Quotes from Wizard's First Rule

Terry Goodkind ·  836 pages

Rating: (198.5K votes)


“People are stupid. They will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Sometimes, making the wrong choice is better than making no choice. You have the courage to go forward, that is rare. A person who stands at the fork, unable to pick, will never get anywhere.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“I am who I am; no more, no less.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Love is not about what you want. It's about finding happiness for the one you love.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



“There is no such thing as pure good or pure evil, least of all in people. In the best of us there are thoughts or deeds that are wicked, and in the worst of us, at least some virtue. An adversary is not one who does loathsome acts for their own sake. He always has a reason that to him is justification. My cat eats mice. Does that make him bad? I don't think so, and the cat doesn't think so, but I would bet the mice have a different opinion.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“no army has ever marched into battle thinking that the Creator had sided with their enemy.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“She looked so beautiful in the moonlight, but it wasn't only the way she looked, it was what was inside her, everything from her intelligence and courage to her wit, and the special smile she gave only to him. He would slay a dragon, if there were such a thing, just to see that smile. He knew he would never want anyone else for as long as he lived. He would rather spend the rest of his life alone than with someone else. There could be no one else.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“By my love for you. I realized I loved you more than life itself, and I would rather give myself into your power than live without you. Nothing the magic could do to me could be worse than living without you. I was willing to give it all over to you. I offered the power everything I have. All of my love for you. Once I realized how much I loved you, I was willing to be yours on any terms. I understood that there could be nothing for the magic to harm. I’m already devoted to you; it didn’t need to change me. I was protected, because I have already been untouched by your love. I had utter faith that you felt the same, and had no fear of what would happen. Had I had any doubt, the magic would have latched on to that crack and taken me, but I had no doubt. My love for you is smooth and seamless. My love for you protected me from the magic.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



“The light of a new day always chases the shadows of the night away, and shows us that the shape of our fears is only the ghost of our own minds.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Once you teach me something, it's mine to use.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“The Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid; given proper motivation almost anyone will believe almost anything.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Everything is valuable under the right conditions. To a man dying of thirst, water be more precious than gold. To a drowning man, water be of little worth and great trouble.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Bags, and Double Bags!" - Zedd”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



“… many people must be ruled to thrive. In their selfishness and greed, they see free people as their oppressors. They wish to have a leader who will cut the taller plants so the sun will reach them. They think no plant should be allowed to grow taller than the shortest, and in that way give light to all. They would rather be provided a guiding light, regardless of the fuel, than light a candle themselves.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Being afraid something is true is accepting the possibility. Accepting the possibility is the first step to believing.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Kahlan guide me. Kahlan teach me. Kahlan protect me. In your light I thrive. In your mercy I am sheltered. In your wisdom I am humbled. I live only to love you. My life is yours.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Everybody knows it. Wizards are supposed to have beards. It's common knowledge.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“We all can be no more, or less, than who we are.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



“She stood straight and still, her arms at her side. Her eyebrows had the graceful arch of a raptor's wings in flight. Her green eyes came unafraid to his. The connection was so intense that it threatened to drain his sense of self. He felt that he had always known her, that she had always been a part of him, that her needs were his needs. She held him with her gaze as surely as a grip of iron would, searching his eyes as if searching his soul, seeking an answer to something. I am here to help you, he said in his mind. He meant it more than any thought he had ever had.
The intensity of her gaze relaxed, loosening its hold on him. In her eyes he saw something that attracted him more than anything else. Intelligence. He saw it flaring there, burning in her, and through it all he felt an overriding sense of her integrity. Richard felt safe.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“I wish people had half the honor of dragons.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Teasingly she took the apple from his mouth. Juice ran down his chin. Slowly, deliberately, she leaned over and licked the sweet juice from his chin.
I will have to admit though, that I will never look at an apple in quite the same way.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Richard started to walk away. Zedd called his name. He stopped and turned.
Just be glad she cares for you as much as she does. If she didn't, she might have touched you."
Richard stared back at him a long moment. "I'm afraid, in a way, she already has.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Every war is a murderous struggle between foes. And yet, no army has ever marched into battle believing that the Creator had sided with their enemy.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



“I’m warning you, stay back! This sword has magic.'
'Magic!' the dragon gasped in mock fright. It put a claw to its breast. 'Oh, please, brave man, don’t slay me with your magic sword!”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“I will have to admit, though, that I will never look at an apple in quite the same way.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“He put the box in Kahlan's lap. As she picked it up, she gave him the biggest smile he had ever seen. Before he even knew what he had done, he had leaned over and given Kahlan a quick kiss. Her eyes went wide, and she didn't kiss him back, but the feel of her lips shocked him into realizing what he had done.
Oh. Sorry," he said.
She laughed. "Forgiven.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“Wizard's First Rule: people are stupid." Richard and Kahlan frowned even more. "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool.
"Because of Wizards First Rule, the old wizards created Confessors, and Seekers, as a means of helping find the truth, when the truth is important enough. Darken Rahl knows the Wizard's Rules. He is using the first one. People need an enemy to feel a sense of purpose. It's easy to lead people when they have a sense of purpose. Sense of purpose is more important by far than the truth. In fact, truth has no bearing in this. Darken Rahl is providing them with an enemy, other than himself, a sense of purpose. People are stupid; they want to believe, so they do.”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule


“You mean that it’s not only what he does that makes him dangerous, but also what he feels justified in doing?”
― Terry Goodkind, quote from Wizard's First Rule



About the author

Terry Goodkind
Born place: in Omaha, Nebraska, The United States
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