A Tale of Magic... Quotes

“Ignorance is a choice. Hatred is a choice. Violence is a choice. But someone’s existence is never a choice, or a fault, and it’s certainly not a crime. You would be wise to educate yourself.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Revenge is a double-edged sword. The longer you hold it the deeper you cut yourself”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“I can't imagine a greater compliment for an author than making the banned book section.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Listen carefully Brystal, because this is the most important lesson I will ever teach you," she said. "Don't make the same mistakes I made. No matter how cruel or unfair the world becomes, never forfeit your happiness. And no matter how poorly someone treats you, never let anyone's hate rob you of compassion. The battle of good and evil isn't fought on a battlefield - it begins in each and every one of us. Don't let your anger choose sides for you.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Personally, I think life is way too complicated for anyone's fate to be set in stone," Brystal said.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Brystal shook her head and stared at her teacher in disbelief.
"I don't get it," she said. "After everything you've been through, how do you manage to stay so optimistic? Why aren't you angry all the time?"
Madame Weatherberry went quiet as she thought about Brystal's question, and then a confident smile grew on her face.
"Because we're the lucky ones," she said. "To fight for love and acceptance is to know love and acceptance. And anyone who actively tries to steal these qualities from others is admitting they've never known love at all. The people who want to hate and hurt us are so deprived of compassion they believe the only way to fill the voids in their hearts is to create voids in the hearts of others. So I render them powerless by refusing to accept their voids."
Brystal let out a deep sigh and looked hopelessly to the floor.
"It's a nice philosophy," she said. "It just seems easier said than done."
Madame Weatherberry reached across her desk and squeezed Brystals hand.
"We must pity the people who choose to hate, Brystal," she said. "Their lives will never be as meaningful as the lives filled with love.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Because if we want a better world, we have to be better than the world,”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Hatred is like fire and no one can extinguish it by giving it fuel.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“I'll never understand why you chose violence as a road to peace, I'll never understand why you chose fear as a remedy to hate, but I will not repeat your mistakes. If I'm going to continue down the path you've paved, then I'm going to walk it at my own pace.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“I've always thought fairies were better than witches - and I liked feeling better than something else. It helped me cope with all the hatred the world sent us. Believing I was born that way made me feel valuable - like the universe was on my side."
"Me too," Skylene said. "And we hated witches just like humankind hates us. But now we know we're not better than witches - and we're not any better than humankind, either."
Brystal knelt in front of her troubled friends and placed a hand on both of their knees.
"We're all just a couple of mistakes away from becoming the people we despise," she said. "So don't think worse of yourself, but let this change how you think of yourself. Start valuing who you are, more than what you are. Prove you're better than most people by showing more acceptance and empathy. And fuel your pride with what you earn and create, instead of what you're born with.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“You just had a bad day. And you should never let one day change who you are. We can never be certain about anything in life - especially if we only experience it once.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“It was a brutal dose of reality," Brystal said "I've always known the world hated people like us, but I never thought someone would actually want to hurt me. It all feels so personal now."
"Everyone thinks they're immune to discrimination until it happens to them," Madame Weatherberry said. "It only takes one tragic event to change your perspective forever."
Brystal nodded. "Last night, those men spoke to us like we were objects without feelings or souls. We pleaded for our lives and told them they were making a mistake, but they didn't even flinch. And although we did nothing wrong, they acted like we . . . like we . . . well, I don't know how to say it."
"Like you deserved to be punished simply for existing," Madame Weatherberry said.
"Exactly," Brystal said.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“If we let one experience destroy our faith in an entire species, then we’re no better than the people who hurt us.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“We all know how terrible keeping a secret can feel. Secrets are like parasites - the longer you keep them inside you, the more damage they cause.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“The patient bird gets the worm," Skylene said with a confident nod. "That's another classic phrase."
Tangerina rolled her eyes and pulled her friend aside.
"Skylene, the phrase is 'The early bird gets the worm," she said. "It's supposed to encourage people to wake up early."
"Oh," Skylene said. "But that's not very encouraging for an early worm.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Why would you want to help the people who did that to you?" Emerelda asked.
"Because if we want a better world, we have to be better than the world," Madame Weatherberry said. "If we let one experience destroy our faith in an entire species, then we're no better than the people who hurt us. Just like in the magical community, there is good and evil in humanity, and now more than ever, they need to be reminded of the goodness in their hearts. Our pursuit of acceptance could be the example humankind needs to change its ways - it could inspire them to finally value their compassion over their hatred. We could create a new era where the world respects not just us, but those from all walks of life.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“What you've experienced is nothing short of tragic - but a tragic beginning doesn't mean you have to have a tragic ending. I know it feels like the end of the world right now, but you are not as alone as you think you are. there is an entire community of people just like you who can help you through this trying time and teach you to control your abilities.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“if we want a better world, we have to be better than the world,”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“We must pity the people who choose to hate... Their lives will never be as meaningful as the lives filled with love."- Madam Weatherberry”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic, A Tale of Magic...

