Runemarks Quotes

“In any case, fire burns; that's its nature, and you can't expect to change that. You can use it to cook your meat or to burn down your neighbor's house. And is the fire you use for cooking any different from the one you use for burning? And does that mean you should eat your supper raw?"

Maddy shook her head, still puzzled. "So what you're saying is . . . I shouldn't play with fire," she said at last.

Of course you should," said One-Eye gently. "But don't be surprised if the fire plays back.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“A thing named is a thing tamed.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“The dead know everything but they don't give a damn.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“A man may plant a tree for a number of reasons. Perhaps he likes trees. Perhaps he wants shelter. Or perhaps he knows that someday he may need the firewood.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“I speak as I must and cannot be silent.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Gods? Don't let that impress you. Anyone can be a god if they have enough worshippers. You don't even have to have powers anymore. In my time I've seen theatre gods, gladiator gods, even storyteller gods - you people see gods everywhere. Gives you an excuse for not thinking for yourselves.
God is just a word. Like Fury. like demon, Just words people use for things they don't understand. Reverse it and you get dog. It's just as appropriate.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“But I rather thought--I mean, I heard you'd killed Balder the Fair."
"I never did," snapped Loki crossly. "Well, no one ever proved I did. What happened to the presumption of innocence? Besides, he was supposed to be invulnerable. Was it my fault that he wasn't?”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“I know you,” said Maddy. “You’re -“
“What’s a name?” Loki grinned. “Wear it like a coat; turn it, burn it, throw it aside, and borrow another. One-Eye knows; you should ask him.”
“But Loki died,” she said, shaking her head. “He died on the field at Ragnarok.”
“Not quite.” He pulled a face. “You know there’s rather a lot the Oracle didn’t foretell, and old tales have a habit of getting twisted.”
“But in any case, that was centuries ago,” Maddy said bewildered. “I mean - that was the End of the World, wasn’t it?”
“So?” said Loki impatiently. “This isn’t the first time the world has come to an end, and it won’t be the last either.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Was it my fault that I got out of hand?
--Loki”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“As she grew older, Maddy discovered that she had disappointed almost everyone. An awkward girl with a sullen mouth, a curtain of hair, and a tendency to slouch, she had neither Mae's sweet nature nor sweet face. Her eyes were rather beautiful, but few people ever noticed this, and it was widely believed Maddy was ugly, a troublemaker, too clever for her own good, too stubborn - or too slack - to change.
Of course, folk agreed that it was not her fault she was so brown or her sister so pretty, but a smile costs nothing, as the saying goes, and if only the girl had made an effort once in a while, or even showed a little gratitude for all the help and free advice, then maybe she would have settled down.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“You seem to know a lot about it," she said. "And you do subtleties."
"Yeah. Like I've always wanted to destroy the Nine Worlds while committing suicide."
"Well, there's no need to be rude," protested Sif.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“A named thing is a tamed thing.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Nat Parson says it's the devil's mark."
"Nat Parson's a gobshite."
Maddy was torn between a natural feeling of sacrilege and a deep admiration of anyone who dared call a parson 'gobshite.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Anything that can be dreamed is true.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Our lives are like these things I make. Turn 'em, build 'em, bake 'em in fire. That's what you've been, son. Baked and fired. But a pot don't have the right to choose whether he be for water, wine, or just left empty. You have, son. You have.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“And so Nat stood up and joined the group, and followed, and watched, and awaited his chance as the light of Chaos lit the plain and gods and demons marched to war.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“I don't understand a word you're saying," snapped Odin.
"That's because you're throttlin' me, sir," said Sugar.
Odin loosened his grip.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“I'm warning you now," said Freyja stiffly, "I have...certain issues...with Loki." (Maddy wondered briefly whether there was anyone in the Nine Worlds who didn't have issues with Loki.)”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Thor looked at Maddy. "What d'you mean, Father?"
He had loosened his grip on Loki, who was now flattened against the cell wall as far from Jormungand as he could manage while Ellie, incensed at this latest invasion, lashed out at the serpent with her walking stick.
"Terrific," said Loki under his breath. "Come to Netherworld. Meet the kids.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Your wolf is eating that man. I thought you should know.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“For a teller of tales will never die, but will live on in stories - for as long as there are folk to listen.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Porque um contador de histórias não morre nunca, mantém-se sempre vivo nas suas histórias enquanto houver álguem para as ouvir.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“For a teller of tales will never die, but will live on in stories--for as long as there are folk to listen.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“One-Eye, who had collected tales like they were penknives, or butterflies, or stones.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Everything was linked: sorrow and joy, healing and loss, beginning and ending, and all the seasons in between.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“What is it that the slave dreams? The slave dreams of being the master.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“A problem shared is a problem solved.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Please!" yelled Loki. "I am not being noble!”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Seven o'clock on a Monday morning, five hundred years after the End of the World, and goblins had been at the cellar again.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks

“Fred Potter voltou-se para o filho e sorriu. Estás a ver?, disse. AS nossas vidas são como as coisas que fazemos. Damos-lhe forma, construímo-las e levamo-las ao forno. É assim, meu filho, somos moldados e levados ao lume. Mas um jarro não tem possibilidade de escolher se quer conter água, vinho ou ficar simplesmente vazio. Tu tens, filho. Tu tens.”
― Joanne Harris, Runemarks