Tamora Quotes

I wanted to have something good to remember about today," she replied quietly. "Something that wasn't petty and mean. Sometimes you have to provide such moments yourself. ~ Tamora Pierce

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

If I say you're a goatherd's son, you say, 'Yes, Lord Ralon.'"
Alanna gasped with fury. "I'd as soon kiss a pig! Is that what you've been doing-kissing pigs? Or being kissed? ~ Tamora Pierce

Scrying the wind is very difficult, Tris," Niko said gently. "It's like scrying the future. You're assailed with thousands of images - fragments, really. It drives many who try it insane." "You learned to scry the future," Tris pointed out. "And a number of people have informed me they think I am mad," Niko replied, his voice very dry. ~ Tamora Pierce

I'll find a day to massacre them all
And raze their faction and their family,
The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life,
And make them know what 'tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain. ~ William Shakespeare

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. ~ Tamora Pierce

WE do try to eat," Raoul called back to her [Kel]. I go all faint if I don't get fed regularly. Only think of the disgrace to the King's Own if I fell from the saddle."
"But there was that time in Fanwood," a voice behind them said.
"That wedding in Tameran," added the blonde Sergeant Osbern, riding a horse-length behind Kel.
"Don't forget when what's-his-name, with the army, retired," yelled a third.
"Silence, insubordinate curs!" cried Raoul. "Do not sully my new squire's ears with your profane tales!"
"Even if they're TRUE?" That was Dom. It seemed Neal wasn't the only family member versed in irony. ~ Tamora Pierce

As I recall, this word's use means somewhere there is a tree that is now a - a two-legger.
-Numair Salmalin ~ Tamora Pierce

I forgot my purse of laughter when I dressed this mornin'," she told me. "Have you not bought anythin' the last few days? Prices have gone up. Pay or starve, it's all one to me. ~ Tamora Pierce

Lark: "You shouldn't yell at her."
Frostpine: "Of course I should. Gods bless us all, Lark, but our Water dedicates would try the patience of a stone."
- Dedicates Lark and Frostpine when the latter found out that the Water Temple had run out of warded boxes ~ Tamora Pierce

Folk in the Lower City do not tell each other how to worship, or if they do, it is not for long. ~ Tamora Pierce

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. ~ Tamora Pierce

The wolf who sings alone is not happy. ~ Tamora Pierce

The fantasy that appeals most to people is the kind that's rooted thoroughly in somebody looking around a corner and thinking, 'What if I wandered into this writer's people here?' If you've done your job and made your people and your settings well enough, that adds an extra dimension that you can't buy. ~ Tamora Pierce

It occurred to Keth for the first time that perhaps magic wasn't simply a matter of fires, lightning, and power in the air, if spoken words could also create such a transformation. ~ Tamora Pierce

Girl, boy or dancing bear, you're the finest page-the finest squire-to-be-at court. (Jon to Alanna) ~ Tamora Pierce

Her free hand was clenched in a fist. I held still, waiting for her to say something, to tell me she should have never left me here, where her friends might look to me for help.
Finally she looked at me. Her eyes were hard, but she'd let no tears fall. "This is where we blame those who are responsible, Cooper, she told me, her voice very soft. "The colemongers, and the bought Dogs at Tradesmen's kennel. We'll leave an offering for him with the Black God when all this is done, and we'll occupy ourselves with tearing these colemongers apart. all right? We put grief aside for now. ~ Tamora Pierce

You choose tools for a task by their crafting, not their look," a crow said crisply from a nearby tree. He flapped over to land on a barrel in front of the cottage. "A smith's finest hammer will be streaked with soot. ~ Tamora Pierce

Gods curse it, Kel, you heard what he said!"
"I heard a fart," Kel said grimly. You know where those come from. Let it go." -Faleron and Kel ~ Tamora Pierce

Goodwin scowled at her cup. With all due respect, my lord, I hate it when you make sense. ~ Tamora Pierce

Why do boys say someone acts like a girl as if it were an insult? ~ Tamora Pierce

We're men, and men aren't born to stand alone. ~ Tamora Pierce

They are sparkly," Nawat said. "The griffins shed them. I thought if I brought you a present that was made of discarded things, no one would punish you for having them. ~ Tamora Pierce

-ask you to keep an eye on her, keep her safe, and you allow my child to be used in that!"
"Flatten your fur, Weiryn," replied the badger. "What makes you think I had a choice?"
"The Great Ones can find another instrument! Why didn't you tell them so?"
"I did tell them, you horn-headed idiot. They didn't listen. She didn't listen. If you have a complaint, you take it up with the Graveyard Hag. ~ Tamora Pierce

