Stephen R. Donaldson Quotes

“Any belief that puts itself beyond doubt nurtures its own collapse.”

“I respect my limitations, but I don't use them as an excuse.”

“Joy is in the ears that hear, not in the mouth that speaks. The world has few stories glad in themselves, and we must have gay ears to defy Despite”

“We didn't make the world. All we have to do is live in it.”

“Stone and sea are deep in life
Two unalterable symbols of the world
Permanence at rest
And permanence in motion
Participants in the power that remains”

“Did I do a whole life's laughing in that little time?”

“When last comes to last,
I have little power:
I am merely an urn. I hold the bone-sap of myself,
and watch the marrow burn.
When last comes to last,
I have little strength:
I am only a tool. I work its work; and in its hands
I am the fool.
When last comes to last,
I have little life.
I am simply a deed: an action done while courage holds:
a seed.”

“It is wrong to ask for more than you give freely. In this way, we come to resemble what we hate.”

“Go to hell," Covenant mumbled. "Don’t you ever sleep?"
"The Bloodguard do not sleep."
"What?"
"No Bloodguard has slept since the Haruchai swore their Vow."
With an effort, Covenant pulled himself into a sitting position. He peered blearily at Bannor for a moment, then muttered, "You’re already in hell.”

“One word more, a final caution: Do not forget whom to fear at the last. I have had to be content with killing and torment; but now my plans are laid, and I have begun. I shall not rest until I have eradicated hope from the Earth. Think on that, and be dismayed!”

“Alas for the Earth! We are overthrown and have no friend to redeem us. Beauty shall pass utterly from the Land”

“The heart cherishes secrets not worth the telling”

“Foamfollower's question caught him wandering. "Are you a storyteller, Thomas Covenant?"”

“When you've tried all the salves in the world and they don't work, you start thinking about fire”

“Despair and bitterness are not the only songs in the world”