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.

Change itself is neither good nor bad, but knowledge is always useful.

Anger is poison. You must purge it from your mind or else it will corrupt your better nature.

But anyone with the time and the inclination can acquire technical proficiency. To achieve greatness, though, that requires artistry. That requires imagination and thoughtfulness.

You must be willing to protect yourself and what you cherish, no matter what the cost.

I have 20 or 30 books completely plotted out in my mind - mysteries, thrillers, horror, romance, science fiction. You name it.

My heart died a while back. [Eragon]