Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson in 2010

Brandon Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American fantasy author. He has been nominated twice for the John W. Campbell Award. He has also won a Hugo Award and been nominated for two other Hugo Awards, and for a World Fantasy Award.

Quotes

Elantris (2005)

All page numbers are from the trade paperback tenth anniversary edition published by Tor Books ISBN 978-0-7653-8102-6

• Hrathen turned to Dial. “The first step in taking control of a nation, Arteth, is the simplest. You find someone to hate.”
  • Chapter 6 (p. 86)

• You will find that hate can unify people more quickly and more fervently than devotion ever could.
  • Chapter 6 (p. 89)

• “Eventually I found the best source of information to be the soldiers with guard the city walls.”
  “I’ve heard of them,” Sarene said, looking over her clothing. “They’re supposed to be the most elite fighting group in Arelon.”
  “And they are very quick to tell you so, my lady,” Ashe said. “I doubt many of them would know what to do in a battle, though they seem quite proficient at cards and drinking. They tend to keep their uniforms well pressed, however.”
  • Chapter 14 (p. 186)

• Men often place pride before reason.
  • Chapter 20 (p. 273)

• “I do, however, wonder why you preach hatred of the Atlantans when you yourself simply pity them.”
  Hrathen didn’t respond immediately, tapping his gauntleted finger against the stone parapet with a repetitive click. “It’s not so hard, once you accustom yourself to it,” he finally said. “A man can force himself to hate if he wishes, especially if he convinces himself that it is for a higher good.”
  • Chapter 21 (p. 286)

• “I suppose an optimistic comment wouldn’t do much good right now.”
  Galladon smiled slightly. “Definitely not—you optimists just can’t understand that a depressed person doesn’t want you to try and cheer them up. It makes us sick.”
  • Chapter 25 (p. 324)

• You have to expect a measure of subterfuge in any political engagement.
  • Chapter 26 (p. 331)

• They needed to work and improve their own lives, not wait for some external miracle.
  • Chapter 37 (p. 402)

• For the man whose religion claims to spread truth, priest, your lies are strikingly vulgar.
  • Chapter 47 (p. 449)

Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)

• There's always another secret.
  • Kelsier, at various points during the novel

• [..] overthrowing the Final Empire seems like a good start. Are there any religions on your list that include the slaughter of noblemen as a holy duty?
  • Kelsier, Chapter 10

• I've always been very confident in my immaturity.
  • Kelsier, Chapter 12

• That's the funny thing about arriving somewhere, Vin. Once you're there, the only thing you can really do is leave again
  • Kelsier, Chapter 13

Warbreaker (2009)

• "Surprisingly, it was in my mouth," he said, "I always forget to check there."
  • Lightsong the Bold

• I try to avoid having thoughts. They lead to other thoughts, and—if you're not careful—those lead to actions. Actions make you tired. I have this on rather good authority from someone who once read it in a book.
  • Lightsong the Bold

• You see the great thing about madness is that it's all in your head.
  • Lightsong the Bold

• … imaginary things were often the only items of real substance in people's lives.
  • Lightsong the Bold

• "That could be solved," Siri said, "Perhaps it would help if you refrained from speaking when others are present. I think I should find you quite amiable in those circumstances."
  • Siri

• The motivations of men. They never make sense. And they always make sense.
  • Denth

• Every man is a hero in his own story, Princess.
  • Denth

• "Of course not," she agreed, "You are nothing if not exhaustive in your self-congratulatory made-up logic."
  • Blushweaver

• "I have a headache"
  "You can't get headaches"
  "So you're fond of telling me."
  • Lightsong the Bold and Llarimar

The Way of Kings (2010)

• "The nature of morality must be considered, and preferably before one is exposed to situations where a moral decision is required."
  • Jasnah Kholin

• "The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon."
  • Hoid

• "At times, it seems to me that to be human is to want that which we cannot have. For some, this is power. For me, it is peace."
  • Nohadon