Quotes about step
page 5

“Tyler gets me a job as a waiter, after that Tyler's pushing a gun in my mouth and saying, the first step to eternal life is you have to die.”

Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club

Source: Fight Club

Life

“He does something to me, that boy. Every time. It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry.”

Markus Zusak book The Book Thief

Source: The Book Thief

Boy, Time, Heart, Cry

“To be free is to learn, to test yourself constantly, to gamble. It is not safe. I had learnt to use my fears as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, and”

Robyn Davidson (1950) Australian writer

Source: Tracks

Fear, Learning

“He stepped back and threw his arms out.
"I'm always crazy around you Rose. Here, I'm going to write an impromptu poem for you."
He tipped his head back and shouted to the sky:
"Rose is in red
But never in blue
Sharp as a thorn
Fights like one too.”

Richelle Mead Shadow Kiss

Source: Shadow Kiss

Fight

“I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.”

Alexis De Tocqueville book Democracy in America

Book Three, Chapter XXI.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Three

Men, Fear, Help

“Step aside? I step aside for nobeast, whether it be a hallowed hedgehog, an officious otter, a seasoned squirrel, a mutterin' mole or a befuddled badger!”

Brian Jacques (1939–2011) British fiction writer known for Redwall animal fantasy novels

Source: Taggerung

Season

“I gave him a kick and he stepped back onto the third rail. Exploding, flaming eraser! This is why moms tell you to stay away from the third rail, but it sure came in handy this time.”

James Patterson (1947) American author

Source: The Angel Experiment

Moms, Time

“I keep thinking that if I could just unzip my skin, step out of this body, then I would see who I really am.“ She nods her head slowly. „What do you think you‘d look like?” “Smaller, for a start.”

Laurie Halse Anderson Wintergirls

Source: Wintergirls

Thinking

“Look out for number one and try not to step in number two.”

Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004) American actor and comedian

“And her voice is a string of colored beads,
Or steps leading into the sea.”

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American poet

Source: Renascence and Other Poems

Color, Sea

“It's amazing the way one can take a step ten and a half miles long and still always land in a cowpat.”

Diana Wynne Jones book Howl's Moving Castle

Source: Howl's Moving Castle

Way

“To finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson book Experience

1840s, Essays: Second Series (1844), Experience

Wisdom

“I stepped into the bookshop and breathed in that perfume of paper and magic that strangely no one had ever thought of bottling.”

Carlos Ruiz Zafón book The Angel's Game

Source: The Angel's Game

“For an instant she felt his touch on her cheek then he stepped back. There that was my ration for all eternity. People have died for less I dare say.”

Eva Ibbotson book A Countess Below Stairs

Source: A Countess Below Stairs

People

“Her body moved with the frankness that comes from solitary habits. But solitude is only a human presumption. Every quiet step is thunder to beetle life underfoot; every choice is a world made new for the chosen. All secrets are witnessed.”

Barbara Kingsolver book Prodigal Summer

Source: Prodigal Summer (2000).

Life, Secret, World, Solitude

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way.”

Wayne W. Dyer (1940–2015) American writer

Way, Dance

“Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.”

Ayn Rand (1905–1982) Russian-American novelist and philosopher

Men

“I'm right there with you, darlin'. Unless you step on a landmine, in which case I'm way back in the Operations Room.”

Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl

Source: Artemis Fowl

Way

“I didn't know there were this many math guys," Hale said as they stepped onto the crowded concourse.
Kat cleared her throat.
"And women," he added. "Math women.”

Ally Carter book Heist Society

Source: Heist Society

Women, Guy

“Step by step
Moment by moment
We live through
Another day”

Anne McCaffrey book Dragon Harper

Source: Dragon Harper

“At last he came to a door, with these words in glowing emeralds:

THE END OF THE WORLD

He did not hesitate. He opened the door and stepped through.”

Orson Scott Card book Ender's Game

Source: Ender's Game

World

“Maybe one morning I’ll wake up and step outside of myself to look back at the old me lying dead among the sheets.”

Markus Zusak (1975) Australian author

Source: I Am the Messenger

Lying, Dead

“And then like a song we'd forgotten was even on the mix, you stepped into the house and my whole life.”

Daniel Handler book Why We Broke Up

Source: Why We Broke Up

Life, Housing

“Nodding, Cery strode to the door and stepped through. Though the burly guards eyes him suspiciously, Cery smiled back. Never make enemies of someone's lackeys, his father had taught him. Better still, make them like you a lot.”

Trudi Canavan book The Magicians' Guild

Source: The Magicians' Guild

Smile

“He stepped to the window and pointed to the skyscrapers of the city. He said that we had to extinguish the lights of the world, and when we would see the lights of New York go out, we would know that our job was done.”

