Tamora Pierce Quotes & Sayings

What has that to do with the price of peas in Persopolis? — Tamora Pierce

Do you know, sire, I think that if we live to tell our grandchildren about this war, they will accuse us of making it up.'
-Marielle — Tamora Pierce

I said I fell down.
Ah. The ground bloodied your nose, split yer lip, and punched ye in th' eye, all at once.
I said I don't want to talk about it. — Tamora Pierce

Ozorne, my precious, where are you?
- Rikash Moonsword — Tamora Pierce

I swear the sparrows called us ten kinds of idiot when we did it. — Tamora Pierce

You have an audience that is fairly well grounded in the real world. You serve them and yourself best by making everything as real as possible. — Tamora Pierce

All things change," she told Alanna frankly. "It does not hurt men to know women have power, too." Alanna — Tamora Pierce

I wish we had a sign that this flaming dragon is part of an attack or something. Those dung heaps might think it's just one of their own monsters enjoying the sunrise. — Tamora Pierce

We are what we're made to be. — Tamora Pierce

When I told you don't touch me to wake me, ever, because I've been in a war and I react violently, you respected me." For a plant person, Rosethorn could sound like iron when she made a point with someone stupid. "Evvy was in that same war. She fought as hard as any adult - harder, sometimes. Yet you refuse to acknowledge that she may suffer the same effects. — Tamora Pierce

The Chamber is only a room, though a magical one, and you will enter it when the time comes. Duke Roger is only a man, for all he wields sorcery. He can be met and defeated. But you, my daughter - learn to love. You have been given a hard road to walk. Love will ease it. Much depends on you, Alanna of Trebond. Do not fail me! - The Goddess — Tamora Pierce

We've got to protect Jonathan and Darkness, don't we?" She swung herself onto Moonlight's back. "Let's go, girl." As one of the last fighters to the point, Alanna could clearly see that the enemy had advanced past the trees, engaging Jon's men in the clearing around the main path. She glimpsed Jonathan's silver and sapphire gleaming in the thick of the battle as Darkness reared to fight as well. Myles was beside the prince, with Gary and Raoul flanking them both. The enemy would have trouble — Tamora Pierce

Sarra looked at her daughter and said reproachfully, "Speaking of war, I never raised you to be always fighting and killing. That's not woman's work."
"It's needful, Ma. You taught me a woman has to know how to defend herself."
"I never!" gasped Sarra, indignant.
"You taught me when you were murdered in your own house," Daine said quietly. — Tamora Pierce

So were you always mad, or did it come on you when you was took?"
Aly smiled. "I'm told it runs in the family. — Tamora Pierce

Sweetheart, never listen to what my enemies say. They're very confused people. I know they are because I've spent years making them that way. — Tamora Pierce

Seniors get to do all the jolly things," Owen complained as they walked to archery practice that first day.
Neal glared at the chubby second-year with all the royal disdain of a vexed lion. He was limping from a staff blow to the knee. "You are a bloody minded-savage," he informed Owen sternly. "I hope you are kidnapped by centaurs. — Tamora Pierce

Alanna: All I know is that I'm to jump when I'm told and I have no free time. — Tamora Pierce

Do we say, Oh now I'm going to be nice to the weak and the small? Or do we do as we learned when we were pages? — Tamora Pierce

Inside I am a beautiful woman,' Okha said ... 'The Trickster tapped me in my mother's womb and placed me in this man's shell. — Tamora Pierce

I'm to attend balls and banquets without my squire?" demanded Raoul, all innocence. "I can't handle things like requesting water to shave with, or getting my clothes pressed. I need Kel. — Tamora Pierce

Knowing to whom she owed the new warmth, Alanna tried to thank Mari Fahrar. The old woman brushed her words aside. "All things change," she told Alanna frankly. "It does not hurt men to know women have power, too." Alanna had to laugh. Until Mari and Farda entered her life, she never realized that the tribeswomen viewed their men not with fear but with loving disrespect. Sometimes she felt that she was the one getting the education, not her pupils. — Tamora Pierce

Don't you ever get tired of asking questions?'
'Never. They're mother's milk to me. — Tamora Pierce

Haven't you ever noticed that people who win say it's because the gods know they are in the right, but if they lose, it wasn't the gods who declared them wrong? Their opponent cheated, or their equipment was bad. — Tamora Pierce

Don't worry. We'll farm, soon's he finishes wi' that new-style Scanran fertilizer. — Tamora Pierce

I wish he wouldn't do this when he's on me. It's really very upsetting. — Tamora Pierce

Threats are the last resort of a man with no vocabulary. — Tamora Pierce

What happens to each of my female heroes, certainly, is they find something bigger than themselves that they are honored to serve. It's not giving up your family. — Tamora Pierce

