Genghis Khan (1965)

James Mason: Kam Ling

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Quotes 

• Kam Ling : The man who lets personal revenge take precedence over the tasks before him will never complete those tasks, and he will lose all that he has gained.

• Kam Ling : How long do you intend to hold me prisoner?

  Genghis Khan : Not prisoner. As your late emperor said when plotting my murder, you are here as a friend!

  Kam Ling : In that case, I can only ask that my death be a swift one.

  Genghis Khan : We will not speak of dying, friend. Only a fool destroys a wise man. You will sit at my right hand and you will counsel me. And I will listen to your words. And if your words be wise, they will make me wise too!

  Kam Ling : I will accept this honorable appointment, because I am happy to serve a lord whose star grows brighter while the sun of China fades. In addition, I suspect I will find work more agreeable than death!

• Genghis Khan : They are all small men. Why are there no men of stature, no men of imagination?

  Kam Ling : It is not easy to match a true conqueror. Perhaps once in many centuries does the world produce a man with the power and the will equal to his vision and destiny. Perhaps Temujin, Genghis Khan, is such a man.

• Kam Ling : I come with a message from my master, the great Genghis Khan.

• Temujin, later Genghis Khan : It seems you travel without much luck.

  Kam Ling : First our Manchurian guard deserted us, then the wheel of our cart broke. Then our driver stole our horses, and the cattle, tiring of our company, followed after them. One might say that the winds of fortune are blowing somewhat coldly.

• Kam Ling : Glass. Simply reflecting the sun's rays. But it can carry messages further and faster than the swiftest horseman. A childish device, but not without usefulness. Please receive it as an unworthy gift. One drawback, however, I should point out. For reasons which will soon become apparent, it's best not to let such devices fall into the hands of a woman.

• Kam Ling : [reading a proclamation]  "In celebration of the Lord Temujin's great victories over the Manchurian rebel invaders, it is our will that from this day on, he will be called the Prince of Conquerors, the Genghis Khan!"

• Kam Ling : I suspect I will find the work more agreeable than death.