He doesn't need my help coming up with pranks. He's got too many ideas of his own.
- Daja referring to Briar in their first year at Discipline cottage ~ Tamora Pierce

Nestor beckoned to me and I dismounted with care.I handed the reins to the boy with thanks. I do not wish to see that hard-charging bag of bones again, unless it is in my soup. ~ Tamora Pierce

Men died as she watched, and they didn't care about what they had fought for. ~ Tamora Pierce

Pounce had it easier than any of us. No one noticed a black cat in the street. He stopped here and there to sniff aught of interest. Wherever our Rat stopped, Pounce was there, close enough to see up the Rat's nose. I was so proud. Now there was a proper god, making himself useful!
Since my thought might be deemed blasphemy, I said silent prayers to the Goddess and to Mithros. I begged forgiveness and asked them not to misunderstand. Since I wasn't blasted where I stood, I guess they forgave me, or they hadn't heard my blasphemy. ~ Tamora Pierce

Ersken gathered the dice, put them in the cup they had used for play, and tucked it inside one bound Rat's shirt.
"Let that be a lesson to you not to gamble," he told the Rat soberly. "The trickster asks you pay for any luck you may have, one way or another."
"Bless the boy, he's a priest with it," one of the Goddess warriors said with a grin. "After this, laddie, what's say I take you home and rub some of that off yez?"
Ersken actually winked at her! "Forgive me, gracious warrior, but my woman would turn me into something unnatural if I took you up on your kind offer," he replied as if he truly regretted it. "She's a mage and I'd best stay devoted. ~ Tamora Pierce

What's dry?' 'Good question. Next question! ~ Tamora Pierce

You get too excited over big flashes, Tunstall. Mages rely on that to make you think they have more power than you. ~ Tamora Pierce

If we pick a fight, then we're just as bad as them. Combat should be used just to help people who can't defend themselves, period."
"Well, if I don't fight back and they pound on me, then I'm one of the people I should be defending. ~ Tamora Pierce

We can't just act without thinking anymore, Tris. They've been trying to teach as that all along. I guess if we're mages, we can't exactly be kids, can we?
- Sandry after the pirate attack ~ Tamora Pierce

I suppose he could have changed," Neal said dryly. "I myself have noticed my growing resemblance to a daffodil." The other pages snorted.
Kel eyed her friend. "You do look yellow around the edges," she told him, her face quite serious. "I hadn't wanted to bring it up."
"We daffodils like to have things brought up," Neal said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "It reminds us of spring. ~ Tamora Pierce

What has that to do with the price of peas in Persopolis? ~ Tamora Pierce

Don't threaten someone unless you're certain you can carry out the threat. ~ Tamora Pierce

Most important of all, there is no right or wrong way to write - there's only what works for you. I was taught to write every day, but I know a writer (a bestseller at that!) who only writes on weekends. ~ Tamora Pierce

We're just frisking like little captive lambkins. ~ Tamora Pierce

Don't go thinking you can bounce me all over the ground just because I look like somebody's grandmother," the woman said dryly. "Some grandchildren need more raising than others, and I supply it," she grinned, showing very white teeth. -- Esa Bell, Shang Wildcat ~ Tamora Pierce

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? ~ Tamora Pierce

When I told you don't touch me to wake me, ever, because I've been in a war and I react violently, you respected me." For a plant person, Rosethorn could sound like iron when she made a point with someone stupid. "Evvy was in that same war. She fought as hard as any adult - harder, sometimes. Yet you refuse to acknowledge that she may suffer the same effects. ~ Tamora Pierce

You have a destiny. You aren't allowed to know it. ~ Tamora Pierce

She glared at him. "Why are you forever asking hard questions?"
He smiled. "Sooner or later you'll have to be able to answer one."
Daja shoved him, grinning. ~ Tamora Pierce

The Chamber is only a room, though a magical one, and you will enter it when the time comes. Duke Roger is only a man, for all he wields sorcery. He can be met and defeated. But you, my daughter - learn to love. You have been given a hard road to walk. Love will ease it. Much depends on you, Alanna of Trebond. Do not fail me! - The Goddess ~ Tamora Pierce

Stefan spat. Oh, aye, he fell. O' course, Master Ralon helped him fall, several times. Poor li'l tyke didn't have a chance. ~ Tamora Pierce

That's Lalasa, Kel's maid. She sews and knows all sorts of ways to hurt you. ~ Tamora Pierce

