Quotes from Emily Rodda

Let arms be still and voices low, A million eyes watch as you go. A silken door your pathway ends, There fire and light will be your friends. Then see yourself as others may, And catch noon's eye to clear your way.

Nothing here is as it seems; Dreams are truths, and truths are dreams. Closed your ears to loved ones' cries; Die if you believe your eyes. Bind with ropes your flesh and blood, And let your guide be made of wood.

Left or right, which will you take? For both of them your heart will break. One is cruel, one is fair, One a passage, one a snare. Choose the one that hides the light, And you will know your path is right.

What cannot be changed, must be endured," he said grimly. "Our duty now is to the living.

The flower is not evil because it blooms where it does. It simply exists. As do the fish in this pool, and the bird on the cliff, and you, and I.

Beneath soft looks evil burns, And slowly round the old wheel turns. The same mistakes, the same old pride, The priceless armour cast aside. The secret enemy is here. It hides in darkness, fools beware! For day by day its power grows, And when at last its face it shows, Then past and present tales will meet-- The evil circle is complete...

You have been menaced by giant spiders, nearly smothered in a swamp, and now half drowned and frozen, and you are embarrassed about taking your clothes off in front of me! Does that not seem ridiculous?

The one who first heard Zebak bells Must see the truth the mirror tells. The hand must bleed to reach the end, One finger stands the others bend. With chains and sorrow you must pay For other hands to guide your way.

When evil strikes and fury wakes, Then love will face the choice it makes. Death will free the loyal friend. As it began, so shall it end. Bound to the beast, you play your part-- The comfort of the aching heart.

As fear approaches in the night, Flee from the field and hide from sight. The power stirs, the anger wakes, The rage upon the darkness breaks, A fearful lesson, learned full well, A tale that they alone can tell.

Barbarians!' he roared. 'Filthy barbarians!

A land which does not remember its history can never learn the lessons of its past.

Isn't it amazing how it's always the very people who insist other people be grateful for charity that get the most insulted when they're offered charity themselves? I've often noticed it.

So, very soon our captives will meet their small countrywoman again. How grateful they must be to have a pleasant ride, with us to guide their way. Perhaps they feel that chains and sorrow are not too high a price to pay. What say you, Zanel?

But I do not think we can wait for painting. This place is dangerous for us. Perlain is already impatient with us. I can see it by the way he lashes his tail.

To mix the brew that wakes Death sleep Fill one spread hand with silver deep. In hungry pool moons raise their heads: Pluck one and add the tears it sheds. Stir slowly with new fighter's quill, Three times, no more, and let it still. Add venom from your greatest fear-- One drop--and then the truth is clear.

We are a fine party of heroes. Half drowned, half frozen, half dead with tiredness and sick to our stomachs through drinking half the ocean. Not to mention that all our supplies are feeding the fish.

You can always find time to do the thing you really, really want to do.