--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Will looked down at himself, at the knife…" description: "\"“Will looked down at himself, at the knife at his feet, and remembered the knife he had buried at the base of the tree on the Shrewsbury-Welshpool road..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/cassandra-clare-9_better-man_will-looked-down-at-himself-at-the-knife_230035.jpg" --- # Will looked down at himself, at the knife at his feet, and… ![“Will looked down at himself, at the knife at his feet, and remembered the knife he had buried at the base of the tree on the Shrewsbury-Welshpool road, stained with his blood and Jem’s. “All my life, since I came to the Institute, you were the mirror of my soul. I saw the good in me in you. In…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/cassandra-clare-9_better-man_will-looked-down-at-himself-at-the-knife_230035.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/cassandra-clare-9_better-man_will-looked-down-at-himself-at-the-knife_230035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/cassandra-clare-9_better-man_will-looked-down-at-himself-at-the-knife_230035.jpg) > ““Will looked down at himself, at the knife at his feet, and remembered the knife he had buried at the base of the tree on the Shrewsbury-Welshpool road, stained with his blood and Jem’s. “All my life, since I came to the Institute, you were the mirror of my soul. I saw the good in me in you. In your eyes alone I found grace. When you are gone from me, who will see me like that?” There was a silence then. Jem stood as still as a statue. With his gaze Will searched for, and found, the parabatai rune on Jem’s shoulder; like his own, it had faded to a pale white. At last Jem spoke. The cool remoteness had left his voice. Will breathed in hard, remembering how much that voice had shaped the years of his growing up, its steady kindness a lighthouse beacon in the dark. “Have faith in yourself. You can be your own mirror.” “That words have the power to change us. Your words have changed me, Tess; they have made me a better man than I would have been otherwise. Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read. I would read them together with you, as many as I can, before I die—”” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on how another person served as a mirror of their soul, offering grace and guidance, and learns to become their own source of self‑acceptance. **In simple terms:** Seeing oneself in another gives confidence; later we must find it within. Key Takeaway Become your own source of validation. Themes self‑acceptance mirroring growth friendship Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - mentor relationships - self‑discovery - healing Key Concepts identity reflection inner strength Questions to Reflect On - How can you nurture self‑mirroring without external validation? - What habits help you become your own source of grace? A Different Perspective Relying on others can create dependency; true confidence must be cultivated internally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) [Faith in yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-in-yourself/) [Power to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-to-change/) ## Related quotes > [“I should have known what you would do,” Jem said in a low voice. “I always know what you will do. I should have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-should-have-known-what-you-would-do-jem-said-in-a-low-voice-i/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Jem spoke with enormous care; talking to Will about anything personal was like trying not to startle away a wild animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-spoke-with-enormous-care-talking-to-will-about-anything-personal/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I can tell you that the end of a live is the sun of the love that was lived in it, that whatever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-can-tell-you-that-the-end-of-a-live-is-the-sun-of-the-love-that-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Will’s voice dropped. “Everyone makes mistakes, Jem.” “Yes,” said Jem. “You just make more of them than most people.” “I —” “You hurt everyone,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-s-voice-dropped-everyone-makes-mistakes-jem-yes-said-jem-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [A great sadness welled up in Magnus at the sight of him. It was human to age and die, and Jem stood outside that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/a-great-sadness-welled-up-in-magnus-at-the-sight-of-him-it-was-human/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Magnus took a deep breath and spoke gently. “Will. You asked me for my wisdom, as someone who has lived many lifetimes and buried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-took-a-deep-breath-and-spoke-gently-will-you-asked-me-for-my/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [He would look so young. They were both so young. Tessa knew it was unusual to marry at seventeen and eighteen, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-would-look-so-young-they-were-both-so-young-tessa-knew-it-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I lay on my stomach, reached down and poked him. He rolled up. Then, feeling safe, I suppose, he slowly unrolled. He travelled a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/i-lay-on-my-stomach-reached-down-and-poked-him-he-rolled-up-then/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) > [“But—but...” Will sputtered. “Oh, leave it,” said Jem, kicking Will, not without affection, lightly on the ankle. “She annexed my plan!” “Will,” Tessa said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-but-will-sputtered-oh-leave-it-said-jem-kicking-will-not-without/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“For a moment the garden, the noise, the stench of blood and demon, vanished away, andhe was alone in a soundless place with only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-the-garden-the-noise-the-stench-of-blood-and-demon/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“You are not really dying,” he said, the oddest tone to his voice, “are you?”Jem nodded. “So they tell me.”