History shows no force so strong, no statement so persuasive, as a people's belief that they are the best, that they are destiny's progeny, and the chosen rulers of mankind. They fall for it every time.
-From In the Belly of the Dragon: My Service in the Draconis Combine, By Ambassador Cari Glessen, Lyran Commonwealth Historical Press, 2928

Before the formation of the Draconis Combine, chaos reigned as Man drifted aimlessly among the stars. It took the inspired hand of Shiro Kurita, First Lord and Citizen, to forge a dynamic and noble path from which we still derive strength and to which we must still pledge obeisance.
-From Observations of Greatness, by Subhash Indrahar, Red Dragon Press, 3021

The Kearny-Fuchida hyperspatial drive is a scientific hoax. The concept of going from one star to another in a nanosecond is not science... it's a bloomin' Grade-A religious-type miracle, and I, for one, am gonna treat it as such!
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

What is a homeworld, you ask? I'll tell you; a homeworld is any chunk of rock in space where man can live, whether it is Terra or new Terra or some Other Terra. And I can promise you, if there are any Little Green Men who try to push us off, they are going to have a real fight on their hands.
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

When man goes anywhere, even into outer space, he takes all his bad habits with him. Even politics. Come to think of it, especially politics.
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

If the vocation of soldier isn't mankind's oldest profession, it's got to be close.
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

From the ashes of political divisiveness, Terra rose once more like a proud phoenix. If the analogy holds true, Terra may one day rise again in political importance capable of casting her shadow over House Kurita and the Draconis Combine. This is something we must not let happen, even if we are forced to attack Terra directly!
-ISF internal memorandum from Theodore Kurita, Prince of Luthien, to Subhash Indrahar, Director of the ISF, ComStar Archives

What surprising rivalry? The Kurita-Ozawa family dispute only surfaced publicly during the late-23rd and early 24th centuries. The way I see it, Shiro Kurita was trying to get even finally for the way Jisaburo Ozawa made Takeo Kurita look bad at Terra's Battle of Leyte Gulf-three and a half centuries ago.
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

I offer you an opportunity to join with the Terran Hegemony and to add your resources to our own.
-Official transmission from James McKenna, Director-General of the Terran Hegemony, to Shiro Kurita, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, circa 2325

The eel rarely seeks the same prey as the goldfish. The eagle flies not with the pigeon. The tiger needs no friendship with the goat. Such as the paths of the Draconis Combine and the Terran Hegemony.
-Shiro Kurita's immediate response

The Draconis Combine should not have chosen a dragon for its symbol. Instead, it should have taken for its standard the image of an octopus, with its venomous tentacles reaching throughout the northeast quadrant, sucking the life from everything they touch.
-From Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Sphere Publications, 2821

The Kuritas are always mouthing about their honor. However, if you pay strict notice, they never attack a party that is their equal, they only strike against weaker opponents, knowing when they bear an unfair advantage. New Bergen served them right.
-From an anonymous anti-Kurita pamphlet distributed in the Principality of Rasalhague, circa 2340

During the 25th century Death and Destruction threatened the end of the Human race. The ten states of the Inner Sphere rediscovered the Arts of War anew, with ever-improving weapons. Only the Ares Conventions and its strict codes of battlefield honor saved man from himself. Yet, these same codes also fostered the use of war to resolve every disagreement. Not since the heigh of the almost-forgotten Terran Roman Empire had man fought so much for so little reason.
The invention and widespread use of a new multi-functional weapon system known as the BattleMech only added to this image. More importantly, it brought the zenith of war back from the most impersonal form of mass destruction to deliberate acts by individual combatants-sin-filled murderers, if you will. How ironic that we had come full circle. Once again, the greatest 'sport' in the universe consisted of gladiatorial games. This barbaric caricature of life, no matter how carefully concealed or rationalized, proved that we were even more base than animals.
-unpublished diary entry by ComStar Director Jerome Blake, as revealed to Conrad Toyama

