Paolini Quotes & Sayings

No hunter of the sky should end his days as prey. Better to die on the wing than pinned to the ground. [Saphira] — Christopher Paolini

Characters are born from necessity. — Christopher Paolini

Always it is thus with my new students, and especially with the human ones; the mind is the last muscle they train or use, and the one that they regard the least. Ask them about swordplay and they can list every blow from a duel a month old, but ask them to solve a problem or make a coherent statement and ... well, I would be lucky to get more than a blank stare in return. — Christopher Paolini

Why?' - Nasuada
'You know why' - Murtagh — Christopher Paolini

If anything happens, I'm going to pin you to my back and never let you off."
I love you too."
- Saphira and Eragon — Christopher Paolini

Eragon! I never want to hear you use that excuse again, that because someone else has done
or would do
something means that you should too. It's lazy, repugnant, and indicative of an inferior mind. Am I clear? — Christopher Paolini

A good compromise leaves everyone angry. — Christopher Paolini

Just writing a lot doesn't necessarily make you a better writer. You have to hear yourself as a writer, and the best way to do that is to read your writing out loud. — Christopher Paolini

Pay no heed to your enemies' laugh. They won't be able to once you lob off their heads. — Christopher Paolini

Nothing is more dangerous than an enemy with nothing to loose. — Christopher Paolini

In the beginning, there were dragons; proud, fience,and independent. Their scale were like gems and all who gazed upon them despaired, for their beauty was great and terrible..! — Christopher Paolini

Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe. — Christopher Paolini

What of it? If you don't make a few enemies every now and then, you're a coward - or worse. Besides, it was worth it to see his reaction. — Christopher Paolini

Those whom we most love are often the most alien to us. — Christopher Paolini

If I spent my time worrying about what other people would think of my work, I would be too self-conscious to write. — Christopher Paolini

The sands of time cannot be stopped. Years pass whether we will them or not ... but we can remember. What has been lost may yet live in memories. — Christopher Paolini

I'm healthy as an ox. And you?" "To compare myself with a bovine would be both ridiculous and insulting, but I'm fit as ever, if that is what you are asking. — Christopher Paolini

How am I supposed to know which religion is the true religion? he wondered. Just because someone follows a certain faith does not necessarily — Christopher Paolini

Change itself is neither good nor bad, but knowledge is always useful. — Christopher Paolini

For he who has the audacity to determine who should live and who should die no longer serves the law but dictates the law. — Christopher Paolini

A man rarely knows the day and hour when he will die. I could be killed any moment and there's not a blasted thing I can do about it. — Christopher Paolini

Even the donkeys were quiet. — Christopher Paolini

Only if you are afraid of looking foolish, and I would have looked far more foolish if I persisted with an erroneous belief.' Eragon said.
Why, little one, you just said something wise!'Saphira teased. — Christopher Paolini

Heart broken-he felt a deep ache in his chest, like that of a sore muscle, and each beat of his heart pained him — Christopher Paolini

Give men your ear, but not your heart. Show respect for those in power, but don't follow them blindly. Judge with logic and reason, but comment not. — Christopher Paolini

Eragon started as me but ended up evolving into his very own character, .. Even as he has gone through his coming- of- age story, the process of writing and publishing these novels has been my own coming- of- age story. There are parallels between my own experience and Eragon's, but fortunately, I don't have people charging at me with swords. — Christopher Paolini

So you weren't just jealous? She licked the claw once more. Perhaps a little. Eragon — Christopher Paolini

The advantage of writing from experience is that it often provides you with details that you would never think of yourself, no matter how rich your imagination. And specificity in description is something every writer should strive for. — Christopher Paolini

Forgive me if I stare, I knew you were young, but even then I was expecting someone a little more, well, more. — Christopher Paolini

I have to admit, that's a remarkable bruise. You should be proud; it's quite a feat to get injured in the manner you did and in that ... particular ... place. — Christopher Paolini