Your life might be easier if you were. A fool for love is happier than a Dog with a heart that's all leather. — Tamora Pierce

Now to find Tristan, if he survived the excitement. I hope he did. I have some things to say to him, and none of them are 'Goddess bless'.
-Numair Salmalin — Tamora Pierce

Moral issues rarely have yes or no answers.
-Myles to Alanna when she asks about the Gift — Tamora Pierce

I love you," he whispered. "If you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you. — Tamora Pierce

He was overconfident", she told him. "And I won so the gods must have thought I was right. Otherwise they'd have made me lose. You know how trial by combat works."
"You won because you were good" he corrected her. "I find it hard to believe the gods sit forever about the Divine Realms betting on jousts and trials by combat. — Tamora Pierce

That night, the Raka conspirators had plenty of news to report, particularly Ochobu. Aly had not known that the mages of the Chain had been laboring to eliminate any mages who had worked magic on the Crown's behalf. So far they had killed seven of the most powerful.

Chelaol would call this count of the dead another 'good start,' Aly thought grimly. This crude business of counting up lives taken struck her as a bad idea. It took the horror from death. When Ochobu named four mages on Lombyn who had had been killed in the streets of their towns, it had been about numbers, not lives.

Maybe this is how you become a Rittevon, she thought. You get used to the dead being described as numbers, not fathers or daughters or grandparents.

She turned to Dove when Ochobu finished, 'don't ever be like this,' she urged. 'don't think that it doesn't matter if you only hear of murder as a number. If you keep it at a distance. — Tamora Pierce

A library is a gateway to others' minds, hearts, and lives. — Tamora Pierce

A cat understands how to be pleasant in the morning. He doesn't talk. — Tamora Pierce

It occurred to Keth for the first time that perhaps magic wasn't simply a matter of fires, lightning, and power in the air, if spoken words could also create such a transformation. — Tamora Pierce

Corus lay on the southern bank of the Oloron River, towers glinting in the sun. The homes of wealthy men lined the river to the north; tanners, smiths, wainwrights, carpenters, and the poor clustered on the bank to the south. The city was a richly colored tapestry: the Great Gate on Kings-bridge, the maze of the Lower City, the marketplace, the tall houses in the Merchants' and the Gentry's quarters, the gardens of the Temple district, the palace. This last was the city's crown and southern border. Beyond it, the royal forest stretched for leagues. It was not as lovely as Berat nor as colorful as Udayapur, but it was Alanna's place. — Tamora Pierce

I'm not so fond of people myself, Evvy, but I took my vows for a reason. There are two classes of people in the world, the destroyers and the builders. I want to build, not destroy. You need to ask yourself who you're going to be. — Tamora Pierce

Wouldn't
" Kel began to say, but the words stuck in her mouth. She swallowed and tried again. "Wouldn't it be well, not nice to flirt with somebody you don't want to fall in love with? — Tamora Pierce

Face it," Gary told her kindly. "You'll never catch up. You just do as much as you can and take the punishments without saying anything. Sometimes I wonder if that isn't what they're really trying to teach us
to take plenty and keep our mouths shut. — Tamora Pierce

If thanks was what I wanted," Sandry replied in the same language, "I would be sad indeed. Since I don't want it, I won't miss it. — Tamora Pierce

You're an obnoxious canker-blossom. Go ooze somewhere else. — Tamora Pierce

You get too excited over big flashes, Tunstall. Mages rely on that to make you think they have more power than you. — Tamora Pierce

Curiosity killed the cat," Fesgao remarked, his dark eyes unreadable.
Aly rolled her eyes. Why did everyone say that to her? "People always forget the rest of the saying," she complained. "'And satisfaction brought it back. — Tamora Pierce

It isn't just children who need heros. — Tamora Pierce

You don't think history gets rewritten, sometimes? — Tamora Pierce

Men don't think and differently from women - they just make more noise about being able to. — Tamora Pierce

I was nuts for stuff in the Middle Ages when I was just in the third and fourth grades. — Tamora Pierce

Books are still the main yardstick by which I measure true wealth. — Tamora Pierce

Sadly for my wedding plans, I learned that Nestor is a bardash. I envy the men who enjoy his favors. He has always treated me with friendship which I now value more than my old romantic feelings. — Tamora Pierce

It was time to work on his trees, to brew medicines and weed the rooftop plants before he forgot who he really was in all this running around. (Briar) — Tamora Pierce

Does your ma know you're this silly?" she demanded tartly.
He nodded, comically sad. "The few gray hairs she has on her head are my doing. But" - with an exaggerated change of mood - "I send her plenty of money, so she can pay to have them dyed!"
"I hope she beat you as a child," Onua grumbled. — Tamora Pierce

