Kaladin Quotes & Sayings

Humans don't make sense."
"If you're only now learning that," Kaladin said, "then you haven't been paying attention. — Brandon Sanderson

Perhaps I am an insensitive rich woman. That doesn't change the fact that you can be downright mean and offensive, Kaladin Stormblessed. — Brandon Sanderson

Amaram and Sadeas. Two men in Kaladin's life who would, at some point, need to pay for the things they'd done. — Brandon Sanderson

Storms, woman," [Kaladin] said. "I don't know what to make of you."
"Preferably not a corpse."
"I'm surprised someone hasn't already done that. — Brandon Sanderson

That smile forced back the gloom, made the aches and soreness fade. Kaladin's father had described that kind of smile. Those smiles weren't why Lirin had become a surgeon, but they were why he'd remained one. — Brandon Sanderson

Some people - like a festering finger or a leg shattered beyond repair - just needed to be removed. — Brandon Sanderson

Don't hedge bets with your life, Kaladin, Durk had always said. Don't put in a chip when you have a pocket full of marks. Bet them all or leave the table. — Brandon Sanderson

I'd rather walk these chasms with a compulsive murderer than you. At least then, when the conversation got tedious, I'd have an easy way out."
"And your feet stink," [Shallan] said. "See? Too early. I can't possibly be witty at this hour. So no arguments." She hesitated, then continued more softly. "Besides, no murderer would agree to accompany you. Everyone needs to have some standards, after all. — Brandon Sanderson

We actually killed the thing."
"Sad, I know," she said, feeling depressed. "It was beautiful."
"It would be more beautiful if it hadn't tried to eat me."
"From my perspective," Shallan noted, "it didn't try, it succeeded."
"Nonsense," Kaladin said. "It didn't manage to swallow me. Doesn't count. — Brandon Sanderson

There had been something more they could do to him. One final torment the world had reserved just for Kaladin.
And it was called Bridge Four. — Brandon Sanderson

What did you put in the fire?" Kaladin said. "To make that special smoke?"
"Nothing. It was just and ordinary fire."
"But, I saw-"
"What you saw belongs to you. A story doesn't live until it is imagined in someone's mind."
"What does the story mean, then?"
"It means what you want it to mean," Hoid said. "The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think , but to give you questions to think upon. Too often, we forget that. — Brandon Sanderson

Breath. A man's breath was his life. Exhaled, bit by bit, back into the world. Kaladin breathed deeply, eyes closed, and for a time that was all he could hear. His own life. In, out, to the beating of the thunder in his chest. Breath. His own little storm. — Brandon Sanderson

Giving up all pretense of obeying natural laws again, I see," he said. "Natural laws?" Syl said, finding the concept amusing. "Laws are of men, Kaladin. Nature doesn't have them!" "If I toss something upward, it comes back down." "Except when it doesn't." "It's a law." "No," Syl said, looking upward. "It's more like . . . more like an agreement among friends." He looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "We have to be consistent," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Or we'll break your brains. — Brandon Sanderson

What does the story mean, then?" "It means what you want it to mean," Hoid said. "The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. Too often, we forget that." Kaladin — Brandon Sanderson

I won't stand there and watch while men die behind me. We have to be better than that! We can't look away like the lighteyes, pretending we don't see. This man is one of us. Just like Dunny was.
"The lighteyes talk about honor. They spout empty claims about their nobility. Well, I've only known one man in my life who was a true man of honor. He was a surgeon who would help anyone, even those who hated him. Especially those who hated him. Well, we're going to show Gaz, and Sadeas, Hashal, and any other sodden fool who cares to watch, what he taught me. Now go to work and stop complaining! — Brandon Sanderson

The Stormlight rising from his exposed skin was enough to illuminate the chasm, and it cast shadows on the walls as he ran. Those seemed to become figures, crafted by the bones and branches stretching from the heaps on the ground. Bodies and souls. His movement made the shadows twist, as if turning to regard him. — Brandon Sanderson