Pounce trotted past the newcomers, carrying a black kitten with a white bib and mittens in his mouth. The small creature hung in Pounce's grip, ears flat, hindquarters and tail curled up. It seemed as dejected as a body could be at my cat's handling…
My cat dropped his captive in Aniki's lap. He then lectured her in meows, saying, I cannot let you maul me about. Do it to him.
…Kora grabbed Pounce. "Why her?" she asked, holding Pounce up. "I'm a mage. By rights I should have a cat. You like Aniki more than you like me!"
Ersken said, "I think Pounce is in a giving mood today."
Here came my cat with a second kitten. This one was a light and dark brown ball with thin black stripes and spots. Pounce dropped it in front of Kora. ~ Tamora Pierce

There's plenty more fish in the sea than Prince Jonathan," he told her softly. "And this particular fish loves you with all his crooked heart."
-George to Alanna ~ Tamora Pierce

Sarra looked at her daughter and said reproachfully, "Speaking of war, I never raised you to be always fighting and killing. That's not woman's work."
"It's needful, Ma. You taught me a woman has to know how to defend herself."
"I never!" gasped Sarra, indignant.
"You taught me when you were murdered in your own house," Daine said quietly. ~ Tamora Pierce

Cats must always be cats, even when they are gods, or constellations. ~ Tamora Pierce

I love you," he whispered. "If you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you. ~ Tamora Pierce

Our gods are much too busy in our lives for us to ignore them. (Myles) ~ Tamora Pierce

I would apologize for my rudeness, if I had any manners. Happily, I don't. ~ Tamora Pierce

You've been nipping at cook's wine!! ~ Tamora Pierce

I'm about to commence four years of obeying the cause of a bruiser on a horse. I refuse to put down what might be the last book I see for months. ~ Tamora Pierce

So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world. ~ Tamora Pierce

It was time to work on his trees, to brew medicines and weed the rooftop plants before he forgot who he really was in all this running around. (Briar) ~ Tamora Pierce

At last Niko dropped his hands, and opened his eyes. His perfect tree illusion solidified and settled.
"Very nice," said Briar with approval. "Couldn't have done better myself"
"Couldn't do it at all yourself," muttered Tris.
Briar ignored her. "But you'd never find a cork oak in these parts. Too cold."
Niko looked down his nose at the boy. "I beg your pardon?"
Briar shrugged. "Just thought I'd mention it."
Niko glared. ~ Tamora Pierce

No one asks to live in squalor, Tris. It is just that squalor is all that is left to them by those who have money. ~ Tamora Pierce

Reflect as if you have all of time, even when time is short. ~ Tamora Pierce

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. ~ Tamora Pierce

A library is a gateway to others' minds, hearts, and lives. ~ Tamora Pierce

Rosethorn had gone to her room the moment Niko started to cough. Now she returned with her syrup and a firm look in her eye. "I thought you were having trouble last night. Drink this." She poured some into a cup and held it out to him.
Niko looked at it as if she offered him rotten fish. "I am fine. I am per-" He couldn't even finish the sentence for coughing.
"It's not bad," said Tris, crossing her fingers behind her back. "Really, tastes like-like mangoes."
Niko looked at her, then took the cup and downed its contents. The four watched with interest as his cheeks turned pale, then scarlet. "That's terrible (exclamation point)" he cried, his voice a thin squeak.
"Maybe I was thinking of some other syrup," Tris remarked with a straight face. ~ Tamora Pierce

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. ~ Tamora Pierce

I want to marry her, when I grow up to be a man. ~ Tamora Pierce

I--buy, and I sell."
"You're a thief. ~ Tamora Pierce

Your place in life you can always change, whether you have the gift or not. But you cannot change what the gods have made you. The sooner you accept that, the happier you'll be. ~ Tamora Pierce

When people say a knight's job is all glory, I laugh and laugh and laugh. Often I can stop laughing before they edge away and talk about soothing drinks. ~ Tamora Pierce

I was stark raving mad, and my family was too polite to mention it. That's what living with the Yamanis does to people. They get so well-mannered they won't mention you're crazy. ~ Tamora Pierce

Corus lay on the southern bank of the Oloron River, towers glinting in the sun. The homes of wealthy men lined the river to the north; tanners, smiths, wainwrights, carpenters, and the poor clustered on the bank to the south. The city was a richly colored tapestry: the Great Gate on Kings-bridge, the maze of the Lower City, the marketplace, the tall houses in the Merchants' and the Gentry's quarters, the gardens of the Temple district, the palace. This last was the city's crown and southern border. Beyond it, the royal forest stretched for leagues. It was not as lovely as Berat nor as colorful as Udayapur, but it was Alanna's place. ~ Tamora Pierce