Too late. It's hatched. — Christopher Paolini

You would be amazed how many magicians have died after being bitten by mad rabbits. It's far more common than you might think.
-Angela the Herbalist — Christopher Paolini

Misfoutune always comes to those who wait. The trick is to find happiness in the breif gaps between distaters. — Christopher Paolini

Eragon said, I have a new name for pain. What's that? The Obliterator. Because when you're in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought. Not emotion. Only the drive to escape the pain. When it's strong enough, the Obliterator strips us of everything that makes us who we are, until we're reduced to creatures less than animals, creatures with a single desire and goal: escape. A good name, then. I'm falling apart, Saphira, like an old horse that's plowed too many fields. Keep hold of me with your mind, or I may drift apart and forget who I am. I will never let go of you. — Christopher Paolini

I warn you, Eragon, beware of whom you fall in love with, for fate seems to have a morbid interest in our family. — Christopher Paolini

Casting back her head, Arya gazed up at the twinkling sky, her long neck gold with firelight, her face pale with the radiance of the heavenx. "Do you ask out of friendly concern or your own self-interest?" She gave an abrupt, choked laugh, the sound of water falling over cold rocks. "Never mind. The night air has addled me. It has undone my sense of courtesy and left me free to say the most spiteful things that occur to me."
"No matter."
"It does matter, because I regret it, and I shall not tolerate it. Did I love Faolin? How would you define love? For over twenty years, we traveled together, the only immortals to walk among the short-lived races. We were companions ... and friends. — Christopher Paolini

Don't eat earwax avoid roasted cabbage and look on the bright side of life -Angela — Christopher Paolini

I always say, better ask forgiveness than permission. — Christopher Paolini

Consider non your superior, whatever their rank or station in life. Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your belief and others will listen." he continued at a slower pace, " of the affairs of love ... my only advice is to be honest. thats your most powerfull too to unlock a heart or gain forgiveness. that is all i have to say"Garrow to Roran p 64 — Christopher Paolini

People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't. — Christopher Paolini

It's not the wolves out there," said Eragon, hugging himself. "It's the wolves in here." He tapped the middle of his forehead — Christopher Paolini

He's acting as foolish as a kitten ... but then, everyone's entitled to a little foolishness once in a while. — Christopher Paolini

Anger has its place, but it will not serve you here, the way of the warrior is the way of knowing. Of that knowledge requires you to use anger, then you use anger, but you cannot wrest forth knowledge by losing your temper. — Christopher Paolini

What have you done?' he said, his voice hollow and strained. He stepped back and put his fists to his temples. 'What have you done!'
With an effort, Eragon said, 'Made you understand. — Christopher Paolini

To while away the day contemplating evils that might have been is to poison the happiness we already have. — Christopher Paolini

Don't defoul the air. It ill becomes you. - Oromis — Christopher Paolini

Show respect for those in power, but do not follow them blindly. — Christopher Paolini

The trick is to find happiness in the brief gaps between disasters. — Christopher Paolini

To have a child is the greatest honor and responsibility that can be bestowed upon any living being.
- Arya — Christopher Paolini

Do not feel bad because of it. It's impossible to go through life unscathed. Nor should you want to. By the hurts we accumulate, we measure both our follies and our accomplishment. — Christopher Paolini

A true warrior," she said, "does not fight because he wishes to but because he has to. A man who yearns for war, a man who enjoys his killing, he is a brute and a monster. No matter how much glory he wins on the battlefield, that cannot erase the fact that he is no better than a rabid wolf who will turn on his friends and family as soon as his foes. — Christopher Paolini

If you want to be a professional writer then you need to write consistently. Inspiration strikes about once every blue moon which, for me, is once every two and a half to three months, which is when I'll get really and truly inspired about something. — Christopher Paolini

Having no other recourse, Roran resorted to the unexpected: he stuck his head and neck out and shouted, "BAH!" just as he would if he were trying to scare someone in a dark hallway ... — Christopher Paolini

Only men would think of cutting themselves to determine who the packleader is. Idiots. — Christopher Paolini

