Who is it who decides that one man should live and another should die? My life wasn't worth any more than his, but he's the one who's buried, while I get to enjoy at least a few more hours above the ground. Is it chance, random and cruel, or is there some purpose or pattern to all this, even if it lies beyond our ken?" -Roran

Christopher Paolini

Categorized in : Lying Men Purpose

Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now.

Christopher Paolini

insperational inspirational life

The monsters of the mind are far worse than those that actually exist.

Christopher Paolini

brisingr mind monsters

Without fear there cannot be courage.

Christopher Paolini

saphira bravery fear

I know what we do is right but right doesn't always mean easy.

Christopher Paolini

brisingr easy mean

The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.

Christopher Paolini

hate nature beach

A negative outlook is more of a handicap than any physical injury.

Christopher Paolini

handicaps injury negative

Wise? No, I simply learned to think.

Christopher Paolini

wisdom wise thinking

What a sweet and succulent morsel: so soft, so salty, so deliciously delectable, it makes me want to wiggle with delight. You should cook for me more often, Roran Stronghammer. Only next time, I think you should prepare several deer at once. Otherwise, I won't get a proper meal.' Roran hesitated, as if unable to decide whether her request was serious and, if so, how he could politely extricate himself froim such an unlooked -for and rather onerous obligation.

Christopher Paolini

meals sweet thinking

Atra esterni' ono thelduin Mor' rana li'fa unin hjarta onr Un du evari'nya ono varda (May good fortune rule over you peace live in your heart may the stars watch over you)

Christopher Paolini

stars over-you heart

Books should go where they will be most appreciated, and not sit unread, gathering dust on a forgotten shelf, don't you agree?

Christopher Paolini

dust gathering book

People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't.

Christopher Paolini

remember history people

I always say, better ask forgiveness than permission.

Christopher Paolini

eragon forgiveness permission

Always it is thus with my new students, and especially with the human ones; the mind is the last muscle they train or use, and the one that they regard the least. Ask them about swordplay and they can list every blow from a duel a month old, but ask them to solve a problem or make a coherent statement and... well, I would be lucky to get more than a blank stare in return.

Christopher Paolini

would-be blow mind

Magic is the art of thinking, not strength or language.

Christopher Paolini

magic art thinking

On the beach, Roran stood alone, watching them go. Then he threw back his head and uttered a long, aching cry, and the night echoed with the sound of his loss.

Christopher Paolini

loss night beach

I am not who I was, but I know who I am.

Christopher Paolini

who-i-am knows

...even the donkeys were quiet.

Christopher Paolini

donkey quiet

Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.

Christopher Paolini

cry laughing book

It is a better world. A place where we ate responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and becauseit is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.

Christopher Paolini

punishment want world

Let no one rule your mind or body. Take special care that your thoughts remain unfettered... Give men your ear, but not your heart. Show respect for those in power, but don't follow them blindly. Judge with logic and reason, but comment not. Consider none your superior in life. Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your beliefs and others will listen.

Christopher Paolini

revenge heart life