40 Best Brandon Sanderson Quotes

“I am the law.”

Wax says this to a criminal in the Roughs, establishing his identity as a lawman.

“You're a fool, Wax. But you're a fool with a gun.”

Wayne says this to Wax, acknowledging his friend's stubbornness and skill.

“The world is changing, Wax. You can't stop it.”

A character remarks on the technological and social changes happening in Elendel.

“I'm not a nobleman. I'm a lawman.”

Wax says this to someone who expects him to act like a noble, showing his internal conflict.

“Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to shoot it.”

Wayne's humorous take on problem-solving.

“The most important step a man can take. It's not the first one, is it? It's the next one. Always the next step.”

Dalinar's realization during his flashback, as he reflects on his past and the need to move forward.

“I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.”

Dalinar's oath as he confronts his past and commits to redemption.

“Sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a man in the process of changing.”

Dalinar's reflection on his own hypocrisy and the possibility of change.

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.”

A quote from the book's epigraph, attributed to the in-world author Hoid.

“I will protect those I hate. Even if the one I hate most is myself.”

Kaladin's internal oath as he confronts his self-loathing and decides to continue protecting others.

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.”

A piece of advice given to Kaladin by a character, emphasizing the need to embrace all emotions.

“The enemy is not the Fused. The enemy is the war itself.”

A reflection by Navani as she considers the futility of the endless conflict.

“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.”

The First Ideal of the Knights Radiant, spoken by Kaladin and other Radiants.

“I will protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Kaladin's personal oath as a Windrunner, reflecting his commitment to protect the innocent.

“There's always another secret.”

Kelsier says this to Vin early in the book, hinting at the hidden layers of the world and the Lord Ruler's power.

“I am the Survivor of Hathsin.”

Kelsier declares this to the skaa, using his survival as a symbol of hope and resistance.

“The Lord Ruler is not a god. He is a man, and men can be killed.”

Kelsier tells Vin, emphasizing that the Lord Ruler is mortal and can be defeated.

“You cannot kill a man who is already dead.”

Kelsier says this to Vin, referring to his own willingness to die for the cause.

“The only way to defeat a monster is to become one.”

Vin reflects on the necessity of embracing her darker side to fight the Lord Ruler.

“The Lord Ruler was a tyrant. But he was a tyrant who brought order. We have freedom, but we have chaos.”

A character reflects on the state of Elendel compared to the old empire.

“Sometimes the best way to help someone is to let them help themselves.”

Wayne offers a piece of his philosophy to Wax during a conversation about Steris.

“You can't protect people from the truth. You can only protect them from the lies.”

Marasi speaks about the importance of honesty in the investigation.

“I'm not a hero. I'm just a man who does what needs to be done.”

Wax says this to Wayne after a particularly dangerous encounter.

“The past is a ghost. It follows you, but it can't hurt you unless you let it.”

Wayne tries to comfort Wax about his memories of Lessie.

“The most important step a man can take is the next one.”

Wax reflects on his journey and the need to keep moving forward despite loss.

“I am a weapon, and I will be used for good.”

Wax declares his resolve to fight for justice, even as he struggles with his nature.

“You can't save everyone, but you can save someone.”

Marasi comforts a colleague, emphasizing the importance of individual acts of heroism.

“The past is a weight, but it doesn't have to be an anchor.”

Wayne reflects on his past and his decision to move forward.

“We are the ones who must choose what to do with the power we have.”

Wax speaks to his allies about the responsibility that comes with their abilities.

“I am not a fool. I know that life is a wonderful thing to waste.”

Raoden says this to himself early in the novel, reflecting on his situation as an Elantrian.

“Faith is not about certainty. It is about trust.”

Hrathen's internal reflection as he struggles with his beliefs.

“The only way to get what you want is to help others get what they want.”

Sarene's advice to a political ally, showing her diplomatic philosophy.

“I am not a hero. I am a man who refuses to give up.”

Raoden's response to a companion who calls him a hero.

“The Last Battle will be fought, and the Dragon Reborn will face the Dark One. But the outcome is not set in stone.”

A prophecy or statement made by a character, possibly Min or a Foretelling, emphasizing the uncertainty of the final confrontation.

“There are no endings, and never will be endings, to the turning of the Wheel of Time.”

A recurring theme from the series, often spoken by Rand or other characters, reflecting the cyclical nature of time.

“It was never about me. It was about all of us.”

A line spoken by Rand in the final confrontation, realizing that the victory was achieved through the collective efforts of everyone.

“The Light is not a thing to be held, but a thing to be shared.”

A philosophical statement, possibly from Egwene or Rand, about the nature of hope and unity.

“You cannot have a meaningful life without having a meaningful death.”

A reflection from a character on the nature of sacrifice and purpose.

“The journey is more important than the destination.”

A thematic statement that appears in various forms throughout the series, emphasizing growth over outcome.

“The Hero of Ages was not a person. It was a force.”

Sazed's realization about the true nature of the Hero of Ages, which is not a single individual but the combined power of Preservation and Ruin.