Quotes from Brandon Sanderson

At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.

Belief?" "Yes," Sazed said. "Tell me, Mistress. What is it that you believe?" Vin frowned. "What kind of question is that?" "The most important kind, I think.

It was amazing how many books one could fit into a room, assuming one didn't want to move around very much.

The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.

The only time you seem honest is when you're insulting someone!" "The only honest things I can say to you are insults.

A man was defined not by his flaws, but by how he overcame them.

We follow the codes not because they bring gain, but because we loathe the people we would otherwise become.

Never throw the first punch. If you have to throw the second, try to make sure they don't get up for a third.

Every man is a hero of his own story.

Lately, I feel like my life is a book written in a language I don't know how to read.

As I fear not a child with a weapon he cannot lift, I will never fear the mind of a man who does not think.

You sent him to the sky to die, assassin," Kaladin said, Stormlight puffing from his lips, "but the sky and the winds are mine. I claim them, as I now claim your life.

Yes, I began my journey alone, and I ended it alone. But that does not mean that I walked alone.

You're a very difficult person to manipulate, you know." "Nonsense," he said. "You just have to promise me that I won't have to do a thing, and then I'll do anything you want." "Anything?" "Anything that doesn't require doing anything." "That's nothing, then." "Is it?" "Yes." "Well, that's something.

Ten spears go to battle," he whispered, "and nine shatter. Did the war forge the one that remained? No, Amaran. All the war did was identify the spear that would not break .

I ain't grouchy," Teft snapped. "I just have a low threshold for stupidity.

Marsh: Our best efforts were never even a mild annoyance to the Lord Ruler." Kelsier: Ah, but being an annoyance is something that I am very good at. In fact, I'm far more than just a 'mild' annoyance--people tell me I can be downright frustrating. Might as well use this talent for the cause of good, eh?

How do you 'accidentally' kill a noble man in his own mansion?" "With a knife in the chest. Or, rather, a pair of knives in the chest...

Remember, the past need not become our future as well.

A woman's strength should not be in her role, whatever she chooses to be, but in the power to choose that role.

Authors also create lovable, friendly characters, then proceed to do terrible things to them, like throw them in unsightly librarian-controlled dungeons. This makes readers feel hurt and worried for the characters. The simple truth is that authors like making people squirm. If this weren't the case, all novels would be filled completely with cute bunnies having birthday parties.

Authority doesn't come from a rank.," Kaladin said, fingering the spheres in his pocket. "Where does it come from?" "From the men who give it to you. That's the only way to get it.

This world, it is a tempest sometimes. But remember, the sun always rises again.

Jasnah had once defined a fool as a person who ignored information because it disagreed with desired results.