Ayn Rand book Atlas Shrugged

The Fountainhead (1943).
Source: Atlas Shrugged
Context: That particular sense of sacred rapture men say they experience in contemplating nature- I've never received it from nature, only from. Buildings, Skyscrapers. I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York's skyline. The shapes and the thought that made them. The sky over New York and the will of man made visible. What other religion do we need? And then people tell me about pilgrimages to some dank pest-hole in a jungle where they go to do homage to a crumbling temple, to a leering stone monster with a pot belly, created by some leprous savage. Is it beauty and genius they want to see? Do they seek a sense of the sublime? Let them come to New York, stand on the shore of the Hudson, look and kneel. When I see the city from my window - no, I don't feel how small I am - but I feel that if a war came to threaten this, I would like to throw myself into space, over the city, and protect these buildings with my body.

World, Light

“When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.”

Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American writer

Fear, Time

“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have
And step into the darkness of the unknown
Believe that one of the two will happen to you
Either you'll find something solid to stand on
Or you'll be taught how to fly!”

Richard Bach (1936) American spiritual writer

Light, Flying

“The first step in the development of taste is to be willing to to credit your own opinion.”

Thomas Harris book Hannibal

Source: Hannibal

“I went through the usual stages: imp, rascal, scalawag, whippersnapper. And, of course, after that it's just a small step to full-blown sociopath.”

George Carlin book Brain Droppings

Source: Brain Droppings

“Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.”

Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American author

People, Failure, Success, Business

“Often admitting our weakness and fear is the first step to finding rest in God. Our trust in Him isn't conveyed though superhuman confidence as much as it comes in the way of childlike reliance on Him.”

Tracie Peterson (1959) American writer

Source: Morning's Refrain

God, Fear, Way, Confidence

“It is not an act of bravery to try to save your own village. It is an instinct to protect what you possess. Bravery is when you step in to help when you have nothing to lose.”

Gail Tsukiyama The Samurai's Garden

Source: The Samurai's Garden

Help

“I’m lost. I know every step I took to get here, and I’m still lost.”

Jim Butcher book Skin Game

Source: Skin Game

“It seems to me that no matter what religion you subscribe to, acts of kindness are the stepping-stones to making the world a better place--because we become better people in it.”

Jodi Picoult Change of Heart

Source: Change of Heart

People, World, Religion

“I never wear flats. My shoes are so high that sometimes when I step out of them, people look around in confusion and ask, "Where'd she go?" and I have to say, "I'm down here.”

Marian Keyes (1963) Irish writer

People, Shoe

“People say, "What is the sense of our small effort?" They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time.”

Dorothy Day (1897–1980) Social activist

People, Sense, Effort, Time

“I remember that I stood on the library steps holding my books and looking for a minute at the soft hinted green in the branches against the sky and wishing, as I always did, that I could walk home across the sky instead of through the village.”

Shirley Jackson book We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Source: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Books, Home

“Choosing to be honest is the first step in the process of love. There is no practitioner of love who deceives. Once the choice has been made to be honest, then the next step on love's path is communication.”

Bell Hooks book All About Love: New Visions

Source: All About Love: New Visions

Love, Communication

“There was a yell, but Magnus had already risen and closed the door before he could see Alec fall down the steps, as that was the sort of thing a man had to do in private.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Source: The Course of True Love [and First Dates]

“If you don't want them to find you, changing your last name seems a fairly elementary first step. Trust me, I'm an expert. I've watched a lot of spy movies.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Source: The Last Stand of the New York Institute

Change

“Haymich finally drops the good-natured act. "you know who else, Katniss. You know who stepped up first."
Of course I do.
Gale.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Source: Mockingjay

Nature

“I passionately hate the idea of being with it, I think an artist has always to be out of step with his time.”

Orson Welles (1915–1985) American actor, director, writer and producer

Hate, Idea, Thinking, Passion

“Look, I'll fight, too. What do you think it is? Bear, coyote…?"
"My brother."
"Your…" Dismay pooled in Mark. She'd just stepped over the line of acceptable craziness. "Oh.”

L.J. Smith book Daughters of Darkness

Source: Daughters of Darkness

Thinking, Fight

“Which brings me to the question of why we always 'fall' in love. One falls down steps, off ladders, into rivers and down mountains. If love is so wonderful, why don't we soar in love or climb in love?”

Judith McNaught (1944) American writer

Love, Mountain, Question

“I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair.
Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.
Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts me, all day
I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps.”

Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) Chilean poet

Source: 100 Love Sonnets

“Step 4: Cough and gag.
Step 5: Repeat Step 4 until it feels like maybe your lungs aren't inside your body anymore.
Step 6: Remember that a really cute boy is beside you, so try to cough in a far more attractive manner.”

Ally Carter book Only the Good Spy Young

Source: Only the Good Spy Young

Feeling, Boy

“I was my own woman.
The next step was to find the proper sort of man.”

