Favorite Quotes from Stormlight 1-5

[Vielence She/Her]

I love Kal, so his "Honor is dead but I'll see what I can do" is my fav.

Plus Shallan and her "No apologize! Boots!"

What are some of your favorite quotes and why?

 

[Hexagonal He/Him]

One of my favorite quotes is from Kaladin and Amaram's fight in OB, where Kaladin remarks that he is the spear that did not break. It is such a powerful line that really builds up his character of determination.

[ShatteredDiamond She/Her]

"I once spent the better part of a year inside of a large stomach being digested. You should really be more specific."

-Hoid

"I am a stick."

-Stick

[Vielence She/Her]

2 hours ago, ShatteredDiamond said:

"I once spent the better part of a year inside of a large stomach being digested. You should really be more specific."

-Hoid

"I am a stick."

-Stick

Yesssss. 

The scene in I think it was in WoR, when he insulted Amaram. "A hammer would do wonders for that face of yours"

 

[ShatteredDiamond She/Her]

oooh or

“I ain't grouchy, I just have a low threshold for stupidity."

-Teft

[EdgedancerJacob he/him]

Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before.......... pancakes. 

[Vielence She/Her]

On 4/21/2025 at 4:16 PM, EdgedancerJacob said:

Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before.......... pancakes. 

Bahahahaha The Lopen 

"How many cousins do you have?"

[Lord Stormer]

The sentimental quotes are here to stay, but I love the introspective ones. Actually I'd skimmed my notes just to post something here. Not exactly quotes, but scenes with quotes that matter. I'll give explanation why these are personally profound.

Kaladin Speaks the Third Ideal - Words of Radiance, Ch. 84

Quote

"If I protect..." He coughed. "If I protect... only the people I like, it means that I don't care about doing what is right." If he did that, he only cared about what was convenient for himself.

That wasn't protecting. That was selfishness.

***

"I will protect even those I hate," Kaladin whispered through bloody lips. "So long as it is right."

A Shardblade appeared in Moash's hands.

A distant rumbling. Thunder.

THE WORDS ARE ACCEPTED, the Stormfather said reluctantly.

"Kaladin!" Syl's voice. "Stretch forth thy hand!" She zipped around him, suddenly visible as a ribbon of light.

"I can't..." Kaladin said, drained.

"Stretch forth thy hand!"

I hadn't realized how spectacular the scene on my first read, though I understand the weight of Kaladin's conscience pressing against speaking the Third Ideal. This was a man's willingness to protect a hated king who was indirectly responsible for his brother's death. Elhokar represented pretty much everything Kaladin despised and the betrayals he endured by lighteyes. And he said that in front of Moash, who had been arguably the man Kaladin trusted the most just a few days before. From 5 Kaladin's Ideals, this should be the hardest - knowing his grudge and brokeness were still open wounds. The moral weight is realistically represented.

Shallan Opens up to Adolin - Rhythm of War, Ch. 32

Quote

"Shallan is worried that the person you see in her is a lie. That the person you love is a lie. And it's not only you. Pattern, Dalinar, Jasnah, Navani - she worries that they all don't know the real her.

"Because of things that happened to her - and more, some of the things she was forced to do - she's beginning to think that 'Shallan' is the fake one, the false identity. That there is a monster deep inside that is her real self. She fears it's inevitable that the truth will come out, and everyone will leave her when it does."

I was awestruck at first read. It just perfectly describes of Shallan's situation - and (unfortunately) myself. No other quotes in the Stormlight Archive does it as good - not even close. Pretty much the lines that established Shallan as my favorite character. You'll understand the words much more if you had been there. The depth entices me to think Shallan is to an extent Brandon's self-insert.

I'm not a DID (disassociative identity disorder) sufferer. I had OCD for 12 years already, but that involves me worrying people thinks that I'm hiding everyone something - some sort of thoughts. Almost a year on, and I am STILL reeling how stormingly fortunate I ended up reading this series. It hadn't been a recommendation, just me daring myself to read long fantasy novels as never before.

So let me speak the first point - I will try though I'm not a psychologist. Shallan developed Veil and Radiant to reliquish Shallan from further moral responsibilities. Think of "I got someone to kill, but I can't stand breaking my soul further with this sin, so I'm going to be another person, and person has nothing to do with the one I'm now." In Shallan's case that would be Veil. Veil kills, and reverts to Shallan. Shallan wouldn't know that her body committed it (like Ialai's assassination), and even if she does, it's actually pretty easy to reattribute the blame. And it's easy believe in that. In such condition your mind believes in twisted rules of common sense that others may find absurd.