Kaladin frowned. "Wait. Are you wearing cologne? In prison?"
"Well, there was no need to be barbaric, just because I was incarcerated."
"Storms, you're spoiled," Kaladin said, smiling.
"I'm refined, you insolent farmer," Adolin said. Then he grinned. "Besides, I'll have you know that I had to use cold water for my baths while here."
"Poor boy. — Brandon Sanderson

Honor is dead. But I'll see what I can do. — Brandon Sanderson

In Kaladin's eyes, there was no sin greater than the betrayal of one's allies in battle. Except, perhaps, for the betrayal of one's own men - of murdering them after they risked their lives to protect you. — Brandon Sanderson

My father used to say that there are two kinds of people in the world," Kaladin whispered, voice raspy. "He said there are those who take lives. And there are those who save lives."
Syl frowned, cocking her head. This kind of conversation confused her; she wasn't good with abstractions.
"I used to think he was wrong. I thought there was a third group. People who killed in order to save." He shook his head. "I was a fool. There is a third group, a big one, but it isn't what I thought."
"What group?" she said, sitting down on his knee, brow scrunched up.
"The people who exist to be saved or to be killed. The group in the middle. The ones who can't do anything but die or be protected. The victims. That's all I am. — Brandon Sanderson

Passionate, with an intense, smoldering resolve. A leashed anger that he used, because he had dominated it. And a certain tempting arrogance. Not the haughty pride of a highlord. Instead, the secure, stable sense of determination that whispered that no matter who you were - or what you did - you could not hurt him. Could not change him. He was. Like the wind and rocks were. — Brandon Sanderson

Kaladin followed [Shallan]. What else could he do? Explain to Adolin? Yes, princeling. I let your betrothed wander off alone in the darkness to get eaten by a chasmfiend. No, I didn't go with her. Yes, I'm a coward. — Brandon Sanderson

That had never made sense to Kaladin. The Almighty was supposed to be able to see all and know all. So why did he need a prayer to be burned before he would do anything? Why did he need people to fight for him in the first place? — Brandon Sanderson

When did you get so peppy?" she shouted.
"Ever since I assumed I was dead, then I suddenly wasn't."
"Then remind me to try to kill you once in a while," she snapped. "If I succeed, it will make me feel better, and if I fail, it will make you feel better. Everyone wins! — Brandon Sanderson

That caravan looks as if it's all Vorin. Also, you look a little spindly for a Horneater."
"Did you just insult the princess's weight?" Tyn asked, aghast.
Storms! She was good. She actually managed to produce angerspren with the remark.
Well, nothing to do but soldier on.
"I am offend!" Shallan yelled.
"You have offended Her Highness again!"
"Very offend!"
"You'd better apologize."
"No apologize!" Shallan declared. "Boots! — Brandon Sanderson

Of all the recruits in his cohort, he had learned the quickest. How to hold the spear, how to stand to
spar. He'd done it almost without instruction. That had shocked Tukks. But why should it have? You
were not shocked when a child knew how to breathe. You were not shocked when a skyeel took flight
for the first time. You should not be shocked when you hand Kaladin Stormblessed a spear and he
knows how to use it. — Brandon Sanderson

What are you doing here, bridgeboy?" Adolin hissed from within his helmet.
"Playing one of the ten fools."
Adolin grunted. "Welcome to the party. — Brandon Sanderson

ven with the reduced army numbers, Kaladin passed three patrols as his men marched toward the gates. That was three more than he'd ever seen in Sadeas's camp. — Brandon Sanderson

I have full requisition right from the quartermasters too, Kaladin said, — Brandon Sanderson

You can't be in Bridge Four. We're bodyguards for your own family. What are you going to do? Guard yourself? — Brandon Sanderson

