Humor Quote by Brandon Sanderson
““Please,” Shallan said to the sphere. “I need you to become fire.” Pattern buzzed, speaking with a new voice, interpreting the sphere’s words. “I am a stick,” he said. He sounded satisfied. “You could be fire,” Shallan said. “I am a stick.” The stick was not particularly eloquent. She supposed that she shouldn’t be surprised. “Why don’t you become fire instead?” “I am a stick.” “How do I make it change?” Shallan asked of Pattern. “Mm . . . I do not know. You must persuade it. Offer it truths, I think?” He sounded agitated. “This place is dangerous for you. For us. Please. Speed.” She looked back at the stick. “You want to burn.” “I am a stick.” “Think how much fun it would be?” “I am a stick.” “Stormlight,” Shallan said. “You could have it! All that I’m holding.” A pause. Finally, “I am a stick.” “Sticks need Stormlight. For . . . things . . .” Shallan blinked away tears of fatigue. “I am—” “—a stick,” Shallan said.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Way of Kings, The Stormlight Archive, 2010
A character tries to convince a stubborn entity to transform, illustrating the difficulty of persuading something resistant to change.
In simple terms: Trying to change something resistant is hard.
Key Takeaway
Seek persuasive, compelling reasons.
Themes
persuasion
transformation
frustration
magic
learning
Mood
determined
exhausted
hopeful
Type
dialogue
fantasy
motivational
When to use this quote
- team negotiations
- teaching
- conflict resolution
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
willpower
communication
magical systems
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives could truly motivate change?
- How do you handle repeated resistance?
A Different Perspective
The entity may lack agency, making persuasion ineffective.
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