Nielsen Quotes

A person can be educated and still be stupid, and a wise man can have no education at all.

Everyone gets scared at times. It's only the fools who won't admit it.

I never denied being a fool. That's the difference between us.

Hail His Majesty, the scourge of my life," Conner said to Roden and Tobias as he stomped up the stairs. "I fear the devils no longer, because I have the worst of them right here in my home!

You wouldn't want to be king of my country," I said. "Why is that?" "Well, you're rather fat. I doubt you'd fit onto my throne.

There's an old saying in Avenia that goes, "Just because it's calmer than a hailstorm doesn't mean it's calm.

In a crowd of a thousand boys claiming to be the prince, there would be only one with the same look of trouble in his eye.

Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant.

You're such a young king. I barely remember being your age." "Then clearly we're talking about how old you are, not how young I am.

Her eyes scanned the dark skies. "Did it rain? Why are you all wet?" "A nighttime bath." "Fully dressed?" "I'm modest.

...a strong heart will always overcome a strong body

The saddest thing is there won’t be anyone to miss us when we’re gone. No family, no friends, no one waiting at home.” “It’s better that way,” I said. “It’ll be easier for me, knowing my death doesn’t add to anyone’s pain.” “If you can’t give anyone pain, then you can’t give them joy either.

You should thank me for tolerating you. I had hoped that becoming a royal would cure your foul manners." "That's interesting. My father hoped that stripping me of royalty would do the same thing.

Above all else, I think that you are a compulsive liar." My laughter was tense, but sincere. "Hardly. In fact, I consider myself a compulsive truth teller. It's only that everyone else seems compelled to misunderstand me.

You stole it from the master." "Who stole it from me. What I did simply set the universe back in order.

Conner answered, "Mrs. Turbeldy warned me that you have a history of running away. Where did you go?" To the church of course. To confess my sins.

.....Just because it's possible doesn't mean its wise

You eat with your left hand. That's unacceptable. Can you do it with your right?" "Can you do it with your left?

Erick: "I think I may grow to hate you before this is over." Jaron/Sage: "But you don't already and that's got to be some sort of record.

I need a sword first," I said. "People here keep taking mine.

Master Graves was incensed and said, as punishment for my disruption, I would have to write my letters an extra ten times that day. "Ten times the better I'll know them, then." I said. "How strange that you should punish me by ensuring I come out more educated than Roden, who has tried to obey you.

Villains and plots and enemies are simple things to me. But friendships are complicated, and love is harder still. It has wounded me deeper than a sword ever could.

The pirates wanted my life, Vargen wanted my country, and my regents wanted to paint rainbows over reality and claim all was well.

No, my lady. If I cannot look at you as an equal, i will not look at you at all

Long live king Jaron. If he leads us half as well as he entertains us, then Carthya has a truly great future ahead.

I won't start the battle, but if it comes, I'll finish it.

Valuable lessons were code words for pain that no one apologized for.

One of the greatest kings?” My smile widened. “That’s it? Why not the greatest?” “This will only make your arrogance worse, I’m sure.” “Really? Do you think that’s possible?

(Talking about Jaron's broken leg) "How does it feel?" Fink asked. "Like butterfly kisses, what do you think?

I've got to go." "Go where?" "To go. I'd have just taken care of it myself, but it looks like you want to come along." Mott cursed. "Wait for morning." "Wish I could. I've been cursed with my mother's pea-size bladder.

Fink had a full bowl and grinned at me as he sat back on the bench. "It would help if you used words like 'please' and 'thank you.'" "Then I'll thank you to please stay out of my business.

Chris Nielsen: Thank you for every kindness. Thank you for our children. For the first time I saw them. Thank you for being someone I was always proud to be with. For your guts, for your sweetness. For how you always looked, for how I always wanted to touch you. God, you were my life. I apologize for everytime I ever failed you. Especially this one...

Avenia thinks they're battling a king. I doubt they're prepared to fight a boy who thinks childish pranks are practical strategies for war." "Aren't they?

Any chance we can bypass the cruelest method of death and settle this over a game of cards?

The last thing I needed was rational thought.

If he put us in dresses, we wouldn't suddenly become women

How is it that you can see your enemies so clearly and never your friends?

I follow my orders without question, as a good soldier would. You ask the same from your soldiers.' 'No, I ask them to be good people. That way if they follow my orders, I will know I am doing the right thing.