Sandry: "I am silly, now and then. My mother said I was, anyway."
Daja: "If you know, you can stop it."
Sandry: "Then you've never been silly or you'd know it just creeps up without any warning. — Tamora Pierce

Have I mentioned that I hate it when you're right?", she asked instead.
Alanna shook her head. "No, I don't believe you have. As far as I could tell, you never thought I was right. — Tamora Pierce

When people say a knight's job is all glory, I laugh and laugh and laugh. Often I can stop laughing before they edge away and talk about soothing drinks. — Tamora Pierce

Why do you look like cheese, Beka?" Nestor asked me quietly. "We've got help."
I was too flummoxed to tell him I hadn't expected help to come so fast. Miracles aren't for the likes of me, didn't Nestor know that? Only the nobility gets them. — Tamora Pierce

Girl, boy or dancing bear, you're the finest page-the finest squire-to-be-at court. (Jon to Alanna) — Tamora Pierce

There is a saying in the Islands. Beware the women of the warrior class, for all they touch is both decorative and deadly.-Yuki — Tamora Pierce

This may be my only chance to see humans before these two are made into fertilizer for Moonwind's rosebushes. — Tamora Pierce

Not one word," Kel warned. "Tobe and I have reached an understanding."
Neal's lips twitched. "Why do I feel you did most of the understanding. — Tamora Pierce

There is power and there is power, my dear. My power can be vast, in the right places. — Tamora Pierce

These mages," Kol asked, a wicked glint in his eye, "what kind of fees will they charge? Will I get a two-for-one discount, since they're twins? — Tamora Pierce

You turned into a hero when I wasn't watching. — Tamora Pierce

A noble maiden must convey dignity and chastity without appearing to think about either one. Let common-born girls tussle in the hay with their loutish swains. The future of your family's bloodline and your future lord's bloodline should be your greatest concern. Let no man but one of your family embrace you. Let no man but your betrothed kiss any more than your fingertips; let your betrothed kiss you only on fingers, cheek, or forehead, lest he think you unchaste. And never allow yourself to be alone with a man, to safeguard the precious jewel of you reputation. No well-born maiden ever suffered from keeping her suitors at arm's length. Your chastity will make you a prize to you future husband's house and an honor to your own."
- form Advice to a Young Noblewoman, by Lady Fronia of Whitehall (in Maren) given to Ally on her twelfth birthday by her godmother, Queen Thayet — Tamora Pierce

Cats aren't special advisers. They advise us all the time, whether we want them to or no. — Tamora Pierce

If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a good lie and getting caught. — Tamora Pierce

The bravest person I know is afraid of the dark. She sleeps with a night lamp always, but if her friends are threatened? She suddenly thinks she's a bear twelve feet tall and attacks whoever scared her friends. — Tamora Pierce

The first thing every mage should learn is that magic makes fools of us. Now you may call yourself a mage. You have learned the most important lesson. — Tamora Pierce

Thus went my first Court Day.
I think i'm going to puke. — Tamora Pierce

And if they don't believe us, I can give them the ghost eyes, you can go all big and threatening, Farmer can do his cracknob simpleton, and my lady can don her nobleness. We'll do all right. — Tamora Pierce

Don't let him upset you," Niko told the four softly. "He's old and he's frightened."
"You're as old as him, and you aren't scared of us," Briar pointed out.
Niko glared at him. "Thank you so much," he retorted waspishly. — Tamora Pierce

As I recall, this word's use means somewhere there is a tree that is now a - a two-legger.
-Numair Salmalin — Tamora Pierce

Well, label me very impressed and ship me to Carthak! — Tamora Pierce

You aren't a bit romantic, are you?" he asked, amused.
She sat back and stared at him. She was beginning to think that Neal required a keeper. He seemed to have the craziest ideas. "Romance? Isn't that love stuff?" She asked finally.
"It's more than just love. It's color, and-and fire. You don't want things magnificent and filled with-with grandeur," he said, trying to make her understand. "You know, drama. Importance. Transcendent Passion."
"I just want to be a knight," Kel retorted, putting her used tableware on her tray. "Eat your vegetables. They're good for you. — Tamora Pierce

Tortall and the Queens Riders! — Tamora Pierce

As long as there's life, there's hope. — Tamora Pierce

Never express anger with a friend or a subordinate in public," Vedris always said. "They might forgive a private expression of anger or a deserved scolding, but they never forget a public humiliation. It is the surest way to destroy a friendship and to create enemies. — Tamora Pierce

I'm about to commence four years of obeying the cause of a bruiser on a horse. I refuse to put down what might be the last book I see for months. — Tamora Pierce

Shouldn't you know what love's like, before you begin renouncin' it
George Cooper — Tamora Pierce