Now let's get to the second point. In Rhythm of War Shallan began to embrace and re-integrate Veil and Radiant, but after being so long confined in her coping mechanism, coming back together meant pain. It's hard for her to believe that she can live a life outside her comfort circle. Now that Shallan's curated personalities began to fall apart, she can no longer hide every fault.

When you realized the face you've shown to people hadn't been genuine and the truth began to emerge, but you have no reason to convince that your darker side is not you. If they find out... I can understand that.

Edited April 29, 2025 by Lord Stormer

[AquaRegia he/him]

Oathbringer, the Battle of Thaylen Field.

Dalinar: "Do you have a weapon?"

Lift: "Nope. Can't read."

I can't explain it, but in a series just chock full of perfect moments, THIS ONE sticks with me more than any other.

[Vielence She/Her]

On 4/28/2025 at 12:40 PM, AquaRegia said:

Oathbringer, the Battle of Thaylen Field.

Dalinar: "Do you have a weapon?"

Lift: "Nope. Can't read."

I can't explain it, but in a series just chock full of perfect moments, THIS ONE sticks with me more than any other.

Me (singing):

booksbooksbooksbooksbooksbooksbooks BOOOOOOKKKKSSSS

[Clarkmon22 He/Him]

NO MATING

[Ink and Embers Any pronouns]

"That was another thing I stole. Myself."

This has always been one of my favourites, just because the idea that you can steal yourself is really powerful for me. You have to realise that you don't own yourself, then that there are no other options, and then once you've stolen yourself, you don't have to exist in the legal parameters of what society wants from you. 

Probably not what it's supposed to mean, but that's how I interpreted it. I'm very fond of this one. 

 

[AnAirSickFool]

this one after Kaladin finds out that Adolin locked himself in a cell in solidarity.

Kaladin "Wait. Are you wearing cologne? In Prison?

Adolin "Well, there was no need to be barbaric, just because I was incarcerated"

I always liked this because it shows a lot about Adolin's character.

[Vielence She/Her]

On 11/14/2025 at 3:31 PM, Clarkmon22 said:

NO MATING

WaT minor spoilers 

Spoiler

“What do you mean? It’s allowed, even encouraged now”

 

18 hours ago, Ink and Embers said:

"That was another thing I stole. Myself."

This has always been one of my favourites, just because the idea that you can steal yourself is really powerful for me. You have to realise that you don't own yourself, then that there are no other options, and then once you've stolen yourself, you don't have to exist in the legal parameters of what society wants from you. 

Probably not what it's supposed to mean, but that's how I interpreted it. I'm very fond of this one. 

 

See, interpreting book quotes odd ways is one of the main themes of this site I think so you’re good

5 hours ago, AnAirSickFool said:

this one after Kaladin finds out that Adolin locked himself in a cell in solidarity.

Kaladin "Wait. Are you wearing cologne? In Prison?

Adolin "Well, there was no need to be barbaric, just because I was incarcerated"

I always liked this because it shows a lot about Adolin's character.

Speaking of Adolins character…

*cries* 

I just reread WaT (while having a cold. Was not the best idea) and all the scenes where Kaladin picked up a spear were so beautifully done I was weeping. Him dancing with Syl was one of the most touching scenes. 

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

3 minutes ago, VieB13 said:

WaT minor spoilers 

  Hide contents

“What do you mean? It’s allowed, even encouraged now”

 

See, interpreting book quotes odd ways is one of the main themes of this site I think so you’re good

Speaking of Adolins character…

*cries* 

I just reread WaT (while having a cold. Was not the best idea) and all the scenes where Kaladin picked up a spear were so beautifully done I was weeping. Him dancing with Syl was one of the most touching scenes. 

You needn't tag; all Stormlight spoilers are allowed here.

[Vielence She/Her]

Just now, KaladinsSenseOfHumorSpren said:

You needn't tag; all Stormlight spoilers are allowed here.

Noted thank you

[al_lan_mandragoran]

If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.

- Dalinar

 

I am not a thing.

- Nightblood

On 4/29/2025 at 1:40 AM, AquaRegia said:

Dalinar: "Do you have a weapon?"

Lift: "Nope. Can't read."