With introductions out of the way, Erick got down to the business of having abducted me. "Why were you asking Fink about the priest?" "I have some sins to confess," I said. "For ruining the life of the last man to kidnap me.

Kneel, please," Connor said. "I wish to study you better." Come as close to me as you'd like," I answered. "Study me here, on my feet." "You won't kneel?" "Would a prince?" Conner raised his voice. "You're not a prince until I say so." "I don't need you to say so, sir. As you see me standing here, I am the prince of Carthya.

It would take entire lifetimes for the men of Carthya to deserve their women.

Let the winds blow, lad Let fall the deep snow. Let the stars fall, lad We'll answer the call. Let the dark come, lad Ask not where it's from. After the fight, lad We'll see morning's light

Don't make this a fight." "I won't, but you make everything a fight.

Do you laugh at me?" He was quiet for a moment and finally the tention drained from him. "No, Jaron," he said darkly. "I curse you with every breath I exhale, but I do not laugh.

Is it true?" Devlin asked me. "You're Prince Jaron?" "KING Jaron, actually. News must travel slower amongst the illiterate." I glared at Gregor with every inch of disdain I felt. "Shouldn't you be groveling to me or bowing or something?" Gregor smiled. "I think before I have the chance, you will already be dead." "Ah. So much for all your toasts to my long life.

Who are you and how did you get in here?" "I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.

And I want you to find something in the hills for the vigils to protect, like a rock or a thornbush. I don't want them around here.

He’s no king,” I said. “Rulers aren’t made just because they sit on the throne. A true king serves his people, protects them, and sees to their happiness if he can.

Wherever our lives lead us, one thing is certain. You and I will always be connected. You might be able to deny that, but I can't. Even I am not that good a liar.

Afraid of a wooden sword?" "Just demonstrating my skills in evading an attack. Impressed?

You'll address me by my title," I said sharply. "And bow until your pointed chin scrapes the floor.

I'm still a king. My title isn't determined by my crown; it's in my blood.

I haven't don anything wrong." At least, not for a few hours

You were wrong, commander. Whatever chains you try to place on me, I will always, always, rise from them. I'm not buying my freedom, because you never owned it. But I am taking it back, for me, and for my country.

And you're the biggest coward," I hissed, then caught my breath in my throat as his blade cut deeper. "Don't call me a coward," Tobias said, "I'm not!" "Have you come here to kill me?" I asked. "Because I'll scream when you do and it'll wake up the princess and probably a whole lot of other people and you'll get into trouble." "You'll be dead." "Yes, but you'll be in trouble.

I can't do that," I said. "Who'll make sure Tobias gets back safely? He can hardly cross a road without endangering himself.

If I had to do it over again, I would not have chosen this life. Then again, I'm not sure I ever had a choice.

I thought you were from a civilized country," he said. "How have you come to look more like Carthya's whipping boy than its king?" "I have a habit of irritating some of our less civilized people," I answered. "But you seem like a civilized...pirate. I'd much prefer it if you didn't have me whipped." "And why shouldn't I?" With some effort, I forced a smile to my face. "Because it will hurt.

Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try . . .

I can only please one person a day... Today is not your day & tomorrow isn't looking good either.

You are the biggest fool of a boy I've ever known," Mott said. Then his tone softened. "But you will serve Carthya well." "I wish I felt ready to do this," I said. "The closer we come to the moment, the more I see every defect in my character that caused my parents to send me away in the first place." "From all I'm told, the prince they sent away was selfish, mischievous, and destructive. The king who returns is courageous, noble, and strong." "And a fool," I added Mott chuckled. "You are that too.

if i had to do it all over again, i would not have chosen this life. Then again, i'm not sure i ever had a choice

Carthya's not my country," I said, reaching for the doors to leave. "Frankly, I hope Avenia Destroys it

Kerwyn pulled me aside as the last of the supplies were being loaded. "Please, Jaron, don't go." Despite his pleas, I could only shake my head. "There's no other choice now." "I thought a little sleep would change your mind." Placing my hand on Kerwyn's shoulder, I said, "I had the same concern, so I kept myself awake.

If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains.

No offense, Jaron, but I don't want your life. Even locked away behind closed doors I got a taste for how awful it can be." "Did anyone try to kill you while I was gone?" "No." "Then you didn't even get a taste.

