Top Ten Inspiring Quotes From Books

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week, they post a new Top Ten topic and other bloggers respond with their own lists. I take part in this meme when I have something to say for the topic and I remember what day it is.

I love this week’s topic! It’s so hard to choose my favorite book quotes, but here are some that I try to remember when I need inspiration, or a kick in the pants, or just something to give my conscience a voice.

1. Just because you’re funny, doesn’t mean you get to be cruel.

–Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

I tend to be a very sarcastic person, and I think I’ve made jokes to/about/around all of my friends that probably crossed a line. I remember the first time I read this quote, it really struck me, because the character it was being said to was the one I identified most with in the series. It was a powerful moment for me, one of those when the text really connects to your life.

2. Fly the plane, Maddie.

–Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

One of my favorite non-book quotes is Winston Churchill’s “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” This quote is in the same vein for me, and it is just so moving in the actual book.

3. Not “The Queen made me” but “I make the King.”

–A Conspiracy of Kings (The Queen’s Thief #4) by Megan Whalen Turner

I cut the quote short to avoid spoilers but you get the drift–it is the ultimate self-motivating quote, a reminder that you are in charge of your own actions.

4. I do not want to pass the time. I want to grab hold of it and leave my mark upon the world.

–The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle #3) by Libba Bray

I’m at a time in my live where it’s easy to say, “Just hold on and survive.” But I really want to make sure I keep doing the things I love and that I do things that actually affect the world around me for the better.

5. I think maybe everybody falls. I think maybe we all do. And I don’t think that’s the asking. I think the asking is whether we get back up again.”

–The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

6. I desperately want to grow old.

–Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This is the kind of quote–book, actually–that makes you appreciate everything in your life more. The power of this line is that it kicks the reader in the chest with the fear of not being able to grow old–and making them realize just how important a long life is.

7. “I didn’t know,” I start truthfully, “that it was the hard way when I started on it.”

–Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I like this quote because it’s a reminder that sometimes we accidentally get ourselves into messes that we didn’t intend, but that following them through can have really great results. Eventually.

8. They weren’t all true. But they all had the truth.

–The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3) by Brandon Sanderson

This quote is talking about different religions. It’s a very climactic moment in the series, but beyond that, it’s the kind of quote that makes you stop and wonder if all the wars of religion that have occurred throughout history were necessary in the slightest. And, of course, you come up with the answer of “no.” But it also gives you a powerful sense of what religion gives to people.

9. That isn’t your honor, Costis. That’s the public perception of your honor. It has nothing to do with anything important, except perhaps for manipulating fools who mistake honor for its bright, shiny trappings.

–The King of Attolia (Queen’s Theif #3) by Megan Whalen Turner

Being respected is a very large portion of my sense of self. Besides being absolutely in love with this book, this quote is a simple reminder that flashy awards aren’t always the best outcome.

10. I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT!

–The King of Attolia (Queen’s Theif #3) by Megan Whalen Turner

Because, sometimes, I need a reminder of this. Not in a “break the law” sort of way, but just in a “I can be me” way.