Quotes from Brandon Sanderson

You just want to stop existing," Kaladin said. "You don't want to actually kill yourself, not on most days. But you figure it sure would be convenient if you weren't around anymore.

What kind of woman is still able to trust people after everything she's been through? If she'd been Vin, she would have stabbed him in the back at the first opportunity, and that would have probably been the right thing to do. Yet, this girl just continued to trust. It was like finding a beautiful plant growing alone in a field of burnt ash.

We must not cower in the dark because we're afraid of the spark within us. The answer is not to put out the spark, but to learn to control it.

To live was to be a fragment of the cosmere that was experiencing itself.

Vin, Vin. Why can't you see? This isn't about good or evil. Morality doesn't even enter into it. Good men will kill as quickly for what they want as evil men—only the things they want are different.

Cleaning the wound is often more painful than the cut itself.

I never wanted to be feared. If I regret one thing, it is the fear I have caused. Fear is the tool of tyrants. Unfortunately, when the fate of the world is in question, you use whatever tools are available.

Yes, Bastille. I keep trying to get killed because it's inconvenient for you.

Weakness can imitate strength if bound properly, just as cowardice can imitate heroism if given nowhere to flee.

Vin snorted, kneeling in the low tent as she pulled her belt tight; then she crawled over to him. "I don't know how you read while riding," she said. "Oh, it's quite easy - if you aren't afraid of horses." "I'm not afraid of them," Vin said. "They just don't like me. They know I can outrun them, and that makes them surly.

Plan?" Marasi asked. "Not dyin'." "Anything more detailed than that?" "Not dyin' Ã¢â'¬Â¦ today?

I'd be offended if I could be offended," he said. "Maybe I should start calling you a cow, since you have four limbs, are made of meat, and have rudimentary biological mental capacities.

What did it mean to be called "lord"? I'll assume you've never had the honor, since I doubt any of you happen to be British royalty. (And, if by chance you are, then let me say, "Hello, Your Majesty! Welcome to my stupid book. Can I borrow some cash?")

Being polite to a person is not a sign of respect for them. It is merely a sign of a good upbringing and a balanced nature.

God is the creator of all things, right? He is the force that dictates the laws of the universe, and is therefore the ultimate source of ethics. He is absolute morality... We claim to be doing good. But the Lord Ruler - as God - defines what is good. So by opposing him we're actually evil. But since he's doing the wrong thing, does evil actually count as good in this case?

Hello?' M-Bot said. 'Spensa? Are you dead?' 'Maybe.' 'Oooh. Like the cat!' '...What?' 'I'm not sure, honestly,' M-Bot said. 'But logically, if you're speaking to me then possibility has collapsed in our favor. Hurray!

People see in stories what they're looking for, my young friend.

If you could explain something perfectly, then you'd never need art.

How are your accommodations?" Dalinar asked. "Sir? I'm in storming prison." A smile cracked Dalinar's face. "So I see. Calm yourself, soldier. If I'd ordered you to guard a room for a week, would you have done it?" "Yes." "Then consider this your duty. Guard this room." "I'll make sure nobody unauthorized runs off with the chamber pot, sir.

You've managed-- in our short three years together-- to kill not only my god, but my father, my brother, and my fiance. That's kind of like a homicidal hat trick. It's a strange foundation for a relationship, wouldn't you say?

Tremble and fear, all enemies!" he shouted. "For we shall shake the air with thunder and blood! Your doom is imminent!

Everything is a contest. All dealings among men are a contest in which some will succeed and others fail. And some are failing quite spectacularly.

Control is the basis of all true power. Authority and strength are matters of perception

Heroism is a myth you tell idealistic young people—specifically when you want them to go bleed for you.