“I am sorry,” Will said.“No,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-are-not-really-dying-he-said-the-oddest-tone-to-his-voice-are-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Will." Charlotte sighed on seeing him, and shook her head at Tessa and Jem. "I told you the Enclave would be meeting here at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-charlotte-sighed-on-seeing-him-and-shook-her-head-at-tessa-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He could not take from him the one thing Jem wanted more than anything else. Even if it meant Will 's own happiness, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-could-not-take-from-him-the-one-thing-jem-wanted-more-than/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Charlotte, Will’s being vexing.' 'And the sun has come up in the east,' said Jem, to no one in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/charlotte-will-s-being-vexing-and-the-sun-has-come-up-in-the-east/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Will closed his eyes. He could not hear Jem go, not anymore; he did not want to know the moment when he left and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-closed-his-eyes-he-could-not-hear-jem-go-not-anymore-he-did-not/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Better man quotes > [If I were a boy, I think I could understand how it feels to love a girl..I swear I'll be a better man :-/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-were-a-boy-i-think-i-could-understand-how-it-feels-to-love-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I should've been a better man instead of wasting my time spending my life searching for the finer things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/i-should-ve-been-a-better-man-instead-of-wasting-my-time-spending-my/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [“I think so. You’re saying that God’s putting me through this fire so He can make me a better man.” “Yes. The problem is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-h-westall/i-think-so-you-re-saying-that-god-s-putting-me-through-this-fire-so/) [Jennifer H. Westall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-h-westall/) > [“The knuckles of his hand that had Shaw's name inked across them caught my eye. I pointed to them. "You have her with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/the-knuckles-of-his-hand-that-had-shaw-s-name-inked-across-them/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“I've had recurring nightmares that I was loved for who I am...and missed the opportunity to be a better man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muse/i-ve-had-recurring-nightmares-that-i-was-loved-for-who-i-am-and/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muse/) > [I shall state silences more competently than ever a better man spangled the butterflies of vertigo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/i-shall-state-silences-more-competently-than-ever-a-better-man/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [“That morning, lying with the woman I loved, a silent promise was formed in my head. I was going to be a better man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/that-morning-lying-with-the-woman-i-loved-a-silent-promise-was-formed/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [I'm better than your next man and if you're swingin' like you're dumber than the next man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-better-than-your-next-man-and-if-you-re-swingin-like-you-re/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [He’s playing every bit as hard as I am, only he knows what he’s doing and I don’t. Don’t blame me because he’s a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/he-s-playing-every-bit-as-hard-as-i-am-only-he-knows-what-he-s-doing/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Gentlemen, Admiral Lord Nelson wrote, of the officers aft on the quarterdeck and the seamen of the fo’c’sle: ‘Aft the most honour—forward the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-stockwin/gentlemen-admiral-lord-nelson-wrote-of-the-officers-aft-on-the/) Julian Stockwin > [“But both courses are to be avoided; you should not copy the bad simply because they are many, nor should you hate the many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/but-both-courses-are-to-be-avoided-you-should-not-copy-the-bad-simply/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“Any thought that you are better or less Than another man Quickly Breaks the wine Glass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ladinsky/any-thought-that-you-are-better-or-less-than-another-man-quickly/) [Daniel Ladinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ladinsky/) > [Remember 'beauty is in GODS EYES' YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL, but only you control your health, I'm not perfect but I'm striving to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-beauty-is-in-gods-eyes-you-all-are-beautiful-but-only-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 390 Better man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Will looked down at himself, at the knife at his feet, and remembered the knife he had buried at the base of the tree on the Shrewsbury-Welshpool road, stained with his blood and Jem’s. “All my life, since I came to the Institute, you were the mirror of my soul. I saw the good in me in you. In your eyes alone I found grace. When you are gone from me, who will see me like that?” There was a silence then. Jem stood as still as a statue. With his gaze Will searched for, and found, the parabatai rune on Jem’s shoulder; like his own, it had faded to a pale white. At last Jem spoke. The cool remoteness had left his voice. Will breathed in hard, remembering how much that voice had shaped the years of his growing up, its steady kindness a lighthouse beacon in the dark. “Have faith in yourself. You can be your own mirror.” “That words have the power to change us. Your words have changed me, Tess; they have made me a better man than I would have been otherwise. Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read. 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