Quotes

This page is a collection of quotes from books that I enjoyed.  I’m sure that a lot of these will have more significance to me than to many other people.  But I think that a good quote is always something that should be easy to find.

“The only use for military service is that it reveals the number of morons in the population, and that can be discovered in the first two weeks; there’s no need for two years.  Army, Marriage, the Church, and Banking: the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  Yes, go on, laugh.” – Fermin Romero de Torres from The Shadow of the Wind

“We are always more afraid than we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expect.”  – Sorilea to Egwene from Lord of Chaos, book 6 of the Wheel of Time

“The life of a person is more than the chaos of it’s passing.” – Vin from The Hero of Ages (book 3 of the Mistborn Trilogy)

“Call a jack a jack.  Call a spade a spade.  But always call a whore a lady.  Their lives are hard enough, and it never hurts to be polite.” – Kvothe’s Father from The Name of the Wind

“Ender isn’t a killer.  He just wins–thoroughly.” – a Colonel from Ender’s Game.

“Humankind almost never forgives true greatness.” – Dom Cristao from Speaker for the Dead

“It seemed to me, that any civilization that had so far lost its head as to need to include a set of detailed instructions for use in a package of toothpicks, was no longer a civilization in which I could live and stay sane.” – Wonko the Sane from So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish

“Life, is like a grapefruit.” “Er, how so?” “Well, it’s sort of orangy-yellow and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle.  It’s got pips inside, too.  Oh, and some people have half a one for breakfast.” – Ford Prefect talking to an alien in So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish

“Normally, the more talent one has, the more one doubts it, and vice versa.” – David Martin from The Angel’s Game

“Changing the world is good for those who want their names in books.  But being happy, that is for those who write their names in the lives of others, and hold the hearts of others as the treasure most dear.” – Children of the Mind

“After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Dumbeldore – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“Those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.” Dumbledore – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“It Means Skull Crushing Battle Hand of Fury in his language.  We call him Skippy.  Saves on time that way.” – Harbinger introducing Skippy to Owen – Monster Hunter International

“I’ve thought myself out of happiness one million times, but never once into it.” – from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

“That was the sort of grief I can handle.  Sadly enough, it’s the kind I’ve been on the inside of, because even saying goodbye isn’t enough.  There’s always one more thing you should have had the time to say, or do, or ask.  There’s always going to be that one missing piece.” – Shaun Mason from Deadline

“When we are born, we cry, that we come to this great stage of fools.” – King Lear from Fool

“That’s the funny thing about arriving somewhere Vin.  Once you’re there, the only thing you can really do is leave again.” – Kelsier – Mistborn: The Final Empire

“Women?  Women are like… thunderstorms.  They’re beautiful to look at, and sometimes they’re nice to listen to–but most of the time they’re just plain inconvenient.” – Elend – Mistborn: The Final Empire

“Belief isn’t simply a thing for fair times and bright days, I think.  What is belief–what is faith– if you don’t continue in it after failure?” – Sazed – Mistborn: The Final Empire

“I must not fear.  Fear is the mind-killer.  Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.  I will face my fear.  I will permit it to pass over me and through me.  And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.  Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.  Only I will remain.” – Bene Gesserit Litany against Fear from Dune

“Death is not a tragedy to the one who dies.” – Sister Carlotta from Shadow of the Hegemon

“It’s a failing I have.  I’ve looked at the world for quite a few years now and I’ve found that if I don’t laugh, I’ll probably end up crying.” – Silk from Demon Lord of Karanda

“Ah, come on, you know that real loneliness is having no one to miss.  Think yourself lucky you’ve known something worth missing.” – Hood

“I have to sit, quiet, say nothing, and… and what?  What is it you are going to do Werner????  Nothing, just hope.  Maybe my tongue will be guided?  Yes, what other hope is there, only that my tongue will be silent so my heart can speak.” – Moishe from The Willow Tree