He liked me to help him when he did things. He explained what I didn't know, warned me when to stand aside, never told me to get out of his way because he could do it faster, and thanked me for helping. There were moments when he needed me to rescue him, and he never blamed me for it, or got angry about it. ~ Tamora Pierce

If you aren't having fun, if you aren't anxious to find out what happens next as you write, then not only will you run out of steam on the story, but you won't be able to entertain anyone else, either. ~ Tamora Pierce

The first thing every mage should learn is that magic makes fools of us. Now you may call yourself a mage. You have learned the most important lesson. ~ Tamora Pierce

Does anyone in this land act like they're supposed to? ~ Tamora Pierce

I don't write from dreams because I don't remember mine, but I had a fragment of an image left about twins, whose father was telling them how their lives were going to go for the next eight years. I wrote a scene about that, and then another and then another and then another, and after five months I had 732 pages. ~ Tamora Pierce

I believe that we haven't begun to understand the many forces that bind the physical world, any more than we understand our own minds and what they're capable of. ~ Tamora Pierce

And she told you something about yourself you really ought to know: that you're beautiful, and worth loving. ~ Tamora Pierce

If her rump were any stiffer, she'd break it every time she rides', I thought to Pounce.
'If she fell on the steps, they would never be able to put her together again', he replied. ~ Tamora Pierce

Dreadful sorry mistress. Ma always said I was too silly to die ~ Tamora Pierce

But I've only been at this mage business four years. I have some catching up to do - ~ Tamora Pierce

If you have to hit--hit low. ~ Tamora Pierce

Why do I get the feeling that if you give me a hard time, I'll tell all of our year-mates your family nickname is Meathead? ~ Tamora Pierce

I met the oddest little fellow today, Alan of Trebond. ~ Tamora Pierce

Come on, Stork Boy, aren't you excited? ~ Tamora Pierce

Tris: "What if I don't want to cut up aloe leaves?"
Rosethorn: "Ask me if I care what you want. ~ Tamora Pierce

Raoul: Age and treachery!
Neal: Youth and skill! ~ Tamora Pierce

This is what I've come to," he said mournfully. "Following little birdies ~ Tamora Pierce

Wouldn't
" Kel began to say, but the words stuck in her mouth. She swallowed and tried again. "Wouldn't it be well, not nice to flirt with somebody you don't want to fall in love with? ~ Tamora Pierce

Shut your gob, You tell me nothing in my kennel. Here, I am Queen Bitch, and you will muzzle yourself. Kebibi Ahuda to prisoner ~ Tamora Pierce

Don't you ever get tired of asking questions?'
'Never. They're mother's milk to me. ~ Tamora Pierce

I imbue this place with my essence, every stone and every drop. My visit will do wonders for the flowers."
Aly propped her chin on her hand. "So does manure," she observed. ~ Tamora Pierce

You didn't kill him. He would have killed you, but you didn't kill him."
"So? He was stupid. If I killed everyone who was stupid, I wouldn't have time to sleep. ~ Tamora Pierce

Beka: 'Will you keep me here forever? My hands are sticky.'
Dale: 'I'll lick the honey off, ~ Tamora Pierce

Oh! I'm stupid as well as insane. ~ Tamora Pierce

Where everyone else sees a straight line, you see a maze, and when I'm done talking to you, the maze starts to make more sense
Reply by Dove to Aly's silent inquiry ~ Tamora Pierce

You've learned to hate. Now you must learn to forgive, or you'll have enemies at your back forever. He looked my straight in the eyes. That will be hard. The harder the goal, the more important it is, I said. ~ Tamora Pierce

They returned to the gallery and circled its rim, then went down a short hall. Scrap's tail twitched angrily when they reached Tristan's door: it was shut. Daine grabbed the knob. It stung her hand, making her yelp. "Kit? This ones magicked. Can you do anything?"
Kitten stood on her hind feet and peered into the lock, then whistled two cheerful notes. Nothing happened. She scowled and whistled again, less cheerfully, more as a demand. Nothing happened.
Daine was trying to decide what to do now when the dragon moved back and croaked. The lock popped from the wood to land at Daine's feet, smoking, and the door swung open. Kitten muttered darkly and kicked the lock mechanism aside as she went in. Daine followed, trying not to laugh. ~ Tamora Pierce

Don't call me 'gentleman'. I work for a livin'. ~ Tamora Pierce

I myself have noticed my growing resemblance to a daffodil. ~ Tamora Pierce

She decided to be quiet for now. There was a Yamani saying: "You need never unsay anything that you did not say in the first place. ~ Tamora Pierce