--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They were quiet for a while, eating, then…" description: "\"“They were quiet for a while, eating, then Oromis asked, \"Can you tell me, What is the most important mental tool a person can possess?\" It was a serio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/christopher-paolini-622_determination_they-were-quiet-for-a-while-eating-then_1039253.png" --- # They were quiet for a while, eating, then Oromis asked… ![“They were quiet for a while, eating, then Oromis asked, "Can you tell me, What is the most important mental tool a person can possess?" It was a serious question, and Eragon considered it for a reasonable span before he ventured to say, "Determination." Oromis tore the loaf in half with his long…” quote by Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/christopher-paolini-622_determination_they-were-quiet-for-a-while-eating-then_1039253.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/christopher-paolini-622_determination_they-were-quiet-for-a-while-eating-then_1039253.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/christopher-paolini-622_determination_they-were-quiet-for-a-while-eating-then_1039253.png) > ““They were quiet for a while, eating, then Oromis asked, "Can you tell me, What is the most important mental tool a person can possess?" It was a serious question, and Eragon considered it for a reasonable span before he ventured to say, "Determination." Oromis tore the loaf in half with his long white fingers. "I can understand why you arrived at that conclusion-determination has served you well in your adventures-but no. I meant the tool most necessary to choose the best course of action in any given situation. Determination is as common among men who are dull and foolish as it is among those who are brilliant intellects. So, no, determination cannot be what we're looking for.”” [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. The most vital mental tool is the ability to discern the optimal action, not just determination. **In simple terms:** Choosing the best action matters more than sheer will. Key Takeaway Cultivate discernment over stubbornness. Themes decision making wisdom self-awareness Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical instructional When to use this quote - leadership - conflict resolution - personal growth - career planning Key Concepts Critical thinking strategic foresight Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help you evaluate options objectively? - How do you balance intuition with analysis? A Different Perspective Discernment can be clouded by bias or lack of information. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Determination Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-common-967038/) [Determination Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-looking-2419413/) [Determination Served](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-served-2419412/) [Introspection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introspection/) [Prescient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prescient/) [Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound/) [Say Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-determination-2419411/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“Determination is as common among men who are dull and foolish as it is among those who are brilliant intellects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/determination-is-as-common-among-men-who-are-dull-and-foolish-as-it/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“It takes great courage and determination, to keep looking for light in all the darkness of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/menna-van-praag/it-takes-great-courage-and-determination-to-keep-looking-for-light-in/) [Menna van Praag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/menna-van-praag/) > [FEAR will say GIVE UP! DETERMINATION will say KEEP TRYING! but WISDOM will ask IS IT WORTH IT?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/fear-will-say-give-up-determination-will-say-keep-trying-but-wisdom/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [I would say my determination is way higher than my smartness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-would-say-my-determination-is-way-higher-than-my-smartness/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [I think the important thing now is to have a celebration and then with determination move into our common, shared, different future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-d-higgins/i-think-the-important-thing-now-is-to-have-a-celebration-and-then/) [Michael D. Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-d-higgins/) > [“When once it is no longer possible to understand how a man gives his life for his country--and the time will come--then all is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-junger/when-once-it-is-no-longer-possible-to-understand-how-a-man-gives-his/) [Ernst Jünger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-junger/) > [When 'Ghost in the Shell' was first made, it was so prescient. It was sci-fi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/when-ghost-in-the-shell-was-first-made-it-was-so-prescient-it-was-sci/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do, but when you try to deal with prescient themes in the present, that is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/i-m-not-saying-it-s-a-bad-thing-to-do-but-when-you-try-to-deal-with/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [“Is the princess still in the fitting room?" "Oh no, darling. She appeared about half an hour ago. Poured herself a black coffee, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-bowen/is-the-princess-still-in-the-fitting-room-oh-no-darling-she-appeared/) [Rhys Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-bowen/) > [“The dangerous charm of GPC was that everything in the world could be called up; if you didn't look out, a couple of sessions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/the-dangerous-charm-of-gpc-was-that-everything-in-the-world-could-be/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [Network' is prescient beyond belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/network-is-prescient-beyond-belief/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [“What a phoney sense of belonging all this is, this which is offered by the public pals of this publicly gregarious age; it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hoggart/what-a-phoney-sense-of-belonging-all-this-is-this-which-is-offered-by/) [Richard Hoggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hoggart/) > [With 'A Steady Drip, Drip Drip,' some of the subjects that are written about on the album have come to be even more prescient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-mael/with-a-steady-drip-drip-drip-some-of-the-subjects-that-are-written/) [Russell Mael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-mael/) > [“Nothing makes me more nervous than people who say, ‘It can’t happen here.’ Anything can happen anywhere, given the right circumstances.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/nothing-makes-me-more-nervous-than-people-who-say-it-can-t-happen/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I think that any sort of fantasy or sci fi that is grounded in something that could ostensibly be real - 'Jurassic Park' being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mckinnon/i-think-that-any-sort-of-fantasy-or-sci-fi-that-is-grounded-in/) [Kate McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mckinnon/) ## 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 Determination quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/) [Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/) [Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/) > [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) [Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“They were quiet for a while, eating, then Oromis asked, \"Can you tell me, What is the most important mental tool a person can possess?\" It was a serious question, and Eragon considered it for a reasonable span before he ventured to say, \"Determination.\" Oromis tore the loaf in half with his long white fingers. \"I can understand why you arrived at that conclusion-determination has served you well in your adventures-but no. I meant the tool most necessary to choose the best course of action in any given situation. 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