--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have a new name for pain. What’s that?…" description: "\"“I have a new name for pain. What’s that? The Obliterator. Because when you’re in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought. Not emotion. Only the driv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/christopher-paolini-622_animal_i-have-a-new-name-for-pain-what-s-that-t_2677742.jpg" --- # I have a new name for pain. What’s that? The Obliterator… ![“I have a new name for pain. What’s that? The Obliterator. Because when you’re in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought. Not emotion. Only the drive to escape the pain. When it’s strong enough, the Obliterator strips us of everything that makes us who we are, until we’re reduced to creatures…” quote by Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/christopher-paolini-622_animal_i-have-a-new-name-for-pain-what-s-that-t_2677742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/christopher-paolini-622_animal_i-have-a-new-name-for-pain-what-s-that-t_2677742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/christopher-paolini-622_animal_i-have-a-new-name-for-pain-what-s-that-t_2677742.jpg) > ““I have a new name for pain. What’s that? The Obliterator. Because when you’re in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought. Not emotion. Only the drive to escape the pain. When it’s strong enough, the Obliterator strips us of everything that makes us who we are, until we’re reduced to creatures less than animals, creatures with a single desire and goal: escape. A good name, then. ”” [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense pain can dominate consciousness, reducing identity to a single drive to escape, erasing thought and feeling. **In simple terms:** Pain can erase self. Key Takeaway Develop healthy coping for pain. Themes pain identity survival psychology humanity Mood somber intense thoughtful Type psychological philosophical literary When to use this quote - pain management therapy - mindfulness practice - support groups - creative expression - physical training Key Concepts neuroscience philosophy mental health Questions to Reflect On - How does pain affect your sense of self? - What strategies preserve identity during suffering? A Different Perspective Not all pain leads to loss of self; resilience can persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Eldest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eldest/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Eragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eragon/) [Escape Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escape-pain-766788/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Good Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-name/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Obliterator Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obliterator-pain-2554565/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Pain Exist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-exist-2554566/) [Pain Obliterator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-obliterator-2554564/) [Pain Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-strong-666991/) [Saphira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saphira/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-enough/) [Who we are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-we-are/) ## Related quotes > [If he fancied her anymore," Saphira said to both Eragon and Roran, "I'd be trying to kiss Arya myself." "Saphira!" Mortified, Eragon swatted her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/if-he-fancied-her-anymore-saphira-said-to-both-eragon-and-roran-i-d/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Eragon went to see the dragon for the first time since it had spoken to him. He approached apprehensively, aware now that it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/eragon-went-to-see-the-dragon-for-the-first-time-since-it-had-spoken/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [...life is in Fate's hands now. You made your choice to stay... it's too late to change that, so stop agonizing over it… You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/life-is-in-fate-s-hands-now-you-made-your-choice-to-stay-it-s-too/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [A hatchling, that is what you are. A hatchling struggling into the world. I may be younger than you in years, but I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/a-hatchling-that-is-what-you-are-a-hatchling-struggling-into-the/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Haven't had your fill of interesting events?" "Never. They are the spice of life." She held up her half-finished hat. "How do you like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/haven-t-had-your-fill-of-interesting-events-never-they-are-the-spice/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [How noble. Oh we would fell many...-you with magic and blade, whilst my weapons would be tooth and claw-but it would be futile in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/how-noble-oh-we-would-fell-many-you-with-magic-and-blade-whilst-my/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [ That s the problem I ve been choosing male names. You are a she! \[To Saphira, while trying to choose her name.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/that-s-the-problem-i-ve-been-choosing-male-names-you-are-a-she-to/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [The debate raged on for so long, at last Saphira had interrupted with a roar that shook the walls of the command tent. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-debate-raged-on-for-so-long-at-last-saphira-had-interrupted-with/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I'm healthy as an ox. And you?" "To compare myself with a bovine would be both ridiculous and insulting, but I'm fit as ever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-m-healthy-as-an-ox-and-you-to-compare-myself-with-a-bovine-would-be/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [With her jaws and talons, Saphira tore through an Urgal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/with-her-jaws-and-talons-saphira-tore-through-an-urgal/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Saphira waved her tail, the tip whistling loudly. "I'm not asking you to. However, if we attack first, we may gain the advantage." "Have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/saphira-waved-her-tail-the-tip-whistling-loudly-i-m-not-asking-you-to/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [HERE LIES BROM Who was A Rider bonded to the dragon Saphira Son of Holcomb and Nelda Beloved of Selena Father of Eragon Shadeslayer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/here-lies-brom-who-was-a-rider-bonded-to-the-dragon-saphira-son-of/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [After all, how can a mere dragon expect to tell a man like yourself what to do? In fact, everyone should stand in awe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/after-all-how-can-a-mere-dragon-expect-to-tell-a-man-like-yourself/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [We are about to change history, said Saphira. We’re throwing ourselves off a cliff without knowing how deep the water below is. Ah, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/we-are-about-to-change-history-said-saphira-we-re-throwing-ourselves/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [She gave him a wan smile. "And then you came, Eragon. You and Saphira. After hope had deserted me and I was about to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/she-gave-him-a-wan-smile-and-then-you-came-eragon-you-and-saphira/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) ## More by Christopher Paolini > [Life is pain...anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/life-is-pain-anyone-who-tells-you-otherwise-is-selling-something/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Understanding breeds empathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/understanding-breeds-empathy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [If he fancied her anymore," Saphira said to both Eragon and Roran, "I'd be trying to kiss Arya myself." "Saphira!" Mortified, Eragon swatted her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/if-he-fancied-her-anymore-saphira-said-to-both-eragon-and-roran-i-d/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Clear your mind of such thoughts. They cannot be answered and will make you no happier.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/clear-your-mind-of-such-thoughts-they-cannot-be-answered-and-will/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [We are about to change history, said Saphira. We’re throwing ourselves off a cliff without knowing how deep the water below is. Ah, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/we-are-about-to-change-history-said-saphira-we-re-throwing-ourselves/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I don't discuss my own beliefs in public, but I will say the beliefs I've given my characters do not necessarily represent what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-don-t-discuss-my-own-beliefs-in-public-but-i-will-say-the-beliefs-i/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I've never been helpless, I just have powerful enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-ve-never-been-helpless-i-just-have-powerful-enemies/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Islanzadi sighed, and suddenly appeared tired. “Ormomis may have been your proper teacher, but you have proved yourself to be Brom’s heir, not Oromis’s.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/islanzadi-sighed-and-suddenly-appeared-tired-ormomis-may-have-been/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Regardless of whether I can shift my affections to another - and the heart, as you observed, is a notoriously fickle beast - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/regardless-of-whether-i-can-shift-my-affections-to-another-and-the/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“You worry about a crack in the floor while the whole mountain is about to come down on us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/you-worry-about-a-crack-in-the-floor-while-the-whole-mountain-is/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“The only thing she could be certain of was that she existed. 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