Authority doesn't come from a rank.," Kaladin said, fingering the spheres in his pocket.
"Where does it come from?"
"From the men who give it to you. That's the only way to get it. — Brandon Sanderson

How . . ." Dalinar said. "You fell into a chasm!"
"I fell face-first, sir," Kaladin said, "and fortunately, I'm particularly hard-headed. — Brandon Sanderson

It's horribly unfair you managed that on your first try," Kaladin noted. "It took me forever. — Brandon Sanderson

You sent him to the sky to die, assassin," Kaladin said, Stormlight puffing from his lips, "but the sky and the winds are mine. I claim them, as I now claim your life. — Brandon Sanderson

I trust you. It's a very strange sensation."
"Yeah, well, I'll try to hold myself back from going skipping across the plateau in joy."
Adolin grinned. "I'd pay to see that."
"Me skipping?"
"You happy," Adolin said, laughing. "You've got a face like a storm! I half think you could frighten off a storm. — Brandon Sanderson

In that darkness, an enormous face appeared just in front of his. A face of blackness, yet faintly traced in the dark. It was wide, the breadth of a massive thunderhead, and extended far to either side, yet it was somehow still visible to Kaladin. Inhuman. Smiling. — Brandon Sanderson

You promised me I could measure your ... particular abilities."
"Promised?" Kaladin asked. "I don't remember a promise."
"You grunted — Brandon Sanderson

The world just changed, Gaz," Kaladin said, leaning in close. "I died down at that chasm. Now you've got my vengeful spirit to deal with. — Brandon Sanderson

Kaladin was the one who had changed, not they. He felt a strange dislocation, as if he'd allowed himself to forget - if only in part - the last nine months. He reached back across time, studying the man he had been. The man who'd still fought, and fought well. He couldn't be that man again - he couldn't erase the scars - but he could learn from that man, as a new squadleader learned from the victorious generals of the past. Kaladin Stormblessed was dead, but Kaladin Bridgeman was of the same blood. A descendant with potential. — Brandon Sanderson

What is madness?" she asked, sitting with one leg up against her chest, vaporous skirt flickering around her calves and vanishing into mist. "It's when men don't think right," Kaladin said, glad for the conversation to distract him. "Men never seem to think right." "Madness is worse than normal," Kaladin said with a smile. "It really just depends on the people around you. How different are you from them? The person that stands out is mad, I guess. — Brandon Sanderson

Combat begins with the legs," Kaladin said as he evaded the attacks. "I don't care how fast you are with a jab, how accurate you are with a thrust. If your opponent can trip you, or make you stumble, you'll lose. Losing means dying. — Brandon Sanderson

The only time you seem honest is when you're insulting someone!"
"The only honest things I can say to you are insults. — Brandon Sanderson

Overcome your guilt, Kaladin. Care, but not too much. Take responsibility, but don't blame yourself.' Protect, save, help - but know when to give up. — Brandon Sanderson

Men had always told Kaladin that he fought like nobody else. He'd felt it on the first day he'd picked up a quarterstaff, though Tukks's advice had helped him refine and channel what he could do. Kaladin had cared when he fought. He'd never fought empty or cold. He fought to keep his men alive. — Brandon Sanderson

Your insult has offended me. If we were at the Peaks, we would have to duel in traditional alil'tiki'i fashion."
"Which is what?" Teft asked. "With spears?"
Rock laughed. "No, no. We upon the Peaks are not barbarians like you down here."
"How then?" Kaladin asked, genuinely curious.
"Well," Rock said, "is involving much mudbeer and singing."
"How's that a duel?"
"He who can still sing after the most drinks is winner. Plus, soon' everyone is so drunk that they forget what argument was about."
Teft laughed. "Beats knives at dawn, I suppose. — Brandon Sanderson

If the afterlife really is a big war," Kaladin said, "then I hope I end up in Damnation. At least there I might be able to get a wink or two of sleep. — Brandon Sanderson