This is real, then?" Jaron's heart pounded, though he couldn't tell whether it was from sadness or fear for his future. "When you leave, I'm no longer Prince Jaron. I'll be nothing but a commoner. An orphan.

May we never forget. May we live with honor at all times, regardless of our circumstances. And may we choose love, a weapon that will defeat hate every single time. Love is the resistance.

I risked my life for you. So don’t you ever again disrespect the risks I took by claiming you weren’t worth it!

That brought a faint smile to my face. "Then let's hope Conner chooses Roden, so that Carthya has some hope of an honerable king.

With a grin, I told her, "I'll have more than ten minutes' notice that this battle is coming. In that way, this might be the most prepared I've ever been.

Get me a real chair

Once Conner was dragged out of the room, I directed the musicians to play. Then, exhausted, I fell into my father's throne. No, my throne. I was king now. The reality of that was incomprehensible.

Books themselves are freedom. Freedom to think, to believe, to dream.

As they began to tie me, I wanted to yell out, to release some of my fear that way, but I held it in. Imogen wouldn't be that far from here yet, and I didn't want her to know what was about to happen. If it was possible to scream on the inside, though, I was, and the sound of it was deafening.

My hands folded into fists. "As king, that is my order." "Forgive me, but the king's order is the most reckless thing he's ever said, which we both know is quite an accomplishment. If you want to stop me from dragging you back to Drylliad, then you'll have to kill me here." "I can't do that," I said. "Who'll make sure Tobias gets back safely? He can hardly cross a road without endangering himself." "I can too," Tobias said.

You made the right choice," Roden whispered. "Though you did choose his name rather quickly. "He has a skinny neck. He'd have died faster." (Jaron) "That's why you chose me? Because it'll take me longer to die?" "Yes, Roden, that's exactly why." "Enough bickering!" (Vargan)

if you hurt deeply, then it means you love deeply too. love is powerful thing, Jaron. In the end, love will help you win this war." I chuckled, "that'd be a fine new strategy, I think. When the enemy wields a sword against me, I'll simply express my love for them. They'll be so shocked, they'll collapse on the spot and the victory will be mine." "I daresay you will be the first to claim victory that way

It's not about finding shelter from the storm, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Kippenger suppressed a grin -- I could've sworn he did. Without looking at anyone, he said, "Jargon wrote, 'You'll get nothing from me, ever, you dog-breath, rotted corpse of a king.'" Vargas flowered at me. In return, I smiled and looked around the room, rather proud of myself for that.

Darius was dead, and very soon she and I would meet as equals. But i had the feeling it wouldn't be a day she ended up celebrating

What’s the point of gaining peace if it costs us our freedom? I won’t trade the one for the other.

It's easy to hate what you don't understand.

Once we were alone, Imogen unfolded her hand. In it, she held the key to the chains. I had passed it to her while we were in the embrace. Roden noticed it and scowled. "You gave her the key and not me? I could be free already." I smiled at him. "Yes, but I wasn't going to kiss you." "Fair enough

Truly, it is in the darkness that one finds the light

I can’t follow behind Terrowic’s horse,” I protested. “The smell will be unbearable.” “All horses smell the same,” Kippenger replied. But I eyed Terrowic. “I wasn’t talking about the horse.

Sage: "Conner's held you down for so long, you've forgotten what it's like to breathe free air." Imogen: "And you've given your life to his control forever. You'll never breathe free air again.

I realized that I couldn't expect them to think better of me that I thought of myself. So if I believed I was too young or stupid or inexperienced to be a captain, then that's all I would ever be.

And if doing what’s right makes someone angry with me, then may I cause rage and fury wherever I go.

I've been accustomed to mysteries, holy and otherwise, since I was a child. Some of us care for orphans, amass fortunes, raise protests or Nielsen ratings; some of us take communion or whiskey or poison. Some of us take lithium and antidepressants, and most everyone believes these pills are fundamentally wrong, a crutch, a sign of moral weakness, the surrender of art and individuality. Bullshit. Such thinking guarantees tradgedy for the bipolar. Without medicine, 20 percent of us, one in five, will commit suicide. Six-gun Russian roulette gives better odds. Denouncing these medicines makes as much sense as denouncing the immorality of motor oil. Without them, sooner or later the bipolar brain will go bang. I know plenty of potheads who sermonize against the pharmaceutical companies; I know plenty of born-again yoga instructors, plenty of missionaries who tell me I'm wrong about lithium. They don't have a clue.

