Genghis Khan was born on c. 1155 by the name of Temüjin, in Khentii Mountains, Khamag Mongol. Khan founded the first Great Khan (Emperor) of the Mongol Empire, and this empire became the largest contiguous empire in history after he died. In this article, we bring you the best Genghis Khan quotes that were recorded in history.
Khan gained a lot of power and was proclaimed the universal ruler of the Mongols, or Genghis Khan. He was responsible for many Mongol invasions, and at the end conquered most of Eurasia, reaching all the way to Poland and even Egypt.
Khan and his empire were very fearsome. It is said that approximately 4 million civilians had died during his military campaigns. Others claim that the death toll was as high as 40-60 million people.
Under Kahn’s rule, the Mongol Empire’s writing system was established by basing itself on the Uyghur script. Khan also practiced religious tolerance and meritocracy. Thanks to him, the Silk Road became a single and cohesive political environment. This resulted in easy trade and communication between Christian Europe, Northeast Asia, and Muslim Southwest Asia. These 3 areas saw a significant cultural expansion thanks to Khan’s policy.
Genghis Khan died in August 1227, during the fall of Yinchuan, the capital of Western Xia. The exact cause of his death is not known, and there are different versions and stories describing his death. Some claim that he died in action during the war against the Western Xia, other say that the causes of his death were illness, falling from his horse, or wounds that he sustained during battle or hunting.
Here is a sneak peek at the quotes in this article:
Genghis Khan Quotes
I am the punishment of God… If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.
If you’re afraid, don’t do it. If you’re doing it, don’t be afraid!
One arrow alone can be easily broken, but many arrows are indestructible.
An action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.
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.
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.
Even when a friend does something you do not like, he continues to be your friend.
There is no good in anything until it is finished.
It is not sufficient that I succeed – all others must fail.
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.
A man’s greatest joy is crushing his enemies.
Conquering the world on horseback is easy; it is dismounting and governing that is hard.
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.
All who surrender will be spared; whoever does not surrender but opposes with struggle and dissension, shall be annihilated.
A leader can never be happy until his people are happy.
Come and sip from the cup of destruction.
Remember, you have no companions but your shadow.
If you insult the mother who gave you your life from her heart, if you cause her love for you to freeze up, even if you apologize to her later, the damage is done.
The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it.
Violence never settles anything.
Be of one mind and one faith, that you may conquer your enemies and lead long and happy lives.
How can one withdraw? Even if we die, let us challenge their boasts. Eternal Heaven, you be the judge!
People conquered on different sides of the lake should be ruled on different sides of the lake.
Not even a mighty warrior can break 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.
It will be easy to forget your vision and purpose once you have fine clothes, fast horses and beautiful women.
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.
Make up your camps far apart and each of you rule your own kingdom.
Mother Earth is broad and her rivers and waters are numerous.
Every man has his use, even if only to gather dried cow dung in the Gobi for fuel.
I leave you the greatest empire in the world, but your preserving it depends upon your remaining always united. If discord steals in among you all will most assuredly be lost.
Without the vision of a goal, a man cannot manage his own life, much less the lives of others.
In the space of seven years I have succeeded in accomplishing a great work and uniting the whole world in one Empire.
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.
Despite all expectations, the time of my last campaign and of my passing is near.
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.
If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.
Perhaps my children will live in stone houses and walled towns – Not I.
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.
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.
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.
Find your chill.
I will rule them by fixed laws so that rest and happiness shall prevail in the world.
Heaven has appointed me to rule all the nations, for hitherto there has been no order upon the steppes.
One of the joys of travel is visiting new towns and meeting new people.
Interesting Facts about Genghis Khan
Here are some interesting facts about Genghis Khan that may surprise you. Enjoy.
- Rough Childhood – Ever since he was a child, Khan faced brutality, as his father was poisoned by rivals when he was only 9 years old, and his family was later expelled from their own tribe. Suffering from a rough childhood, Khan had to hunt and forage in order to survive, and it is said that he may have even killed his half-brother when he was a teenager fighting and arguing over food. But, that’s not all. Later on, he and his young wife were abducted by rival clans and Khan was a slave until he was able to escape. In his early 20s, he started gathering supporters, establishing himself as both a warrior and a leader, and the great Genghis Khan was slowly coming to life.
- No One Really Knows How He Looked Like – It may sound amazing and even strange, but there are not many evidence to Khan’s physical appearance or personal life. Sculptures and portraits of him did not survive over the course of history, and the information gathered by historians about Khan is not always reliable. Many describe Khan to have been strong and tall, having long, bushy beard and flowing hair. There are even claims that Khan had green eyes and red hair.
- Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer – We all know this phrase, right? Well, what you probably don’t know, is that some of Khan’s most trusted generals were once his enemies. Khan used to promote officers according to their experience and skill, as should be in a strong organization and army. And so, during the 1201 battle against the Taijut tribe, Khan’s horse was killed with an arrow shot underneath it, where Khan nearly found his death. Khan demanded to know who was responsible when he asked the taken prisoners, and the brave solider who admitted that he was the one who killed the horse and nearly killed Khan as well was made by Khan to be an officer in Khan’s army. This officer was later nicknamed “Jebe”, which means arrow.
- Khan Was Tolerant to Different Religions – Khan conquered large territories during his days, but he was tolerant to the different religions. He allowed religious freedom and places of worship were even free of tax pay. With that said, let’s just say that Khan did not allow all this from the goodness of his heart, as he knew that if the people were happy and calm, the likelihood of them to rebel was slim. On the other hand, it is said that the Mongols were very liberal when it came to religion, and as for Khan himself – he was very into spirituality, praying in his tent prior to serious battles and campaigns.
- No One Really Knows How Khan Died or Where He’s Buried – As stated earlier in the article, the common narrative says that Khan found his death in 1227. However, the cause of his death is unknown and speculations run from falling off his horse to illness. There is even a claim that Khan was murdered when he tried to force himself on a Chinese princess. Legend says that his funeral procession murdered eveyr witness they encountered on their way to the burial site. The grave was then hidden forever as they rode horses over its location to even the ground. The tomb’s probable location is on or next to Burkhan Khaldun, a Mongolian mountain. Nevertheless, the exact location of Khan’s final resting stop is still unknown.
For memorable quotes from other famous people, please visit our articles on John Wayne quotes and Sylvia Plath quotes.