Quotes from Finnikin of the Rock

Melina Marchetta ·  416 pages

Rating: (35K votes)


“Be prepared for the worst, my love, for it lives next door to the best.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Sir Topher finally looked up. “Because any hope beyond that, my boy, would be too much. I feared we would drown in it.”
"Then I choose to drown,” Finnikin said. “In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“This hand says you spend the rest of your life with me," he said, holding out his left hand, "and this one says I spend the rest of my life with you. Choose."

She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She took both of his hands in hers and he shuddered. "I will die protecting you," he says.

There was a look of dismay on her face. "Just like a man of this kingdom, Finnikin. Talking of death, yours or mine, is not a good way to begin a-"

Isaboe gave a small gasp when he leaned forward, his lips an inch away from hers. "I will die for you," he whispered.

She cupped his face in her hands. "But promise me you'll live first. Because nothing we are about to do is going to be easy and I need you by my side.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“There are worse things than a lie and there are better things than the truth!”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



“Never underestimate the value of knowing another's language. It can be far more powerful than swords and arrows.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Somehow, even in the worst of times, the tiniest fragments of good survive. It was the grip in which one held those fragments that counted.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“It’s against the rules of humanity to believe there is nothing we can do.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“When one is silent, those around speak even more.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Tell me about the farm," she pleaded as drops of blood began to appear on her hand.
"The farm?"
"The farm that Finnikin the peasant would have lived on with his bride."
"Evanjalin. That was her name. Did I mention that?"
She laughed through a sob. "No, you didn't."
"They would plant rows upon rows of wheat and barley, and each night they would sit under the stars to admire what they owned. Oh, and they would argue. She believes the money made would be better spent on a horse, and he believes they need a new barn. But then later they would forget all their anger and he would hold her fiercely and never let her go."
"And he'd place marigolds in her hair?" she asked.
He clasped her hands against his and watched her blood seep through the lines of his skin. "And he would love her until the day he died," he said.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



“Finn, listen!" Trevanion said, his voice raw."I prayed to see you one more time. It's all I prayed for. Nothing more. And my prayers were answered. Go east, I'll lend them west."

"We have a dilemma, then," Finnikin said fiercely. "Because I prayed that you would grow old and hold my children in your arms as you held me. My prayers have not been answered yet, Trevanion. So whose prayer is more worthy? Yours or mine?”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Do you think you should warn him (the guard) that I'm going to kiss you?"
He loved the flush that appeared on her face, and there was an intake of breath from the girls.
"Aldron," she said clearing her throat,"if he agrees to become king, I'm going to let him kiss me. Please don't stop him."
Aldron thought for a moment and sighed, holding up his hand. "Wait there and do not move," he ordered Finnikin, before calling out to one of the other guards who stood on the platform. "Ask Perri if he's allowed to touch her if he's agreed to be king.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Balthazar pledged to die defending his royal house of Lumuatere. Finnikin swore to be their protector and guide for as long as he lived. Lucian vowed he would be the light whom they traveled toward in times of need.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“The gods do make playthings of us ... but it is we mortals who provide them with the tools.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Then I choose to drown. In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



“Everything is evil that humans can't control or conquer”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“You list the dead. You tell the stories of the past. You write about the catastrophes and the massacres. What about the living, Finnikin? Who honors them?”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“I would pick them when they bloomed. And when she called me home for supper, I'd place them in her hair and the contrast would take my breath away.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“A blind man can see what she feels for you and you for her. Your souls are not merely entwined; they are fused.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“And when Finnikin grabbed her to him and buried his face in her neck and then bent down and placed his mouth on hers, the others pretended that there was something very interesting happening in the meadow. The priest-king even pointed at the nothing they were pretending to see. But Froi didn’t. He just watched the way Finnikin’s hands rested on Evanjalin’s neck and he rubbed his thumb along her jaw and the way his tongue seemed to disappear inside her mouth as if he needed a part of her to breathe himself. And Froi wondered what Evanjalin was saying against Finnikin’s lips when they stopped because whatever the words were it made them start all over again and this time their hunger for each other was so frightening to watch that it made Froi look away.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



