Inheritance Quotes

“Why does everything have to be so hard? [Eragon] wondered.

Because, said Saphira, everyone wants to eat, but no one wants to be eaten.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“It's impossible to go through life unscathed. Nor should you want to. By the hurts we accumulate, we measure both our follies and our accomplishments.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“When you teach them-teach them not to fear. Fear is good in small amounts, but when it is a constant, pounding companion, it cuts away at who you are and makes it hard to do what you know is right.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“I am not who I was,' he whispered, gripping the edges of the column, 'but I know who I am.'...
'And I won't give up.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“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?”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“You cannot learn what you are made of if you rely on anyone or anything else to help you.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“As he was about to leave, she said, "Murtagh."
He paused and turned to regard her.
She hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and said, "Why?" She thought he understood her meaning: Why her? Why save her, and now why try to rescue her? She had guessed at the answer, but she wanted to hear him say it.
He stared at her for the longest while, and then, in a low, hard voice, he said, "You know why.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“If you don't make a few ememies now and then, you're a coward-or worse. Besides, it as worth it to see his reaction. Oh, he was angry!
- Angela to Eragon”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“HERE LIES BROM
Who was
A Rider bonded to the dragon Saphira
Son of Holcomb and Nelda
Beloved of Selena
Father of Eragon Shadeslayer
Founder of the Varden
And Bane of the Forsworn.
May his name live on in glory.
Stydja unin mo'ranr”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“She lowered her head until it was at his level. He stroked the line of her jaw, and then pressed his forehead against her hard snout and held her as tightly as he could, her scales sharp against his fingers. Hot tears began to slide down his cheeks.
'Why do you cry?' she asked.
'Because... I'm lucky enough to be bonded with you.'
'Little one.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“It was as if his point of view had, within seconds, gone from that of an ant to that of an eagle.
For the sky was hollow, and the world was round.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“He's acting as foolish as a kitten... but then, everyone's entitled to a little foolishness once in a while.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“The future will be what it will, and fretting about it will only make your fears more likely to come true.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“What have you done?' he said, his voice hollow and strained. He stepped back and put his fists to his temples. 'What have you done!'
With an effort, Eragon said, 'Made you understand.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Learn to see what you are looking at.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Eragon cried out, and in his desperation he reached for Saphira and the Eldunarí... and without meaning to, he drew from their stories of energy.
And with that energy he cast a spell.
It was a spell without words... His was a spell of instinct and emotion; language could not contain it.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“I'm not the person I once was. I have Thorn now, and... I'm not fighting for myself anymore....It makes a difference....I used to think you were a fool to keep risking your life as you have...I know better now. I understand...why. I understand...' His [Murtagh] eyes widened and his grimace relaxed, as if his pain was forgotten, and an inner light seemed to illuminate his features. 'I understand-we understand.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“The name, his true name, was weaker and more flawed than he would have liked, and he hated himself for that, but there was also much to admire within it, and the more he thought about it, the more he was able to accept the true nature of his self. He was not the best person in the world, but neither was he the worst.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“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, Inheritance

“Then, as they stood there, struggling back and forth without avail, Eragon said in a low fierce voice, "I...see...you."
A bright spark appeared in Arya's eyes, then vanished just as quickly.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“In El-harím, there lived a man, a man with yellow eyes.
To me, he said, "Beware the whispers, for they whisper lies.
Do not wrestle with the demons of the dark,
Else upon your mind they'll place a mark;
Do not listen to the shadows of the deep,
Else they haunt you even when you sleep.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Arya.' He looked down the silvery river and then back at Arya, and he gripped the hilt of Brisingr. He was so full of emotion, he trembled. He did not want to leave, but he knew he must. 'Stay with me-'
Her gaze darted up. 'I cannot.'
'...stay with me until the first curve in the river.'
She hesitated, then nodded.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Even the smallest of the starlings' concerns grew in importance until it seemed equal to the worries of kings.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Change itself is neither good nor bad, but knowledge is always useful.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Haven't had your fill of interesting events?"
"Never. They are the spice of life." She held up her half-finished hat. "How do you like it?"
"It's nice. The blue is pretty. But what do the runes say?"
"Raxacori-Oh, never mind. It wouldn't mean a thing to you anyway. Safe travels to you and Saphira, Eragon. And remember to watch out for earwigs and wild hamsters.  Ferocious things, wild hamsters." ”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Why?' - Nasuada
'You know why' - Murtagh”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Go slowly, so that you do not bite your tail by accident.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Anger has its place, but it will not serve you here, the way of the warrior is the way of knowing. Of that knowledge requires you to use anger, then you use anger, but you cannot wrest forth knowledge by losing your temper.”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“Let go of your worries and focus
only on the task at hand. The future will be what it will, and fretting about it will only make your fears more likely to come true .
I know,"--Glaedr”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance

“But anyone with the time and the inclination can acquire technical proficiency. To achieve greatness, though, that requires artistry. That requires imagination and thoughtfulness...”
― Christopher Paolini, Inheritance