Yes it is" Eragon said before his courage left him "just like you — Christopher Paolini

That s the problem I ve been choosing male names. You are a she! [To Saphira, while trying to choose her name.] — Christopher Paolini

The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't. — Christopher Paolini

The best remedy for what ails me is being with you here under the sun. — Christopher Paolini

A person must earn enlightenment, Eragon. It is not handed down to you by others, regardless of how revered they be. — Christopher Paolini

We are no longer awkward younglings. Our enemies may be fearsome, but so are we. It is time we remind them of that. — Christopher Paolini

Because you can't argue with all the fools in the world. It's easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they're not paying attention. — Christopher Paolini

Well, don't act so morose. It's not as if it's your execution!" "I know." "Then smile, because if it's not your execution, you should be happy! — Christopher Paolini

You shouldn't let him hit you so much" observed saphira
"Yes I realize that'" he growled.
"Do you want me to knock him over for you?"
"No ... not today. — Christopher Paolini

He is a man who kicks at cats, said Solembum, as if that summed up Tenga's entire character. — Christopher Paolini

Death, he had come to believe, was a corrosive thing, and the more he was around it , the more it gnawed away at who he was. — Christopher Paolini

I am not who I was, but I know who I am. — Christopher Paolini

do not worry about these things. find peace in where and what you are ~saphira to eragon page 429 — Christopher Paolini

All great fighting is the same, Eragon, even as all great warriors are the same. Past a certain point, it does not matter whether you wield a sword, a claw, a tooth or a tail. It is true, you must be capable with your weapon, but anyone with the time, and the inclination can acquire technical proficiency. To achieve greatness, though, that requires artistry. That requires imagination and thoughtfulness, and it is those qualities that the best warriors share, even if, on the surface, they appear completely different. — Christopher Paolini

Do not dwell on what once was, but rather look forward and ponder how you can make the future brighter — Christopher Paolini

Whenever we kill, we kill a part of ourselves. — Christopher Paolini

It was as if his point of view had, within seconds, gone from that of an ant to that of an eagle.
For the sky was hollow, and the world was round. — Christopher Paolini

I took a bunch of pictures. You can see 'em on my MySpace page, along with my favorite songs and movies and things that other people have created but that I use to express my individualism. — Christopher Paolini

Her sculptured face was as perfect as a painting. — Christopher Paolini

Hoped that the extra padding of his shirt would protect — Christopher Paolini

Saphira waved her tail, the tip whistling loudly. "I'm not asking you to. However, if we attack first, we may gain the advantage."
"Have you gone crazy? They'll ... " Eragon's voice trailed off as he thought about it. "They won't be able to do a thing."
"Exactly," said Saphira. "We can inflict lots of damage from a safe height."
"Let's drop rocks on them! — Christopher Paolini

A fine Dragon Rider you are, afraid of talking to a large group! If only Galbatorix knew, he could have you at his mercy if he but asked you to make a speech to his troops. Ha! It — Christopher Paolini

The way the Rider flourished his sword afterward- spinning it in a quick circle by his side- suddenly seemed familiar to Eragon, as did all his preceding swordsmanship. He stared with growing horror at his enemy's hand-and-a-half sword, then back up at the eye slits of his mirrored helm, and shouted, I know you!
He threw himself at the Rider, trapping both swords between their bodies, hooked his fingers underneath the helm, and ripped it off. And there in the center of the plateau, on the edge of the Burning Plains of Allagaesia, stood Murtagh. — Christopher Paolini

She gave him a wan smile. "And then you came, Eragon. You and Saphira. After hope had deserted me and I was about to be taken to Galbatorix in Uru'baen, a Rider appeared to rescue me. A rider and a dragon!"
"And Morzan's son," he said. "Both of Morzan's sons."
"Describe it how you will, it was such an improbable rescue, I occasionally think that I did go mad and that I've imagined everything since. — Christopher Paolini

