Quotes from Tamora Pierce

If arrogance were shoes, he'd never go barefoot.

Curse him for being all tight muscle, with ivory skin and a mouth as soft as rose petals. Curse him for having hair as fair as the sun, and eyes as black as night. Curse him for having the grace of a cat and deft, cool hands. And now I am having the same argument on paper that I have in my own head on too many nights. I know my choice is sensible, but it isn't my common sense I think with, those times Rosto's stolen a kiss from me.

Sometimes there's nothing you can do. [...] Sometimes they don't have enough to fight with.

Not all nine-fingered girls have hatchets, she said in Tradertalk. Some of us just tried to have a conversation with a snapping turtle. (Sandry to Daja, referring to her conversation with Tris.)

Why does this mean so much to you, Jon? The Prince turned. Because he's my friend. Because I always know where he stands, and where I stand with him. Because I think he'd die for me and--and I think I'd die for him. Is that enough?

Without reading, we are all without light in the dark, without fire in the cold.

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.

Ishabal: If you may correct your vision as you like, why do you wear spectacles? Tris: Because I like them. Because I have better things to do with my magic than fixing my vision when ordinary glass will do.

George looked at her for a long moment. Finally he replied, And why do you find it so hard to think someone might like you and want to do things for you?

Briar: They never tell you some things. They tell you mages have wonderful power and they learn all kinds of secrets. Nobody ever mentions that some secrets you don't ever want to learn. Rosethorn: All you can do is learn good to balance the bad. Learn and do all the good within your reach. Then, if you wake in a sweat, you have something to set against the dream.

She rides as a man, goes unveiled as a man, fights as a man. Let her prove herself worthy as a man, worthy of her weapons and of our friendship.

Ozorne, my precious, where are you? - Rikash Moonsword

I--buy, and I sell. You're a thief.

It's been interesting, Frostpine said casually. I wanted Daja to get some experience of other smiths'-and other mages'- ways of doing things, if only so she can see mine is best.

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

It's always better to attack than to defend, Coram had told her when they talked about fencing late at night. Always. Ye don't win with defense--ye only hold the other feller off, or wear him down. Attack and have done with it!

No one expects a woman busy at her sewing to pay attention to what's being said around her. Nevermind if a man's mother and sister showerd them they heard everything while they stictched, he'll still think a woman who plies her needles saves all her brains for the work. You're a far better spy hemming sheets than if you clank with daggers.

it's your own fault for encouraging him..., you know. Now he thinks he's a human being. Neal of Queens cove

I will be known forever as the Puppy who chased a cutpurse and caught fish garbage instead. My descendants will pretend I'm not in their bloodline. No – no one will want to make descendants with me. [from Beka Cooper's journal of her first day as a new Dog i.e. cop]

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!

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

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.

You know something? There are sandstorms that strip man and horse and bury them — I've seen them. I saw bones piled higher than my head for the folly of a bad king and those who wanted his throne. I lived through a blizzard that froze every other living creature solid. Against those things, you're only a man. I can deal with you.

Wenna followed us out. You've done him some good, Clary, I have to say! He's got color in his cheeks, and he's stepping along as if he was sixty again, she told Goodwin as she walked us to the gate. You'll come back? Of course, Goodwin said. But thank Cooper for his improved spirits. Once he'd insulted her a few times, he was in the pink.