John Flanagan Quotes

A good leader is someone who knows what he's bad at, and hires someone who's good at it to take care of it for him.

Keep practicing," he told her."Until I get it right?" she said. But he corrected her."No. Until you don't get it wrong.

If everything is done for me... how will I ever learn?

You can always win points. Winning people’s respect is a lot more important.

It's surprising how often history is decided by something as trival as bad shellfish.

I will remember this word," he said. "Shenanigans. It is a good word.

I'll be needing a bridesmaid',she said.'A tall one. That way, I'll look more petite and feminine.

Success tended to make the unorthodox acceptable

How can you stay so calm?" It helps if you're terrified.

Sometimes," Halt continued, "we tend to expect a little too much of Ranger horses. After all, they are only human.

Well, we can ride together for a while longer. The highway south is farther along this way. I'll be glad of some cheerful company." "First time anyone's said that about me," Halt replied.

An ordinary archer practices until he gets it right. A ranger practices until he never gets it wrong.

You're an Apprentice! You're not ready to think!" Gilan and Halt. The Ruins of Gorlan.

She didn't like the fact that she had reduced a man – no matter how evil he might be—to a drooling idiot.

Always expect something to go wrong," he told him. "Believe me, if you're wrong, you're not dissapointed. If you're right, you're ready for it.

Never give up because, if an opportunity arises, you have to be ready to take it.

He'd just have to lie there and die, watched over by strange stars who didn't know him, didn't care for him. It was very sad, really.

It's the Kalkara. they're hunting.

I thought I'd stumbled on Sleeping Beauty and her ugly sister,' said another voice, 'waiting for the kiss of true love to wake them from their slumbers. Forgive me if I didn't oblige.

Failure is just a few seconds away from success.

Sometimes, life threw up problems that even the wisest, most trusted mentor couldn't solve for you. It was part of the pain of growing up. And having to stand by and watch was part of being a mentor.

Don't concentrate on the obvious. They might want you to miss something else.

Very impressive. Where did you learn that?" Made it up just now.

Ah, Signor Halt,' he said uncertainly, 'you are making a joke, yes?' 'He is making a joke, no,' Will said. 'But he likes to think he is making a joke, yes.

It's a sword, not a fairy wand, you know.

You know, Gilan, sarcasm isn't the lowest form of wit. It's not even wit at all." -Halt

If they invent a four legged chicken," Will said, "Horace will think he's gone to Heaven.

Tug looked nervously at his master. Horses aren't supposed to fly, he seemed to be saying.

I'll build mine tomorrow," Horace said through a mouthful of food. "This is excellent, Will! When I have grandchildren, I'll name them all after you!

He had lost control over his own body, he realized dully.

Then, driven by the same impulse, they kissed him--Aylss on the let cheek, Evanlyn on the right. And then they glared daggers at each other. -pg 372

‎Halt looked up at the trees above him. "Why does this boy ask so many questions?" he asked the trees. Naturally, they didn't answer.

I am the lord of Redmont Fief. He is my tenant. I am his commander. End of story. Ipso facto. Case-o closed-o.

Will raised both eyebrows. 'Well, you learn a new thing everyday,' he said reflectively. 'In your case, that's no exaggeration,' Halt said, completely straight-faced.

But then, in his lifetime, Halt had often ignored what was technically legal. Technicalities didn't appeal to him. All too often, they simply got in the way of doing the right thing.

Then the two friends leaned back and watched the sun rise clear of the trees. “Best time of day,” said Will. Yes,” Horace agreed. “What’s for breakfast?

Anyone can make a mistake.... It's how they learn from it and recover from it that shows their true worth.

Have you seen them?" he asked. Arrow looked at him disinterestedly. Will frowned. Not talking, eh?" he said. "Maybe you're a little hoarse." He cackled breifly at his own wit.

Stig: 'Of course, she'll sail rings around Wolfswind,' Hal: 'Then why didn't you tell him that?' Stig: 'I like my head where it is.

It would be unthinkably bad luck to be betrayed by a rumbling stomach.

But...what if I mistime it?" Gilan smiled widely. "Well, in that case, I'll probably lop your head off your shoulders." Horace and Gilan

Do you have a death wish?" he asked. Will grinned at him. I'm just relying on your judgment," he replied. "I can't keep track of everything in my head.

What is this Chocho business?' Will muttered to himself. But his friends overheard the comment. 'It's a term of great respect,' they chorused, and he glared at them. 'Oh, shut up,' he said.

Shall I call the others back in?" He nodded. "Why ask me? It's all of you who are making the decisions.

It was safe to assume that the rider would be carrying a weapon of some kind. After all, there was no point in wearing half armor and going weaponless.

Got to keep losing horses," he said drowsily. "Bad habit.

The battle, if you could call it that, lasted no more than a few seconds.

Strange, he thought, how seldom people tend to look up" - Will

You're a dead man, Arratay," Jerrel said through clenched teeth. Halt smiled. "That's been said before. Yet here I am.

There's nothing honerable in a man who hides behind a blue woman's hanky.