The bumblebee was so vibrant, so alive, and so beautiful, its presence renewed Eragon's will to survive. A world that contained a creature as amazing as THAT bumblebee was a world he wanted to live in. — Christopher Paolini

And in time, I must meet the same fate. Love, family, accomplishments - they are all torn away, leaving nothing. What is the worth of anything we do? The worth is in the act. Your worth halts when you surrender the will to change and experience life. But options are before you; choose one and dedicate yourself to it. — Christopher Paolini

False modesty is never admirable, and least of all among those who command others. — Christopher Paolini

Why does everything have to be so hard? [Eragon] wondered.
Because, said Saphira, everyone wants to eat, but no one wants to be eaten. — Christopher Paolini

Eragon.

Is that all you say?

Yes. — Christopher Paolini

The cycle repeated itself at inconsistent intervals, creating invisible eddies that brushed against him like fountains of roiling water. — Christopher Paolini

No-one can function properly without occasional peace and quiet. — Christopher Paolini

Some miles to the North, a ring of mountains rose out of the clouds. The peaks were clad in snow and ice, and together they looked like an ancient, jagged crown resting atop the layers of mist. The eastward-facing scarps shone brilliantly in the light of the morning sun, while long blue shadows cloaked the western sides and stretched dwindling into the distance, tenebrous daggers upon the billowy, snow-white plain. — Christopher Paolini

The silver-haired elf woman Yaela had knelt by the side of the grave, taken an acorn from the pouch on her belt, and planted it directly above Wyrden's chest. And then the twelve elves, Arya included, sang to the acorn, which took root and sprouted and grew twining upward, reaching and grasping toward the sky like a clutch of hands. When the elves had finished, the leafy oak stood twenty feet high, with long strings of green flowers at the end of every branch. Eragon had thought it was the nicest burial he had ever attended. — Christopher Paolini

Ignorance, fear, hate: these are our enemies. Deny them with all your might.

-Oromis — Christopher Paolini

Find peace in where and what you are. — Christopher Paolini

But ask yourself this Eragon: If gods exist, have they been good custodians of alagaesia? Death, sickness, poverty, tyranny and countless other miseries stalk the land. If this is the handiwork of divine beings, then they are to be rebelled against and overthrown, not given obeisance, obedience, and reverance. — Christopher Paolini

The future will be what it will, and fretting about it will only make your fears more likely to come true. — Christopher Paolini

I'll fight when needed, revel when there's an occasion, mourn when there is greif and die if my time comes ... But I will not let anyone use me against my will. — Christopher Paolini

Books should go where they will be most appreciated, and not sit unread, gathering dust on a forgotten shelf, don't you agree? — Christopher Paolini

( ... )best of luck, avoid roasted cabbage, don't eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life! — Christopher Paolini

But the constant motion of the flames soon lulled him into a passive state where unrelated fragments of thoughts, sounds, images, and emotions drifted through him like snowflakes falling from a calm winter's sky. — Christopher Paolini

A faint tickling on the back of his right hand caused Eragon to look down. A huge, wingless cricket clung to his glove. The insect was hideous: black and bulbous, with barbed legs and a massive skull-like head. Its carapace gleamed like oil. — Christopher Paolini

But anyone with the time and the inclination can acquire technical proficiency. To achieve greatness, though, that requires artistry. That requires imagination and thoughtfulness ... — Christopher Paolini

May your swords stay sharp -Brom — Christopher Paolini

Arya.' He looked down the silvery river and then back at Arya, and he gripped the hilt of Brisingr. He was so full of emotion, he trembled. He did not want to leave, but he knew he must. 'Stay with me-'
Her gaze darted up. 'I cannot.'
' ... stay with me until the first curve in the river.'
She hesitated, then nodded. — Christopher Paolini

Eragon went to see the dragon for the first time since it had spoken to him. He approached apprehensively, aware now that it was an equal.
"Eragon."
"Is that all you can say?" he snapped.
"Yes."
His eyes widened at the unexpected reply, and he sat down roughly.
Now it has a sense of humor. What next? — Christopher Paolini