Please," she whispered, sounding more frantic. "Don't leave me down in these chasms alone."
He smiled wryly. "Is it really this hard for you to let me win one single argument?"
"Yes! — Brandon Sanderson

Scared to go onward," Kaladin said, "but terrified to go back to what you were. — Brandon Sanderson

I will protect even those I hate," Kaladin whispered through bloody lips. "So long as it is right. — Brandon Sanderson

Laws are of men, Kaladin. Nature doesn't have them! — Brandon Sanderson

Doesn't that bother you?" Kaladin asked. "That you might be a creation of human perception?" "You're a creation of your parents. Who cares how we were born? I can think. That's good enough. — Brandon Sanderson

Fleet kept running," Kaladin growled, getting back under Elhokar's arm.
"What?"
"He couldn't win, but he kept running. And when the storm caught him, it didn't matter that he'd died, because he'd run for all he had."
"Sure. All right." The king sounded groggy, though Kaladin couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or the blood loss.
"We all die in the end, you see," Kaladin said. "So I guess what truly matters is just how well you've run. And Elhokar, you've kept running since your father was killed, even if you screw up all the storming time."
"Thank you?" the king said, drowsy. — Brandon Sanderson

There always seemed to be a reason Kaladin survived when those he'd tried to help died. Some men might have seen that as a blessing, but he saw it as an ironic kind of torment. — Brandon Sanderson

You haven't lost your wits, have you?" Lopen asked, eyeing the bones. "Because if you have, I've got a cousin who makes this drink for people who've lost their wits, and it might make you better, sure." "If I'd lost my wits," Kaladin said, walking over to a pool of still water to wash off the carapace helm, "would I say that I had?" "I don't know," Lopen said, leaning back. "Maybe. Guess it doesn't matter if you're crazy or not." "You'd follow a crazy man into battle?" "Sure," Lopen said. "If you're crazy, you're a good type, and I like you. Not a killing-people-in-their-sleep type of crazy. — Brandon Sanderson

We exist to be killed," Kaladin said. He blinked, glancing at the other few members of Bridge Four sitting apathetically in the rain. "If we're not dead already. — Brandon Sanderson

Strikes made with precision, a moment of oneness with the weapon. He forgot his worries, forgot his failures, forgot even his rage. Just Kaladin and a spear.
As the world was meant to be. — Brandon Sanderson

Kaladin hoped for something else. Hoped. Yes, he'd discovered that he could still hope. A spear in his hands. An enemy to face. He could live like that. — Brandon Sanderson

Are you going to play music for me?" "No. You wouldn't appreciate it." "Then why are you here?" "I like visiting people in prison. I can say whatever I want to them, and they can't do anything about it." He looked up at Kaladin, then rested his hands on his instrument, smiling. "I've come for a story." "What story?" "The one you're going to tell me." "Bah," Kaladin said, lying back down on his bench. — Brandon Sanderson

What do you know?"
"Almost everything. That almost part can be a real kick in the teeth sometimes."
"What do you want, then?"
"What I can't have." Wit turned to him, eyes solemn. "Same as everyone else, Kaladin Stormblessed. — Brandon Sanderson

All right.First, find me a cliff"
"That,will it give you a vantage to see the area?"
"No," said Kaladin. "It will give me something to throw you off of — Brandon Sanderson

What is a man's life worth?" Dalinar asked softly.
"The slavemasters say one is worth about two emerald broams," Kaladin said, frowning.
"And what do you say?"
"A life is priceless," he said immediately, quoting his father.
Dalinar smiled, wrinkle lines extending from the corners of his eyes. "Coincidentally, that is the exact value of a Shardblade. So today, you and your men sacrificed to buy me twenty-six hundred priceless lives. And all I had to repay you with was a single priceless sword. I call that a bargain. — Brandon Sanderson

He'd never been an optimist. He saw the world as it was, or he tried to. That was a problem, though, when the truth he saw was so terrible. — Brandon Sanderson