of the lake.
Heaven grew weary of the excessive pride and luxury of China… I am from the Barbaric North. I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse-herders. We make the same sacrifices and we share.. our riches. I look upon the nation as a new-born child and I care for my soldiers as though they were my brothers.
I hate luxury. I exercise moderation…It will be easy to forget your vision and purpose one you have fine clothes, fast horses and beautiful women. [In which case], you will be no better than a slave, and you will surely lose everything.
All who surrender will be spared; whoever does not surrender but opposes with struggle and dissension, shall be annihilated.
Violence never settles anything.
As my calling is high, the obligations incumbent upon me are also heavy; and I fear that in my ruling there may be something wanting.
Be of one mind and one faith, that you may conquer your enemies and lead long and happy lives.
When my call is high, the obligations of me, too, are heavy, and I fear that my decision may be something they want.
Not even a mighty warrior can brake a frail arrow when it is multiplied and supported by its fellows. As long as you brothers support one another and render assistance to one another, your enemies can never gain the victory over you. But if you fall away from each other your enemy can brake you like frail arrows, one at a time.
The pleasure and joy of man lies in treading down the rebel and conquering the enemy, in tearing him up by the root, in taking from him all that he has.
Just as God gave different fingers to the hand so has He given different ways to men.
When it was wet, we bore the wet together, when it was cold, we bore the cold together.
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