If war is such hell, why does man enjoy it so much?
-Wisdom from the Universe, by Homer Kellogi, Explorer, Celestial Spheres Publications, 2821

Hordes of red dragons attack us from space
Threat'ning with missle and fireball
Killing our worlds, destroying our race
Gleefully watching our Skye fall!
-Steiner graffiti, circa 2410

There is always something to upset the most careful of human calculations.
-Ihara Saikahu, 1642-1693

It's not the people who are freely called 'bastards' that worry me; it's those few who are that make me very, very nervous. Never trust a genuine bastard. You don't know where he's been.
-attributed to Martin McAllister

Fear is our most powerful weapon-and a heavy regiment of BattleMechs is a very close second.
-attributed to Kozo Von Rohrs(?)

My great-grandson Blaine was very ill when he became Coordinator in March 2605. Though only 20 years old, he was already in the final stages of cardiac myasthenia gravis. Even with the most advanced life-support technology available, he finally succumbed to the illness in October of that year. This saddened me, for he was a beautiful child and I enjoyed his gentle company, which was such a sharp contrast to his demented father Leonard. That man almost brought down our honored House both through the shame brought on us by his debauchery and because of the trend toward decentralization of the government created by his total lack of political leadership. Blaine's rule was too brief to reverse either dangerous trend.
I could not stand by and watch the realm and the dynasty fall into ruin, and so I reclaimed the throne immediately after Blaine's death, becoming the Seventeenth Coordinator. The only reason I took over again was to examine very carefully all the potential candidates for Coordinator, in order to make the best possible selection. But I had forgotten how wonderful is the exhilaration associated with power, a feeling I had not known for half a century. I may have been on the high side of 100, but I could still rule.
The court nobles, however, were far from exhilarated to see me again in power, and so a number of them began meddling into my personal affairs. My ability to resist outside pressures was not as great as formerly, and soon I grew tired of the bickering. After two years, I decided to step down once and for all. At that time, I named my successor.
-From Lords I Have Seen, by Siriwan McAllister-Kurita, Carp of Truth Press, 2628

I don't care what other people say. Peace is an unhealthy and unnatural state. It clogs the mind with a pretty pink haze of flowers and waterfalls; it thickens our stomachs with fat; and makes us believe that we are all brothers under the skin. Peace? Why it's an absolutely deadly condition for a man, especially a warrior.
-From an address by Coordinator Takiro Kurita to the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy, March 2695

Now I know how the slaves felt building the pyramids of Egypt.
-Comment by a mason during the construction of Imperial City in Luthien, as quoted in "A Castle in a Jungle: Report on Building the New Capital on Luthien," by Raul Jahns, in Engineering Journal, February 2619

Common people who behave unbecomingly to members of the military class or who show want of respect to direct or indirect officials of my government will be cut down on the spot.
-From Coordinator Urizen's Kurita Mandate to the ISF, 2680

Death comes to all, and so one must not sit and brood about it. Seize the opportunity to wield your fate as though it were a sword and be glad that the world is suddenly different.
-Takiro Kurita, from a speech to a gathering of business leaders, given immediately after the death of Simon Cameron, 2751

An odd man, Takiro. Plenty of Kurita fire yet underneath it all, it almost seems that he'd be happier in a Buddhist monastery somewhere.
-Simon Cameron, as quoted in Simon Cameron: The Official Biography, ComStar Source Library

Is it villainy to take advantage of a situation? Better to keep silent and prepare for the inevitable than to speak and grow weak.
-Minoru Kurita, in his speech broadcast by State Holo Channel 5, in 2771

When news of Stefan Amaris's seizure of Terra and the execution of the Camerons reached Takiro Kurita, the Coordinator's immediate reaction was one of quiet acceptance. Personally, he felt that Stefan had made a terrible mistake, however. Killing the Cameron family would only bring more violence and would undoubtedly draw the wrath of General Kerensky on Amaris's head. Takiro also believed it woul have been shrewder for Amaris to have taken advantage of the young Lord's admiration and trust to get anything he wanted from the Star League.
-From Fall of an Empire, by Grenville DuSimpson, Tharkad Press, 3021

