Ben Rowley > Ben's Quotes

“Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.”
― Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

“I should’ve realized I needed to go all the way to hell to find my soul.”
― Ann Aguirre, Havoc

“... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

“Sleep is good, he said, and books are better.”
― George R. R. Martin

“It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome.”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection

“It’s because I’m so good-looking, isn’t it?”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite

“Peter would probably throw a party if I stopped breathing.'

'Well,' he says, 'I would only go if there was cake.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

“Sleep,” he says. “I'll fight the bad dreams off if they come to get you.” “With what?” “My bare hands, obviously.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent

“Can I ask why you’re throwing knives at cheese?’
‘Caleb came by to discuss something,’ Tobias says, leaning his head against the wall as he looks at me. ‘And knife-throwing just came up somehow.’
‘As it so often does,’ I say, a small smile inching across my face.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent

“I just stand there like a doofus wondering just what in the effing blazes is going on.”
― Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go

“And too much informayshun can drive a man mad. Too much informayshun becomes just Noise. And it never, never stops.”
― Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go

“No such thing as nothing. So it's gotta be a something, don't it?”
― Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go

“Being a leader is making the people you love hate you a little more each day.”
― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the Answer

“He is sorry-
For everything-
For Prentisstown-
For Viola-
For Ben-
For every failure and every wrong-
For letting his pa down-
And he's looking up at me-
And he's begging me-
He's begging me-
Like I'm the only one who can forgive him-
Like it's only me who's got the power-
Todd?-
Please-
And all I can say is "Davy-"
And the fright and the terror in his Noise is too much-
It's too much-
And then it stops.
Davy slumps, eyes still open, eyes still staring back at me, eyes still asking (I swear) for me to forgive him.
And he lies there, still.
Davy Prentiss is dead.”
― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the Answer

“Or perhaps we should just ask Todd."
I pound the glass right at his face. He doesn't even flinch.
And then she says, "Todd would never tell you. Never."
And the Mayor just looks at me.
And he smiles

My stomach sinks, my heart drops, my head feels so light I feel like I'm going to drop right to the ground.
Oh, Viola-
Viola, please-
Forgive me.
"Captain Hammar," the Mayor says and Viola's plunged into the water again, unable to not scream out in fright as down she goes.
"NO!" I shout, pressing myself against the mirror.
But the Mayor ain't even looking at her.
He's looking right at me, as if he could see me even if I was behind a brick wall.
"STOP IT!" I shout as she's thrashing again-
And more-
And more-
"VIOLA!"
And I'm pounding even tho my hands are breaking-
And Mr. Hammar is grinning and holding her there-
"VIOLA!"
And her wrist are starting to bleed from where she's pulling-
"I'LL KILL YOU!"-
I'm shouting into the Mayor's face-
With all my Noise-
"I'LL KILL YOU!"-
And still holding her there-
"VIOLA! VIOLA!"-
But it's Davy-
Of all people-
It's Davy who stops it.”
― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the Answer

“What is it like?"

"What is what like?"

"Death. What is death like?"

"He is quiet and still, and oh, so peaceful. Fear will no longer hold any sway over you, nor will worry or sadness. Can you think of a time when you were especially tired? Perhaps after a long day of travel? Do you remember how lovely it was to climb into your feather bed that night? How grateful your tired limbs were? How welcoming it felt? How delicious to close your eyes and finally rest?"

"Yes."

"It is just like that.”
― Robin LaFevers, Mortal Heart

“I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless.”
― Neal Shusterman, Unwind

“All the history of human life has been a struggle between wisdom and stupidity.”
― Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass

“Sometimes it felt as if all happiness came at a price. You could never, ever, have perfection. Life gave you beauty so you could bear the pain.”
― Ann Aguirre, Horde

“I think at first I wanted to kill all of them. Everyone. Because if there were no people left alive, then I’d never have to love one of them again.”
― Sarah Porter, Lost Voices

“He gave a sudden shake as if he couldn't stand to feel his life still holding on to him.”
― Sarah Porter, Lost Voices

“But a man's walking-around body can be a ghost a whole lot easier than his spirit can.”
― Sarah Porter, The Twice Lost

“Naming her—forcing these doctors to know her name—was the best approximation of courage he could manage.”
― Sarah Porter, The Twice Lost

“Instead, I ask you with all my heart, come back to Matt's fort with us now! It's not because I like you - don't think that, whatever you do! But, my daughter does - I know that now - and perhaps I can learn too.”
― Astrid Lindgren, Ronia, the Robber's Daughter

“Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon

“People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon

“Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon

“The greatest enemy is one that has nothing to lose.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon

“It's amazing that a man who is dead can talk to people through these pages. As long as this books survives, his ideas live.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon