Terry Pratchett Quotes

In the same circumstances, I know that I would do the same thing again.

Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural: accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason. For such a purpose frees a man from trouble, and warfare, and all artifice and ostentatious display.

It is grievous to be caught.

Tarly, when I was a lad half your age, my lady mother told me that if I stood about with my mouth open, a weasel was like to mistake it for his lair and run down my throat. If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, beware of weasels.

It's easy to win forgiveness for being wrong; being right is what gets you into real trouble.

I've lived long enough to have learned, the closer you get to the fire, the more you get burned.

What do sad complaints avail if the offense is not cut down by punishment.

If I believe in something, I will fight for it, with all I have. But I do not demand all or nothing. I would rather get something than nothing.

You can't beat women anyhow and that if you are wise or dislike trouble and uproar you don't even try to.

Better halfe a loafe than no bread.

There is bound to be a certain amount of trouble running any country. If you are president, the trouble happens to you. But if you are a tyrant you can arrange things so that most of the trouble happens to other people.

I had three choices: to conform to my own beliefs, which meant death; complete silence, which meant another kind of death; to pay a tribute, a bribe. I chose the third solution by writing The Long Winter.

Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the slow, eating agony of a lie is never lost.

One act presses upon another, on a path we have no choice but to follow, and each time there are reasons. We do what we must, we do what we are told, we do what is easiest. What else can we do but solve one sordid problem at a time? Then we look up and find... this.

There's genuine pain in Eric's eyes. And I feel a stab of guilt. But you can't stay with people because of guilt.

You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just make sure it’s the right thing in the long run, and not just for the moment.

Assumptions are dangerous things to make, and like all dangerous things to make - bombs, for instance, or strawberry shortcake - if you make even the tiniest mistake you can find yourself in terrible trouble.

We can now destroy or we can cherish-the choice is ours.

Social opinion is like a sharp knife. There are foolish people who regard it only with terror, and dare not touch or meddle with it. There are more foolish people, who, in rashness or defiance, seize it by the blade, and get cut and mangled for their pains. And there are wise people, who grasp it discreetly and boldly by the handle, and use it to carve out their own purposes.

Wisdom is better than wit, and in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side.

I just never get into trouble. It's not my thing.

You don't just go with a majority because it's the majority. You go with it because it's right. If it feels right, do it. As long as it's legal.

As the stag which the huntsman has hit flies through bush and brake, over stock and stone, thereby exhausting his strength but not expelling the deadly bullet from his body; so does experience show that they who have troubled consciences run from place to place, but carry with them wherever they go their dangerous wounds.

I don't hang out with people that are gonna get me in trouble.

A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It's the testing point of our character and competence.