Sylvia Plath book The Bell Jar

Source: The Bell Jar

“What people forget is a journey to nowhere starts with a single step, too.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Survivor

Source: Survivor

People, Forgetting

“I hate horses. I know people who think that they are noble, graceful animals, but regardless of what a horse looks like from a distance, never forget that it's as likely to step on your foot as look at you.”

Megan Whalen Turner The Thief

Source: The Thief

Hate, People, Thinking, Animals

“… often, stepping outside your comfort zone is not careless irresponsibility, but a necessary act of obedience.”

Andy Stanley (1958) American Christian minister

Source: Fields Of Gold

“The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers.”

Brian Tracy (1944) American motivational speaker and writer

“I mumble hocus-pocus and the next thing you know, I’m a cat. (Ravyn)
I suppose it’s a step up. The last guy I had in my house could only turn into a beer-drinking pig. (Susan)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Dark Side of the Moon

Guy, Cats, Drink, Beer

“Death is another bar which lies several steps below the normal world. I'm at its threshold, but not yet in it. Its doorway is doorless.”

Kathy Acker (1947–1997) American novelist, playwright, essayist, and poet

Source: Pussy, King of the Pirates

Death, World

“I caught Bast’s arm when she was a few steps from the bank.
“Stay away from the water.”
She frowned. “Carter, I’m a cat. I’m not going for a swim. But if you want to summon a river goddess, you really need to do it at the riverbank.”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

Cats, Water

“Harry," she said quietly, "I know you must be angry."

I burn things to ash and smash holes in buildings when I'm angry," I said. "I'm a couple of steps past that point right now.”

Jim Butcher book Changes

Source: Changes

Past

“Where we are going, I don't know. It doesn't seem to be the place that is important but the steps in between.”

Mary E. Pearson book The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Source: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

“Walk neither faster nor slower than your own soul. Because it is your soul that will teach you the usefulness of each step you take.”

Paulo Coelho book Manuscript Found in Accra

Source: Manuscript Found in Accra

Soul

“I hung up.
It was a step in the right direction, but it didn't go far enough. I ought to have locked the door and hid under the desk.”

Raymond Chandler book The Little Sister

Source: The Little Sister (1949), chapter 1

“The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step outside the frame.”

Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Source: The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999)

People

“Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way of showing that we trust in God.”

Paulo Coelho book Brida

Source: Brida

God, Way, Courage

“One step at a time, one day at a time, just today, just this day to get through.”

Linda Sue Park (1960) American author of young adult fiction

Source: A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story

Time

“I don't have a method of stepping into the depths of your heart without getting it dirty." -Kuchiki Rukia”

Tite Kubo (1977) Japanese manga artist

Heart

“Life’s greatest gift is the freedom it leaves you to step out of it whenever you choose.”

André Breton book Anthology of Black Humor

Source: Anthology of Black Humor

Life, Freedom

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (1926) Religious leader and peace activist

Peace, Beauty, Flowers, Beauty

“When you become a teenager, you step onto a bridge. You may already be on it. The opposite shore is adulthood. Childhood lies behind. The bridge is made of wood. As you cross, it burns behind you”

Gail Carson Levine (1947) American writer

Source: Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly

Childhood, Adulthood

“I had always felt that mittens were a few steps back on the evolutionary scale-- why, I wondered, would we want to make ourselves into a less agile version of lobster.”

David Levithan (1972) American author and editor

Source: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

“She is so naked and singular.
She is the sum of yourself and your dream.
Climb her like a monument, step after step.
She is solid.”

Anne Sexton (1928–1974) poet from the United States

Dreams

“The first step towards knowledge is to accept your own ignorance.”

Joseph Delaney (1945) British writer

Source: Curse of the Bane

Knowledge

“How do you say yoo-hoo in Arabic?"
"I believe that yoo-hoo could be part of a universal language," Dan said. "Like ow. Or- you're stepping on my foot."
"That's universal?"
"No, you're stepping on my foot. Ow."
Amy moved.”

Jude Watson book Beyond the Grave

Source: Beyond the Grave

Universe, Parting

“The purpose of dancing isn't to end up at a particular spot on the floor. The purpose of dancing and of life is to enjoy every moment and every step, regardless of where you are when the music ends.”

Wayne W. Dyer (1940–2015) American writer

Life, Music, Dance

“It would be so great if it were possible to go through life without making a single mistake but there is no such path. Falling, tripping, losing the way, making mistakes, little by little, walking one step at a time, this is the only way.”

Natsuki Takaya (1973) Manga artist

Life, Way, Time

“But she stepped forward and placed a finger to his lips and there it was before him. The greatest prayer to the gods he could muster with a heart so broken.”

