--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The true agony of war isn't being wounded…" description: "\"“The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you care about being hurt.”\" — Christopher Paolini" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png" --- # The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's… ![“The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you care about being hurt.” quote by Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png) > ““The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you care about being hurt.”” [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. War’s deepest pain is watching loved ones suffer, not personal injury. **In simple terms:** Seeing others hurt is the worst part of war. Key Takeaway Support those you care about. Themes war suffering empathy Mood somber reflective Type philosophical emotional When to use this quote - family - friendships - military service Key Concepts human cost psychological trauma Questions to Reflect On - How do you cope with others’ pain? - What can you do to help? A Different Perspective Might overlook personal trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brisingr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brisingr/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wounded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounded/) ## Related quotes > [When I saw Fäolin fall, I understood then that the true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/when-i-saw-f-olin-fall-i-understood-then-that-the-true-agony-of-war/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“There is much you can learn from books and scrolls. These books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/there-is-much-you-can-learn-from-books-and-scrolls-these-books-are-my/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“The way the Rider flourished his sword afterward- spinning it in a quick circle by his side- suddenly seemed familiar to Eragon, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-way-the-rider-flourished-his-sword-afterward-spinning-it-in-a/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“So the question becomes, If you are ever faced with this choice are you willing to die for what you believe in? For that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/so-the-question-becomes-if-you-are-ever-faced-with-this-choice-are/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [The difficulties of peace are better than the agony of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/menachem-begin/the-difficulties-of-peace-are-better-than-the-agony-of-war/) [Menachem Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/menachem-begin/) > [As a person i couldnt say, although i am well apuainted with tales of his atrocities. every time brom and i crossed paths with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/as-a-person-i-couldnt-say-although-i-am-well-apuainted-with-tales-of/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Sword, I name thee Brisingr! And with a sound of rushing wind the blade burst into flame, an envelope of sapphire-blue fire writhing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/sword-i-name-thee-brisingr-and-with-a-sound-of-rushing-wind-the-blade/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I know what we do is right but right doesn't always mean easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-know-what-we-do-is-right-but-right-doesn-t-always-mean-easy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“No, he said, we are not alone. I have you, and you have me. And there is Arya and Nasuada and Orik, and many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/no-he-said-we-are-not-alone-i-have-you-and-you-have-me-and-there-is/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [If you wish to be happy,Eragon, Think not of what is to come nor of that which you have no control over but rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/if-you-wish-to-be-happy-eragon-think-not-of-what-is-to-come-nor-of/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [What will happen will happen and I won't waste my time worrying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/what-will-happen-will-happen-and-i-won-t-waste-my-time-worrying/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [To while away the day contemplating evils that might have been is to poison the happiness we already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/to-while-away-the-day-contemplating-evils-that-might-have-been-is-to/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Ah, pay no heed if your enemies laugh. They'll not be able to once you lop off their heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/ah-pay-no-heed-if-your-enemies-laugh-they-ll-not-be-able-to-once-you/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Misfoutune always comes to those who wait. The trick is to find happiness in the breif gaps between distaters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/misfoutune-always-comes-to-those-who-wait-the-trick-is-to-find/) [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/) ## 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. All else was suspect, even her own thoughts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-only-thing-she-could-be-certain-of-was-that-she-existed-all-else/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“But you possess one quality that no one else does. Oh? Your identity. Your history, deeds and situation. Use those to shape your creation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/but-you-possess-one-quality-that-no-one-else-does-oh-your-identity/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Left weaponless, Roran was forced to retreat before the remaining soldier. He stumbled over a corpse, cutting his calf on a sword as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/left-weaponless-roran-was-forced-to-retreat-before-the-remaining/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Let go of your worries and focus only on the task at hand. The future will be what it will, and fretting about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/let-go-of-your-worries-and-focus-only-on-the-task-at-hand-the-future/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I've always been very grateful that enough people have enjoyed reading what I've written that I've been able to pursue writing professionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-ve-always-been-very-grateful-that-enough-people-have-enjoyed/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) [Explore all 393 Christopher Paolini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) ## More Brisingr quotes > [“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/) > [Misfoutune always comes to those who wait. The trick is to find happiness in the breif gaps between distaters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/misfoutune-always-comes-to-those-who-wait-the-trick-is-to-find/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Ah, pay no heed if your enemies laugh. They'll not be able to once you lop off their heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/ah-pay-no-heed-if-your-enemies-laugh-they-ll-not-be-able-to-once-you/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [To while away the day contemplating evils that might have been is to poison the happiness we already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/to-while-away-the-day-contemplating-evils-that-might-have-been-is-to/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [What will happen will happen and I won't waste my time worrying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/what-will-happen-will-happen-and-i-won-t-waste-my-time-worrying/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [If you wish to be happy,Eragon, Think not of what is to come nor of that which you have no control over but rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/if-you-wish-to-be-happy-eragon-think-not-of-what-is-to-come-nor-of/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“No, he said, we are not alone. I have you, and you have me. And there is Arya and Nasuada and Orik, and many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/no-he-said-we-are-not-alone-i-have-you-and-you-have-me-and-there-is/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [I know what we do is right but right doesn't always mean easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-know-what-we-do-is-right-but-right-doesn-t-always-mean-easy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Sword, I name thee Brisingr! And with a sound of rushing wind the blade burst into flame, an envelope of sapphire-blue fire writhing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/sword-i-name-thee-brisingr-and-with-a-sound-of-rushing-wind-the-blade/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [As a person i couldnt say, although i am well apuainted with tales of his atrocities. every time brom and i crossed paths with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/as-a-person-i-couldnt-say-although-i-am-well-apuainted-with-tales-of/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“A true warrior,” she said, “does not fight because he wishes to but because he has to. A man who yearns for war, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/a-true-warrior-she-said-does-not-fight-because-he-wishes-to-but/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [Death is part of who we are. It guides us. It shapes us. It drives us to madness. Can you still be human if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/death-is-part-of-who-we-are-it-guides-us-it-shapes-us-it-drives-us-to/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Leave the dead to the Earth. They are not for us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini-valdr/leave-the-dead-to-the-earth-they-are-not-for-us/) Christopher Paolini Valdr > [Arya.' He looked down the silvery river and then back at Arya, and he gripped the hilt of Brisingr. He was so full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/arya-he-looked-down-the-silvery-river-and-then-back-at-arya-and-he/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“But the constant motion of the flames soon lulled him into a passive state where unrelated fragments of thoughts, sounds, images, and emotions drifted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/but-the-constant-motion-of-the-flames-soon-lulled-him-into-a-passive/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) [Browse all 18 Brisingr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brisingr/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you care about being hurt.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Paolini" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounded-yourself-it-s-having-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brisingr" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounded-yourself-it-s-having-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/christopher-paolini-622_brisingr_the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounde_2216930.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The true agony of war isn't being wounded yourself, it's having to watch those you care about being hurt.” — Christopher Paolini", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Paolini", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The true agony of war isn't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounded-yourself-it-s-having-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-true-agony-of-war-isn-t-being-wounded-yourself-it-s-having-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```