The field was empty now. The grasses had been laid flat by more than one game played there, but in the center of it all, a single wildflower caught my attention. I was bright purple and stood erect where a hundred others around it had been smashed. I wondered if it had somehow escaped harm, or if it had been stepped on before but refused to lie down.

It's your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who cares only for himself? Or the undisciplined, rebellious prince your father sent away? Life has tested your resilience and strength and willpower, and you have succeeded in ways nobody ever thought possible. But the storm has never been worse, and it will either destroy you, or define you. When everything is taken from you, can you still stand before us as Jaron, the Ascendant King of Carthya?

By now, Gregor had recovered. "Sage? Devlin, forgive my accusation, but you are a fool. Don't you know who this is?" Devlin didn't appear to forgive the accusation. With a sneer on his face, he folded his arms and said, "Enlighten me." Gregor looked at me and frowned. "He can perform the Avenian accent as well as his own Carthyan tongue. And although he has a reputation for being able to steal the white off snow if he chooses to, this boy is far from being a mere thief. Devlin, you are facing the boy who has haunted the pirates for the past four years. This is Jaron, the lost prince of Carthya.

Erick had underestimated the distance, both to the ground and the cliff above me, yet the texture of the cliff wall was better than I'd hoped for. Vines and plants grew dense and well rooted, and there were many rocks and missing chunks of earth. I didn't know whether I could make it to the top on one leg or not, but I thought it was a great day to try.

Let's begin with an easy agreement. Before his death, your father and I were negotiating for a small area of land on our borders, near Libeth. The Carthyan land has a spring that my farmers need for their crops. Carthya has other spings nearby, so you won't miss it." "My father wouldn't have missed it, but I would," I said, with no actual idea of what spring he meant. "It happens to be my favourite water source in all of Carthya, and I won't part with it.

Finally I grinned and said, "I won't eat meat if it's been overcooked." She (Amarinda) glanced up at me, confused, and I added, "I thought you should know that, since we're going to be friends now." Amarinda's smile widened. "I think it's unfair that women aren't allowed to wear trousers. They seem far more comfortable than dresses." I chuckled. "They're not. Every year I think fashion invents one more piece I have to add to my wardrobe." "And one more layer to my skirts." She thought for a moment, then said, "I think it's funny when you're rude to the cook. I shouldn't admit that, but his face turns all sorts of colors when you are and there's nothing he can do about it." "He can overcook my meat.

Any number of hours later, Mott came with a rock that he said was as shiny as the one I'd had before. He pointed out that it was a little bigger than the other one and looked more valuable. I could have this rock. I only had to return the other one to Conner.

This is for you." i pressed the stone in Kerwyn's hand. Kerwyn turned it over in his hands, unimpressed. "imatator's gold? It's worthless." "No, it's real gold. I am real Kerwyn." ... He pulled a creased and worn paper from his pocket and unfolded it. His hands shook increasingly as he read it. Then he turned to the audience and said, "This note was given to me by King Eckbert ... to read it only if someone ever came forward claiming to be the prince. This is what it says." He read aloud, "'Many may one day claim to be the lost prince of Carthya. ... You will know the Prince Jaron by one sign alone. He will give you the humblest of rocks and tell you it's gold.'" ... "Lords and ladies of Carthya, I present to you the son of King Eckbert and Queen Erin. He is the lost royal of Carthya, who lives and stands before you. Hail, Prince Jaron.

I replied with an Avenian accent. "Is the priest of this church still here?" "No." He squinted at me. "Never seen you before. You from out of town?" "I've never seen you before either," I said. "So maybe you're the one from out of town." That amused him. "My name is Fink. Well, that's not really m name, but it's what everyone calls me." "What's your name, then." "Dunno. Everyone just calls me Fink." "Don't you have anywhere else to go?" "Not really. Why d'you want the priest?" "A doctrinal question. What punishment does the Book of Faith recommend for a kid who's being too nosy?

As the day progressed, it became evident that I would eat better on this period of punishment from Mott than I'd eaten yet since coming to Farthenwood. Tobias snuck me back better than half of his breakfast, and Errol left some food in my room while cleaning up, expressing false dismay after I ate it that "it was food intended for somebody else." We were to remain in our room in private study because of Princess Amarinda being in the house, but after lunch was brought to us, Tobias gave me all of his lunch and Roden shared half.