“The tragic story made Brystal so angry her eyes welled.
"They just wanted to be together," she said. "Why did humankind have to tear them apart? I'll never understand why the world hates a community that just wants to be loved and accepted. I'll never understand why people are so cruel to us."
It's not about the prey, it's about the hunt," Madame Weatherberry said. "Humankind has always needed something to hate and fear to unite them. After all, if they had nothing to conquer and triumph over, they'd have nothing to fuel their sense of superiority. And some men would destroy the world for an ounce of self-worth.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“No one is expecting you to be perfect except yourself. And seeking perfection is a side effect of the oppression you've endured. So let's start our conversation by addressing that."
"I don't understand," she said. "Are you saying the Southern Kingdom turned me into a perfectionist?"
"Just like many members of the magical community, at some point, society made you believe that your flaws were worse than anyone else's flaws," the fairy explained. "And now, consequently, you've convinced yourself that being flawless is the only way to gain approval Having such impossible standards is no way to live life, and it's certainly not the way to get an education. On the contrary, if you're going to be successful at this academy, you need to embrace your flaws and learn from your mistakes, or you'll never know what challenges you're here to overcome.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Welcome to your very first lesson," she was happy to announce. "Before we begin, I have one question to ask you. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a wound and a scar? Between weakness and strength? And between hatred and love?"
Emerelda raised her hand. "Is it time?" she asked.
"Correct!" Madame Weatherberry cheered.
"How did you know that?" Tangerina asked.
"She's an hour late and she's dressed in clocks," Emerelda said. "I figured it was a safe bet."
"Time is the most complex device in the universe," Madame Weatherberry went on. "It is both the problem and the solution to most of life's dilemmas. It heals all wounds, but in the end, it takes us all. Unfortunately, time is rarely in anyone's favor. We have too little or too much but never the time we want or need. Sometimes we're born into a time that doesn't value us, and too often, we let those times determine how we value ourselves. So for your first assignment, you are going to get rid of any unfavorable opinions, insecurities, or self-hatred that the times have instilled within you. If we are going to successfully change the world's perspective of us, we must start by hanging our perspective of ourselves.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“From the moment we're born, women are brainwashed to prioritize motherhood and marriage over intellect and personal fulfillment. We're handed baby dolls and aprons and told our greatest contributions are accomplished in the nursery and the kitchen. But that lie is as damaging as it is degrading, because a kingdom is only as strong as its weakest citizen! And a society with unjust limitations is less likely to prevail than a country of equal opportunity
When a nation segregates any percentage of its population, it only segregates a percentage of its potential! So for the sake of the kingdom, it is time for women to stand together and demand a new government that values every citizen's thoughts, ideas, and morals. Then and only then will our country journey into realms of prosperity it has never seen before.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Remember, the law is history, and history is just another story. Each of these events had a prequel and a sequel - a cause and an effect. Before you answer, put all the facts you know on an imaginary timeline. Find the contradictions, focus on what's missing, and then fill in the blanks the best you can.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Magic is not a choice," Madame Weatherberry said sharply. "Ignorance is a choice. Hatred is a choice. Violence is a choice. But someone's existence is never a choice, or a fault, and it's certainly not a crime.”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Everyone thinks they’re immune to discrimination until it happens to them,”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“It’s possible to love a person beyond their demons,”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“She wasn’t going to waste any more time living in fear. She wasn’t going to spend another ounce of energy worrying. She was done with waiting and hoping”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“Think of all the time you spent hating yourself! Think of all the days you lived in fear of being discovered! Think of all the people who told you it was wrong to be who you are! Think of how badly you wanted to change into someone else!”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...

“I know part of you still hates yourself for being different! Part of you still lives in fear of the truth! Part of you still believes you don’t deserve to exist! And part of you still believes you’ll never be loved for who you are! I know how you feel, because we all feel that way!”
― Chris Colfer, A Tale of Magic...