“And it was this image that was stamped on the hearts and minds of all who were present that day. Of Froi of the Exiles holding the future of Lumatere in his hands.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“I do not believe that the desires of young boys cause catastrophic events. The actions of humans do.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“He knows no other way but ugliness,” Sir Topher said quietly. “He was taught no other lessons but those of force. His teachers have been scum who live by their own rules. No one has ever taught him otherwise.”
“Am I to forgive?” she said, her voice shaking with anger.
“No,” he said sadly. “Pity him. Or give him new rules. Or put him down like a wild animal before he becomes a monster who destroys everything he encounters.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“But then Froi looked back to where his work lay unfinished and it made him sad because there had been something about the touch of earth in his hands that made him feel worthwhile.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


His seed will issue kings, but he will never reign

For she would be Queen of Lumatere.

But he would be king to her.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



“He hesitated, remembering something Finnikin had said to him on their journey. That somehow, even in the worst of times, the tiniest fragments of good survive. It was the grip in which one held those fragments that counted.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“If there was one weapon he had against these savages, it was not acknowledging their existence.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“Those full of fear were the most dangerous of people.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“See them together and you will feel a force that will take your breath away.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock


“you grab at any sign of hope. You grab it with both hands and breathe life into it, day after day. You do anything to keep it alive.”
― Melina Marchetta, quote from Finnikin of the Rock



About the author

Melina Marchetta
Born place: Sydney, Australia
See more on GoodReads

Popular quotes

“In Ireland, you go to someone's house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you're really just fine. She asks if you're sure. You say of course you're sure, really, you don't need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don't need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn't mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it's no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting.

In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don't get any damned tea.

I liked the Irish way better.”
― C.E. Murphy, quote from Urban Shaman


“I believe in magic. In evil sorceresses who deep down are really beautiful princesses. I believe in immortals who live in a different world than this one, accessible by magical stone wheels.”
― Morgan Rhodes, quote from Crystal Storm


“You are created to be your husband’s helper, not his conscience, not his vocation director, and certainly not his critic.”
― Debi Pearl, quote from Created to be His Help Meet


“لقد تمثل هذف الطفيليات في منع الجنس البشري من الوصول إلى أقصى درجات القوة وقد فعلت ذلك بطريقة تشويش العواطف وتشويش أحاسيسنا بحيث إنّنا فشلنا في التعلم منها وسرنا بدلاً من ذلك في طريق الضباب العقلي.”
― Colin Wilson, quote from The Mind Parasites


“Do nothing but be prepared to do anything.”
― quote from One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer


Interesting books

The Problem Child
(17K)
The Problem Child
by Michael Buckley
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment
(34.9K)
Act Like a Lady, Thi...
by Steve Harvey
Tales of Sex & Suburban Lunacy
(87)
Tales of Sex & Subur...
by Helen Argiro
My Country 'Tis of Thee
(90)
My Country 'Tis of T...
by Keith Ellison
Long After
(5.1K)
Long After
by Cheryl McIntyre
The Science of Mind
(1.9K)

About BookQuoters

BookQuoters is a community of passionate readers who enjoy sharing the most meaningful, memorable and interesting quotes from great books. As the world communicates more and more via texts, memes and sound bytes, short but profound quotes from books have become more relevant and important. For some of us a quote becomes a mantra, a goal or a philosophy by which we live. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book and to carry with us the author’s best ideas.

We thoughtfully gather quotes from our favorite books, both classic and current, and choose the ones that are most thought-provoking. Each quote represents a book that is interesting, well written and has potential to enhance the reader’s life. We also accept submissions from our visitors and will select the quotes we feel are most appealing to the BookQuoters community.

Founded in 2023, BookQuoters has quickly become a large and vibrant community of people who share an affinity for books. Books are seen by some as a throwback to a previous world; conversely, gleaning the main ideas of a book via a quote or a quick summary is typical of the Information Age but is a habit disdained by some diehard readers. We feel that we have the best of both worlds at BookQuoters; we read books cover-to-cover but offer you some of the highlights. We hope you’ll join us.