Melina Marchetta (1965) Australian teen writer

Source: Quintana of Charyn

God, Heart

“Turn around, Piglet. Step lightly, Pooh. This silly ol' dance is perfect for two.”

A.A. Milne (1882–1956) British author

Source: The World of Winnie-the-Pooh

Dance, Perfection

“He continues to smile expectantly. I take a step back. I don't want to catch whatever he has. He is a disturbing out-of-uniform Santa.”

Augusten Burroughs (1965) American writer

Smile

“Nobody's perfect. We're all just one step up from the beasts and one step down from the angels.”

Jeannette Walls book Half Broke Horses

Source: Half Broke Horses

Angels, Perfection

“Peeta?" I creep along the bank.

"Well, don't step on me.”

Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games

Source: The Hunger Games

“Life is available only in the present. That is why we should walk in such a way that every step can bring us to the here and the now.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (1926) Religious leader and peace activist

Source: True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart

Life, Way

“Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice… No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and breath out.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (1926) Religious leader and peace activist

Source: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Freedom

“Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill.”

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) Scottish physician and author

Life, Fate

“He rose to his feet and padded down the last few steps silently, came up behind Kim, and leaned over her to say, “I vant to drink your blood” in a heavy, fake Dracula accent. She shrieked, flailed, and a zombie ate her brains on-screen."!”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Fade Out

Drink

“You can't know what it is like for us now--you will always be one step behind.

Be thankful for that.

You can't know what it was like for us then--you will always be one step ahead.

Be thankful for that, too.”

David Levithan (1972) American author and editor

Source: Two Boys Kissing

“She remembered timidly standing atop the Luthadel city wall, afraid to use her Allomancy to jump off, despite Kelsier's coaxing. Now she could step off a cliff and muse thoughtfully to herself on the way down.”

Brandon Sanderson (1975) American fantasy writer

Source: The Hero of Ages

Way

“Only those who never step, never stumble.”

Richard Paul Evans (1962) American writer

Source: Lost December

“He stepped down, avoiding any long look at her as one avoids long looks at the sun, but seeing her as one sees the sun, without looking.”

Leo Tolstoy book Anna Karenina

Pt. I, ch. 9
Variant: He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.
Source: Anna Karenina (1875–1877; 1878)

Sun

“And girls need cold anger. They need the cold simmer, the ceaseless grudge, the talent to avoid forgiveness, the side stepping of compromise. They need to know when they say something that they will never back down, ever, ever.”

Gregory Maguire book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Source: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Girl, Forgiveness, Anger

“When Rydstrom shut the door, Cade stared at it for long moments.
At length, he turned for the steps. "Fuckall," he said on a stunned breath. "Does this mean I'm no longer the bad brother…?”

Kresley Cole American writer

“Faith is stepping out into the unknown with nothing to guide us but a hand just beyond our grasp.”

Frederick Buechner (1926) Poet, novelist, short story writer, theologian

Source: The Magnificent Defeat (1966)

Faith

“I dance for no reason, for reasons you can't dance,
Call me an activist of intellectualized circumstance
You can't learn my steps until you unlearn your thoughts Spirit, soul, can't be store-bought.”

Saul Williams (1972) American singer, musician, poet, writer, and actor

Soul, Learning, Dance

“I just told you to be quiet. That's one step away from asking you to wash my laundry and make me a sandwich.”

Richelle Mead (1976) American writer

Source: Succubus Dreams

“… That would be like stepping in front of a moving train and saying, 'Hey, honey, come stand next to me.'"
I hopped off the wall and stood next to him. "Anytime."
He just looked at me.
"I've never killed a train before. It might be fun to try.”

Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo

Source: Magic Rises

Training

“Keys," she repeated, and slowly stepped back. "What do you mean, keys?"

"Car keys. As in, give them up. Now." Shane had that look -- hard, and no bullshit. "We don't have time for your drama, Monica. Nobody does.”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Last Breath

Cars, Time

“One thing about London is that when you step out into the night, it swallows you.”

Sebastian Faulks book Engleby

Source: Engleby

Night

“She started off, walking fast, as if the speed of her steps could give form to the things she felt.”

Ayn Rand book Atlas Shrugged

Source: Atlas Shrugged

Speed

“There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.”

Richard Bach (1936) American spiritual writer

The Bridge Across Forever (1984)
Source: The Bridge Across Forever: A True Love Story

Learning

“Sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something.”

Ryan North (1980) Canadian webcomic writer and programmer

“Knowing where the trap is—that's the first step in evading it.”

Frank Herbert book Dune

Source: Dune

“Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

Henry David Thoreau book Walden ou la vie dans les bois

Walden (1854)
Context: A living dog is better than a dead lion. Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and not be the biggest pygmy that he can? Let every one mind his own business, and endeavor to be what he was made. Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.<!--pp.366-367

Music