Alexander Villard Quotes in By the Sword (1991)

Fencing Student: You never taught me that!

Alexander Villard: You can't teach surprise.

Alexander Villard: Don't finish the windows. I don't like seeing outside any more.

Alexander Villard: Do you ever get the feeling that you were born in the wrong age?

Max Suba: No. I appreciate modern plumbing.

Alexander Villard: You don't like me much, do you?

Max Suba: I think you are the greatest fencer that I've ever seen.

Alexander Villard: Ah. You don't like me at all.

Max Suba: Like father, like son.

Alexander Villard: I won two of each.

Max Suba: Twice the man he was.

Alexander Villard: There is no good. There is only best.

Alexander Villard: Your blade is neither in quarte nor in sixte, and your hand is in some vague no man's land around your navel, which leaves you completely vulnerable on both sides. Now, if by sheer coincidence you happen to engage the blade in one line, you will most certainly

[malparry/touche, malparry/touche, malparry/touche]

Alexander Villard: miss it in another.

Alexander Villard: Learn to probe for your opponent's weakness, uncover it, and once you have found it? Pop! strike.

Max Suba: Make yourself aware of your own weaknesses, as well as those of your opponents. The good ones try to cover theirs up. The great ones use theirs. Use your weakness.