Walk in a forest during the day and the sunshine makes the trees seem like a friendly presence. You feel happy. But walk in the forest at night and the trees remind you of prison bars. Why? Because the sunlight is no longer there to illuminate all that seems good in our experience. We are left to face only the dark side of our own nature.
-From Koans For a Modern Age, by Jennifer Katsuyori, Gideon Press, 3000

Morning Silhouettes.
Warriors stand ready-tense.
By noon, pained silence.
-Haiku by Coordinator Minoru Kurita

Evening Stars prepare
to jump. Gray, sad warriors
leave for the unknown.
-Haiku written by Coordinator Minoru Kurita immediately after the exodus of the Regular Army, November 2784

If war is inevitable, then why wait for a formal declaration? Strike when you are ready. Pride heals far quicker for a victor.
-From The Fall of Red Autumn Leaves, by Minoru Kurita, 2794

The noonday suns burn
the dozing Dragon. He'll wake
when the suns must set.
-Battle haiku sent by Coordinator Minoru Kurita to all troops participating in the offensive against the Federated Suns

Mist-covered mountains
Move in and out of vision.
Real or just fog dreams?
-Haiku found upon the body of Minoru Kurita

Smoke rises from ruins.
Our 'Mechs destroy and spit death
at innocents. Shame.
-Haiku found on the body of a Kurita officer who committed suicide during the Kentares Massacre

To hell with their blasted haiku. All I'm concerned with is seeing them maimed, mutilated, and destroyed. I don't care if they write poetry. They're butchers plain and simple, and I don't give a rat's ass that we might be related.
-Abe Naganori, Captain in the Federated Suns Regular Armed Forces

Threats of fire spark courage.
Kurita warriors can't
retreat or be burned.
-Haiku orders from Coordinator Jinjiro, 2809

War gave the shy winds
the chance to sing within
the empty cities.
-Anonymous haiku scrawled on the wall of a government building on Tannil

Caution in the quiet
summer twilight. War is peace
when enemies rest.
-Popular haiku propaganda

Hey, as far as I'm concerned, those snakes could take a PPC cannon and ram it up their alimentary canals. They cheated us, starved us, then expected us to fight troops twice our size! They don't want mercenary units to fight for them. They want animated corpses who will follow their directions and walk into meat grinders.
-Captain Silvia Srec, commander of the mercenary Srec's Wrecks, commenting on their employment difficulties with the Draconis Combine, 2941

Why break the peace? Because the First War solved nothing. Our fate has yet to play itself out. Our destiny as rulers of the known universe is unfulfilled.
-From ComStar Interview #32 with Coordinator Jinjiro Kurita, April 2825

My simple demand.
Submit and I'll spare your worlds
from the Dragon's claw.
-Haiku sent by Coordinator Jinjiro Kurita to the rulers of the other four Successor Houses, late 2829

In the bright sunshine
one should fear small spiders. Death's
agents may not be big.
-Poem found among Roweena Kurita's personal effects

I know of no better way to end one's life than upon the upthrust bayonet of my enemy, for close behind would be my comrades, read to avenge my death. And before me would stretch Paradise. There I will feast on heavenly manna and sit in the presence of Him, the Most Wise.
-Coordinator Yoguchi Kurita addressing a group of Azami warriors, 2843

My brother was killed by a slut of a Steiner spy. I refuse to rest until I have struck and taken something infinitely dear to the Steiner family.
-Coordinator Miyogi Kurita, in his eulogy of Yoguchi Kurita, 2850

I don't care how worn out the troops are. I tell you that both our enemies are on the verge of collapse. They can be ours if we apply ourselves and call upon that superiority that makes us unique.
-Coordinator Miyogi Kurita, in response to a request from the High Command to slow the Marathon Offensive

