Quotes from Tamora Pierce

The gods cannot reveal all things; otherwise, where is men's right to choose their fates? Where is your right to choose?

Her tolerance for fools had always been slight, and she was losing the little she had.

He is a horse who will burn and bloat and explode in the sun. Put him back in the oven and let him cook until he's done.

Men don't think any differently from women—they just make more noise about being able to.

Someday I must read this scholar everyone

Aniki set her pot on the bench and scooped Pounce up. "I like bad lads with black hearts," she proclaimed. Pounce struggled madly. This is undignified! he said. I am not a toy!

Da says I make a whole loaf from pigeon crumbs.

It was almost warm for the first day of New Year; she was dressed comfortably; she had a good horse and Faithful with her and Coram at her side. Roger's death was bad, she thought, but life could be much, much worse. Perhaps I'll live and be happy after, all.

Numair smiled. "Their society is ruled by females. Each pack is led by sisters." "Sensible of them," Daine said, grinning up at him.

What was unreasonable about asking those that had the coin to build the kingdom up again? They made enough riches off of us.

On the outside, the pony insisted. Not inside. Inside you're People.

It is the custom for a master to do this for the student, but not the other way around, Yadeen said when he handed a package to Arram. It is assumed the student needs every nit he can find, if not for now, when he has a stipend, then later, when he is on his own.

But I've only been at this mage business four years. I have some catching up to do—

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.

Maybe it takes a coward more courage—not less—to do and not do things. Perhaps cowards understand the world so much better than brave folk.

If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a successful lie and getting caught. —From A Workbook for a Young Spy, written and illustrated by Aly's father and given to her on her sixth birthday

He was a god, the greatest of those who ruled two-leggers, but he was no Chaos queen. Her supply of awed terror was used up for today.

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.

People with a good life would defend it more vigorously than people who were beaten down by their masters and their fates.

Me," she said at last. "You should pick me." "But you're a girl." It was impossible to tell what he was thinking. "So?" she demanded. "Even Captain Sklaw says I'll be a swordsman yet. I'm as good an archer as Alex, and he's a boy and a squire. I'm a better tracker than Raoul. And have I ever failed you? Back there, or when you had the Fever—" "I'm glad you agree

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.

Folk who tell the truth don't think they must keep repeating it. It's the truth - it's obvious. Only liars tell it over and over, trying to hammer their like into others' minds.

Daine: Master Stefan?...D'you ever want to run with the herd? To just--be a horse? Do what the herd does Stefan: Course I do,..Don't everybody? Daine: What keeps you from doing it? Stefan: He rubbed his strawlike hair. I'm a man. I can't be runnin' with the herd, now can I?

I leave you mages to it. I'm going to camp and torture some trainees.