You do not take your place in your father's tent, letting men make your decisions. You ride as a man, you fight as a man, and you think as a man - " "I think as a human being," she retorted hotly. "Men don't think any differently from women - they just make more noise about being able to." As — Tamora Pierce

And now you're off to Port Caynn. Watch them sailor lads. They'll have your skirts up and a babe in your belly afore you know what you're about."
"Everyone keep warning me about sailors," I complained. "Why can't someone tell the sailors to stay clear of me?"
Granny snorted. "Oh, you're the fierce one now! Just take care no one else catches you unawares and knocks you on the nob! — Tamora Pierce

The Lower City is MINE, Its People are MINE.
If I Find Them That's Doing All This Kidnapping
And Murdering, They'd Best Pray For Mercy,
Because Once I Get My Teeth In 'Em
I Will NEVER Let Them Go. — Tamora Pierce

Lark: "You shouldn't yell at her."
Frostpine: "Of course I should. Gods bless us all, Lark, but our Water dedicates would try the patience of a stone."
- Dedicates Lark and Frostpine when the latter found out that the Water Temple had run out of warded boxes — Tamora Pierce

I'm sorry," she said humbly. "I haven't wanted to lie to you."
"I should hope so. You're the worst liar I've ever met." He thought about it for a moment, then added, "
or the best. Now I'm all confused. — Tamora Pierce

I wouldn't call it tamed, laddy-me-love. The lady of Pirate's Swoop shouldn't be tame. — Tamora Pierce

He's got courage," Alex said.
"Courage!" Raoul bellowed. "That coward almost kills him and-- — Tamora Pierce

Yes Headwoman Azaze. But I never lie to Rosethorn. She, um, discourages it."
"Evvy and I have an understanding." She grabbed the teakettle and poured hot water into the mug. "She tells me the truth, and I don't hang her in the first well we come to. It's a solution that works tolerably well for both of us. — Tamora Pierce

Rosto cupped laddybuck in one hand and grabed the back of my neck with the other pulling me in and kissing me right on the mouth. i should have punched him but his lips were soft and sweet. i will punch him next time.
-beka after she realizes that rosto the piper is the new rouge — Tamora Pierce

Don't we teach our women to view all men according to the actions of a few? — Tamora Pierce

-ask you to keep an eye on her, keep her safe, and you allow my child to be used in that!"
"Flatten your fur, Weiryn," replied the badger. "What makes you think I had a choice?"
"The Great Ones can find another instrument! Why didn't you tell them so?"
"I did tell them, you horn-headed idiot. They didn't listen. She didn't listen. If you have a complaint, you take it up with the Graveyard Hag. — Tamora Pierce

My husband and I click wedding rings sometimes and say, 'By the power of the Castle of Greyskull!' — Tamora Pierce

I want to marry her, when I grow up to be a man. — Tamora Pierce

A girl nearby muttered,"If that's a lady, I'm a cat."
Reaching out, Sandry lifted the pitcher of milk from the table. Cradling it in both hands, she walked over to the mutterer.
I am Sandrilene fa Toren, daughter of Count Mattin fer Toren and his countess, Amiliane fa Landreg. I am the great-niece of his grace, Duke Vedris of this realm of Emelan, and cousin of her Imperial Highness, Empress Berenene of the Namorn Empire. You are Esmelle ei Pragin, daughter of Baron Witten en Pragin and his lady Colledia of House Wheelwright, a merchant house. If I tell you my friend is a lady, then you"- carefully she poured milk into Esmelle's plate-"you had best start lapping, kitty."
She set the pitcher down and returned to her chair. — Tamora Pierce

Scrying the wind is very difficult, Tris," Niko said gently. "It's like scrying the future. You're assailed with thousands of images - fragments, really. It drives many who try it insane." "You learned to scry the future," Tris pointed out. "And a number of people have informed me they think I am mad," Niko replied, his voice very dry. — Tamora Pierce

You've been nipping at cook's wine!! — Tamora Pierce

Free time is an illusion. It's what you get when you die and the gods reward you for a life spent working from dawn until midnight. — Tamora Pierce

Not too fast," called Raoul. "Let's not scare anyone."
"His majesty said with all deliberate speed!" chirped the courier. He flinched under Lerant's glare.
"That's how we're doing it," Raoul told him. "Deliberately. — Tamora Pierce

You fed it.' The badger sighed. 'Sometimes I think you'll feed anything. — Tamora Pierce

Men died as she watched, and they didn't care about what they had fought for. — Tamora Pierce

Tris: "I was reading."
Sandry: "You're always reading. The only way people can ever talk to you is to interrupt."
Tris: "Then maybe they shouldn't talk to me. — Tamora Pierce