After a long chase, some predators often ease up and pretend to be tired, hoping to convince their prey that it can escape. In that moment of exhaustion, the prey's concentration may lapse. Just at the moment, the predator puts on a sudden burst of speed and takes his victim totally by surprise.
-Coordinator Miyogi Kurita, in an address to the graduating class of the Sun Zhang Academy, 2866

I say the answer is obvious. When is a man most keenly aware of life, most sensitive to its fragility and beauty than when he is most likely to lose it? What? Lovemaking, I hear you say? Well, that is true, but those moments are few, fleeting, and require far more emotion than most men are willing to invest. No, war is a far better lover of men, her arms are always open.
-General Taragi Kurita, in a speech to the graduating class of the Sun Zhang Academy, 2866

Barren world. Stark green
hills and unkind snow. Death here
is a cold silence.
-Death haiku found on the body of a Kurita officer on Skye, 2893

It is time for even the bitterest of brothers to lay down their differences to face an enemy common to both.
-Coordinator Shinjiro Kurita in a message to the Internal Security Force, April 2919

The Dragon and Night Stalker
meet in twilight. Worlds shall
fear the results.
-Haiku by Clarissa Indrahar, in commemoration of the Davarapala Accords

I've found that being a Kurita was a major hindrance to my growth as a person. I look forward to anonymity as a member of ComStar.
-Necess Kurita, in a public announcement on her intention to join ComStar, Luthien Peoples' News Broadcast, 2931

The truly odd thing about the Steiner front is that we win worlds, but each victory seems to slow us down and make us weaker. It is almost as though the Steiner worlds were an inert poison; the more we eat, the more they fester in our belly.
-Warlord Takeda Kenshin, Commander of the Rasalhague Military District forces

It is time for a renewal of that fire that made the Draconis Combine the unquestioned power in the Inner Sphere. Too long we have labored under false ideas spread to us from other realms. They are the concepts thought up by worms in human form, whose minds are corrupted by the weakness of emotion. We warriors know of only one emotion-devotion to the state. Those who feel otherwise are not true members of the Draconis Combine. They are the spawn of inferiors, and would be better off dead than alive in their haze of lies.
-Coordinator Hohiro Kurita, in an address to the graduating class of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy, 2965

Dragons are renewed
with blood of lessers. Why must
the small pay the big?
-Protest Haiku written on the walls of Imperial City, 2978

It's not enough to run here and there to strike at the enemy. Guile and cunning are required tools of a warrior, too.
-General Takashi Kurita, commander of the Imperial Palace Guards, 3002

Like all men, I must face death one day. The circumstances surrounding my death won't matter to me, for I'll be on my way to heaven. It is only those who I leave behind who will discuss the matter.
-Coordinator Hohiro Kurita, 3002

I could never understand my father's harsh attitude toward the people. You would not give constant whippings to a horse you must ride every day. The beast would either throw you off or die. That's no way to treat a horse or a realm.
-Coordinator Takashi Kurita to Precentor Ambassador Isabel Sephran, 3005

I'm a firm believer that history, and perhaps Buddha himself, judges people not by their friends, but by their enemies.
-Coordinator Takashi Kurita, from a speech to the graduating class of the Sun Zhang MechWarriors Academy, 3014

Of all my enemies, and there are many, I see the most honor in Prince Hanse Davion. His is a mind capable of seeing the advantages to be won from disaster.
-Coordinator Takashi Kurita in an overheard conversation with Subhash Indrahar, 3019

Look, we may have pushed him back a bit in recent years, but don't you ever assume we've weakened him. He is the dragon on which his realm is based; scales for skin, flame for breath, leathery wings to fly, and all the more dangerous coiled like we have him now.
-Prince Davion to the Ambassador from the Lyran Commonwealth, 3025

