Last updated on 23 July 2024 at 07:28 pm
I’m back with another collection of words from The Wheel of Time, this time with my focus on the best quotes from The Path of Daggers. Robert Jordan continues to supply dialogue, thoughts, and prose that make the heart sing. There’s a delight on every page.
I state who said what and when and add a dose of analogy to each quotation, doing my best to avoid spoiling plot points, though I do assume you’ve read as far as A Crown of Swords. It’s all reasonably tame, to be honest, so only the easily mortified are at risk in this post.
Best Quotes from The Path of Daggers
In modesty, mockery, or madness, Robert Jordan has a flair for gritty dialogue and compelling prose. The Path of Daggers may be small for a Wheel of Time book, but it contains delightful phrases and iconic lines we can all enjoy.
With a madman in his head, Rand al’Thor has thrilling words rocking his mind. We get to hear them, too, which is probably not his preference. However, I expect Lews Therin quotes to become a regular feature of these celebratory posts as we rocket through the books. You’ll also find no-nonsense quotes from Cadsuane Melaidharin, the bad-ass Aes Sedai who stormed into the main plot in A Crown of Swords.
If you’re wondering whether the “path of daggers” is an actual road or landmark, it appears not. Variants of the term are coined in the book’s preface but don’t appear elsewhere. The name derives from a Seanchan proverb, which, without wanting to be cynical, was probably fashioned to ensure an enticing title for the novel. You’ll see these references headlining the other quotes I’ve found, all gathered to celebrate the best (and assuredly clever) quotes from The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan.
Path of Daggers References
There are two references to a path of daggers in the book. Both appear in the preface and can be associated with Artur Hawkwing. “On the heights, all paths are paved with daggers,” is an old Seanchan saying.
“Who would sup with the mighty must climb the path of daggers” also appears in the preface. This was found as an anonymous notation in the margin of a historical manuscript, thought to date back to the Hawkwing era. The subject of the text was the last days of the Tovan Conclaves, an austere group of councilors from Tova (a nation that rose after the Trolloc Wars).
Lews Therin Quotes from The Path of Daggers
Rand recalls that in his youth, men would laugh that rain falling in the sunshine was a sign of the Dark One beating Semirhage. The sadistic Forsaken should not be mocked, however, and Lews Therin reacts in terror when Rand reckons to intimidate the cruel member of the Chosen. “Nothing makes Semirhage weep,” Lews Therin wails, “she gives tears to others, but she has none herself.”
Robert Jordan demonstrates his mastery with this Lews Therin quote. It subverts Rand’s impression of his relationship with Lews Therin in a delightful twist. “I would not mind you in my head,” the legend says calmly to Rand, “if you were not so clearly mad.”
Cadsuane Melaidhrin Quotes from The Path of Daggers
Cadsuane looks to unsettle an emotional Alanna Mosvani by highlighting the Aes Sedai’s transgression in bonding a man against his will. “I have kept your crime to myself,” Cadsuane tells the Green Sister to justify her interrogation, “but only because I saw no reason to complicate matters. If you think that means I won’t core you like a cabbage, think again.”
Cadsuane raises her concerns about Rand with Sorilea. “He has forgotten how to laugh except in bitterness; there are no tears left in him,” she tells the Aiel Wise One as they discuss the difference between hardness and strength. “Unless he finds laughter and tears again, the world faces disaster.”
More Clever Quotes from The Path of Daggers
Lan breaks the mold of his relationship with Nynaeve by standing up to the woman. His words stall Nynaeve mid-temper. “You can ask or demand anything of me,” he says firmly, “but never to let you die without trying to save you. The day you die, I die.”
Aviendha reacts to the exchange and suspects Nynaeve shares her shortcomings with men. “Facing them with knives and spears was much easier than loving them,” she thinks, “much easier.”
Elayne remembers one of her former nursemaid’s pearls of wisdom. “Kittens tangle your yarn, men tangle your wits, and it’s simple as breathing for both.” It is pertinent to how she feels, along with Lini’s other words of wisdom, “when a woman plays a fool, look for the man.”
Egwene is also considering sage words, with these ones derived from a conversation with Siuan Sanche about the Law of Unintended Consequences. “Whether or not what you do has the effect you want, it will have three at least you never expected, and one of those usually unpleasant.”
Yukiri Haruna, an Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, and a few other sisters interrupt a secret investigation. It leads to more than they bargained for and a dangerous hunt. “Sometimes six and six make a dozen,” Yukiri says before she knows what Seaine and Pevara are about, “and sometimes they make a mess.”
That’s my lot for now, but what are your favorite quotes from The Path of Daggers? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll add your best suggestions to this collection.
Where Does the Wind Rise in The Path of Daggers?
The sensory pleasure of reading The Wheel of Time’s iconic opening paragraph never wanes. It is the beginning of every Chapter 1 in the main series, and you’ll hear clips of it spoken by ardent fans in general conversation. The only deviations are where the wind rises in each novel. It is above the mountainous island of Tremalking in The Path of Daggers.
The Atha’an Miere play an essential role in the central portion of The Wheel of Time, and Tremalking is the largest of the Sea Folk’s islands. It is home to the female version of the Choedan Kal (giant sa’angreal) and inhabited by the Amayar, who crafted Sea Folk porcelain.
Discover More Quotes from The Wheel of Time
This is just one of my posts celebrating the best quotes from The Wheel of Time. Be sure to explore and discover more gems from each of the 14 novels and the prequel. All are housed here at The Shining Walls, and you can enjoy them by tapping the image below for your book of choice:
Listen to The Path of Daggers
If you want to live and breathe The Wheel of Time, the closest you’ll get to an immersive experience is by listening to its audiobooks. They are read by award-winning narrators Kate Reading and Michael Kramer and are a wonderful experience.
The Path of Daggers flies by with these narrators, and they punctuate the glistening prose and gritty dialogue with flair. You can discover more about The Path of Daggers audiobook with my dedicated post, accessible by tapping the image below:
The alternative is to go to Amazon directly, where you can listen to a sample recording from The Path of Daggers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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If you’ve any sharp words about quotes I’ve missed, leave your cutting comments below this post. I really appreciate your feedback and contributions.
Until next time, may the Light shine on you, my friends!
Russell