Yesyesyes

 

Aim for the stars, that way when you miss at least you won't hit anyone you know

- Hoid (who else)

On 4/21/2025 at 8:01 PM, Hexagonal said:

One of my favorite quotes is from Kaladin and Amaram's fight in OB, where Kaladin remarks that he is the spear that did not break. It is such a powerful line that really builds up his character of determination.

This has been my member title for a while now

[+Child of Hodor]

"You often seem to say the first passably clever thing that enters your mind." Jasnah to Shallan in Way of Kings. Just a viscous burn. 

[Vielence She/Her]

17 hours ago, al_lan_mandragoran said:

If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.

- Dalinar

 

I am not a thing.

- Nightblood

Yesyesyes

 

Aim for the stars, that way when you miss at least you won't hit anyone you know

- Hoid (who else)

This has been my member title for a while now

YOU ARE NOT A THING. 

It’s such a powerful line. 
 

6 hours ago, Child of Hodor said:

"You often seem to say the first passably clever thing that enters your mind." Jasnah to Shallan in Way of Kings. Just a viscous burn. 

Jasnah is a vicious burn

[al_lan_mandragoran]

Szeth-son-Honour tried to slouch.

...

How does one stop being intense?

- Rhythm of War

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

Ok mines kinda long so I’m gonna spoil it 

Spoiler

Everything from the First page of WoK to the last page of WaT

 

Edited November 24, 2025 by Honors ghost

[Vielence She/Her]

36 minutes ago, Honors ghost said:

Ok mines kinda long so I’m gonna spoil it 

  Hide contents

Everything from the First page of WoK to the last page of WaT

 

EVERYONE REP THIS

EVERONE

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

2 hours ago, VieB13 said:

EVERYONE REP THIS

EVERONE

Hahahah they really are amazing books

[Ookla the Invariably Tired]

"I knew a one-armed swordsman once,” Adolin said, yawning. “He had trouble in duels because he couldn’t hold a shield, or two-hand a sword.” “Obviously,” Formless said, turning and rummaging in her trunk. “But I tell you,” Adolin said, “no one could arm-wrestle like Dorolin. No one.” “What is your point?” “Who do you think is stronger?” Adolin asked. “The man who has walked easily his entire life, or the man with no legs? The man who must pull himself by his arms?”
"We don’t always see strength the right way,” Adolin said. “Like, who is the better swimmer? The sailor who drowns—giving in at long last to the current after hours of fighting—or the scribe who has never stepped into the water?”

And later:

"Who is a better swimmer?” Veil whispered. “It’s the sailor who has swum his entire life, even if he encounters rough seas that challenge him. Who is the stronger man? It is the man who must pull himself by his arms. And that swordsman with one arm … He was probably the best in raw skill. He couldn’t win because of his disadvantages, but he wasn’t weaker than the others.”

 

The way this scene BROKE me. Oh my gosh. I dont cry when reading often but the beauty of this moment and truth of those words...

I love Kaladin and Dalinar's arcs, but I think Shallan has the greatest character development of them all, and maybe even in all of fiction. 

[Vielence She/Her]

On 12/1/2025 at 9:57 AM, Ookla the Invariably Tired said:

"I knew a one-armed swordsman once,” Adolin said, yawning. “He had trouble in duels because he couldn’t hold a shield, or two-hand a sword.” “Obviously,” Formless said, turning and rummaging in her trunk. “But I tell you,” Adolin said, “no one could arm-wrestle like Dorolin. No one.” “What is your point?” “Who do you think is stronger?” Adolin asked. “The man who has walked easily his entire life, or the man with no legs? The man who must pull himself by his arms?”
"We don’t always see strength the right way,” Adolin said. “Like, who is the better swimmer? The sailor who drowns—giving in at long last to the current after hours of fighting—or the scribe who has never stepped into the water?”

And later:

"Who is a better swimmer?” Veil whispered. “It’s the sailor who has swum his entire life, even if he encounters rough seas that challenge him. Who is the stronger man? It is the man who must pull himself by his arms. And that swordsman with one arm … He was probably the best in raw skill. He couldn’t win because of his disadvantages, but he wasn’t weaker than the others.”

 

The way this scene BROKE me. Oh my gosh. I dont cry when reading often but the beauty of this moment and truth of those words...

I love Kaladin and Dalinar's arcs, but I think Shallan has the greatest character development of them all, and maybe even in all of fiction. 

I barely cry while reading, but EVERYTHING in WaT.... 

aghghhhgghhh