Yes, there have been attempts on my life, but most leaders have to expect such things. For who can rule perfectly? With just a few words, I might instantly turn 20 million loyal subjects into enemies bent on seeing me dead. One rules as best he can, but learns to suspect every shadow, every blind corner.
-Archon Katrina Steiner in a Holo-interview, Tamar Broadcasting Company, 3024

The strongest sword
need never to be drawn
but only worn
-From Thoughts of Home, by J.R. Zimmer

all creatures raise heads
for the eagle, the beetle
is watched by the duck
-Traditional Kurita Haiku

The currents of fashion pass
over unmapped shoals
stay above or tear apart
-From Thoughts of Home, by J.R. Zimmer

Getting something from the Kurita bureaucracy makes building a JumpShip in your backyard look easy.
-Ambassador Daphine Kresge, "Visiting the Dragon's Lair", Interstellar Affairs Quarterly, Fourth Quarter, 3018

The strength of the Dragon is in its people. They are the Dragon, and the Dragon is for them.
-From Thoughts of the Ruler, by Hugai Kurita, Luthien Press, 2951

The essence of religion is faith, a belief strictly independent of intellectual comprehension. Your religion, then, provides a complete ideological apparatus that is devoid of content. The content must come from elsewhere, from the reality of man's interaction with the material universe. And because the state is the means mankind uses to mediate this interaction, the content of religion in every era must reflect the ideological requirements of the state that rules in that era, and of the leading class that controls that state.
-Abbot Aloysius Maruyama, 0.5.P., in Analects and Commentaries of the Fifth Era, Sacred writings of the Order of the Five Pillars, New Samarkands, 2817

Why, then, ivory, as the substance of the Pillar that signifies the thought and conduct of the Kuritan people?
Of the Five Pillars, only Ivory and Teak represent living materials, and only Ivory comes from sentient beings like ourselves. Starting in earliest youth, the animal's tusks continue to grow during the whole of its existence; the tusk is built up in layers, the innermost layer being the last produced, while the outermost eventually becomes a hard and impervious protection. In like manner, the Pillar of the people's consciousness continues to grow with the expansion of House Kurita. As in the layered tusk, each stratum of society is assigned the mode of faith and conduct most suited to its position. As with the protective outer bark of the tusk, all is kept safe by the strength of character of the First Lord and the diligence of the Keeper of the House Honor.
-Constance Kurita, Keeper of the House Honor, in Commentaries, Office of Educational Materials, Order of the Five Pillars, Luthien, 3007

Patience is a needed Art for vendetta. Haste makes the crop go sour. Vengeance, like fruits of the vine, requires time to sweeten.
-Kevin McAbayashi, in Assassin's Handbook, Office of Reference Materials, Order of the Five Pillars, Luthien, 2887

Might makes Kurita
Pillar of Dragon steel
Victory over all!
-Traditional Kurita haiku

For a house that will endure
one thousand years
carve its beams from honor
-Haiku by Siriwan McAllister Kurita, 2579

Always preserve the dragon and its magic will keep you strong.
-Sayings of Shiro Kurita, Imperial Press, 2339

Destiny is duty.
-Further Sayings of Shiro Kurita, Imperial Press, Luthien

The purpose of education is to develop in children's minds morality and patriotism, to inspire unshakable love toward their homeland, to inspire vigilance, strength, will power, character, and courage; to develop self-discipline and to encourage physical and aesthetic culture for the greater glory of all.
-From a speech by the Minister of General Indoctrination at the graduation ceremony of Pesht University, 3021

cool jade in the hand
is of value to the soul
also worth some cash
-From The Haiku of Chairman Robert Forbes Otaku, Kurita Business Press, 3001

the dog and rat bring gold
from the house of your enemies
if you fill their dish
-From Haiku of the People, compiled by Josh Wells, Dragon Speaks Pamphlets Press, Hachiman, 2909

The Strength of the Dragon is its people.
-Malcom Ford

Great leaders tell the tale best
Study carefully
For their strengths point to the rest
-Choda, Wisdom For The Moment