--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Young men!” he snorted to Erak. “They…" description: "\"“Young men!” he snorted to Erak. “They think a pretty face can cure every ill.” “Some of us can remember back that far. Halt,” Erak told him with a gri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/john-flanagan-904_gaze_young-men-he-snorted-to-erak-they-think_1289257.jpg" --- # Young men!” he snorted to Erak. “They think a pretty face… ![“Young men!” he snorted to Erak. “They think a pretty face can cure every ill.” “Some of us can remember back that far. Halt,” Erak told him with a grin. “I suppose that’s all far behind an old hack like you. Svengal told me you were settling down. Some plump, motherly widow seizing her last chance…” quote by John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/john-flanagan-904_gaze_young-men-he-snorted-to-erak-they-think_1289257.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/john-flanagan-904_gaze_young-men-he-snorted-to-erak-they-think_1289257.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/john-flanagan-904_gaze_young-men-he-snorted-to-erak-they-think_1289257.jpg) > ““Young men!” he snorted to Erak. “They think a pretty face can cure every ill.” “Some of us can remember back that far. Halt,” Erak told him with a grin. “I suppose that’s all far behind an old hack like you. Svengal told me you were settling down. Some plump, motherly widow seizing her last chance with a broken-down old gray bear, is she?” Erak, of course, had been told by Svengal that Halt had recently married a great beauty. But he enjoyed getting a reaction from the smaller man. Halt’s one-eyed stare locked onto the Oberjarl. “When we get back, I’d advise you not to refer to Pauline as a ‘plump, motherly widow’ in her hearing. She’s very good with that dagger she carries and you need your ears to keep that ridiculous helmet of yours in place.”” [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Superficial judgments based on appearance are flawed; true character is revealed through actions and deeper understanding. **In simple terms:** Looks can be deceiving; character matters more. Key Takeaway Judge people by deeds, not looks. Themes appearance judgment humor wisdom relationships Mood amusing thoughtful Type advice literary When to use this quote - team leadership - conflict resolution - personal relationships - storytelling Key Concepts character assessment social dynamics communication Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you make about others based on looks? - How can you look beyond appearances? A Different Perspective Humor may mask serious critique, and the advice could be seen as patronizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Erak Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erak-told-1651434/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Last chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-chance/) [Pretty face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty-face/) [Snorted Erak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snorted-erak-4194357/) [Svengal Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/svengal-told-4194354/) [Told Svengal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/told-svengal-4194355/) [Widow Seizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/widow-seizing-4194356/) [Young men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-men/) ## Related quotes > [“I'm reminded of a conversation I had with your father when you wanted to go to Arrida to ransom Erak. 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Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-highway-s-jammed-with-broken-heroes-on-a-last-chance-power-drive/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“When the NSSF fights against legislation designed to prevent mass shootings because it “won’t work and is a violation of rights,” we understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trae-crowder/when-the-nssf-fights-against-legislation-designed-to-prevent-mass/) [Trae Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trae-crowder/) > [Well now I'm no hero, that's understood. All the redemption I can offer girl, is beneath this dirty hood. With a chance to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/well-now-i-m-no-hero-that-s-understood-all-the-redemption-i-can-offer/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Use your second chance as your last chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syed-muhd/use-your-second-chance-as-your-last-chance/) [Syed Muhd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syed-muhd/) > [When you dub for your own character, it is the last chance to play the part again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanya-malhotra/when-you-dub-for-your-own-character-it-is-the-last-chance-to-play-the/) [Sanya Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanya-malhotra/) > [Maybe it is the last chance for Europe to influence standards for world trade. Next it will be between the US and the Asia-Pacific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmar-gabriel/maybe-it-is-the-last-chance-for-europe-to-influence-standards-for/) [Sigmar Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmar-gabriel/) > [“I can’t help feeling as if this is my last chance,” Evan said. He was sitting opposite Dr. Lorne, a psychiatrist at the Havilland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-field/i-can-t-help-feeling-as-if-this-is-my-last-chance-evan-said-he-was/) [Ryan Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-field/) > [There is one, and only one solution, and we have almost no time to try it. We must turn all our resources to repairing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mollison/there-is-one-and-only-one-solution-and-we-have-almost-no-time-to-try/) [Bill Mollison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mollison/) > [“Your NOT FALLING APART, i tell my self. IF ONLY YOU KNEW, its HARDER TO BREATH with out you. THE AIR I BREATH is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhyan-roads/your-not-falling-apart-i-tell-my-self-if-only-you-knew-its-harder-to/) [Rhyan Roads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhyan-roads/) ## More by John Flanagan > [What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“There's a tavern by the docks. He's there most evenings." "Then I'll talk to him tonight," Halt said. "You can try. But he's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/there-s-a-tavern-by-the-docks-he-s-there-most-evenings-then-i-ll-talk/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The sun was trembling on the brink of the world, the shadows at their longest, and they still had several kilometers to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-sun-was-trembling-on-the-brink-of-the-world-the-shadows-at-their/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [We're going to see Ragnak," Halt told him. "He's going to have to promise to free every slave who fights for Hallasholm." Will shook…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/we-re-going-to-see-ragnak-halt-told-him-he-s-going-to-have-to-promise/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“We must wait," she said. "They are involved in important buisness." Her tone was serious, almost reverntial. The two of them stopped, some five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/we-must-wait-she-said-they-are-involved-in-important-buisness-her/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [So I'm an ace?' Will grinned. 'I'm flattered Halt, flattered. I had no idea you regarded me so highly.' Halt gave him a long-suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/so-i-m-an-ace-will-grinned-i-m-flattered-halt-flattered-i-had-no-idea/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Damn! I hate farewells!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/damn-i-hate-farewells/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“They sailed into Raguza and Hal said, as bold as brass, “We’ve come to challenge Zavac and we plan to kick his—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/they-sailed-into-raguza-and-hal-said-as-bold-as-brass-we-ve-come-to/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Are there bears in these mountains?" he asked. His companion nodded. "Of course. But it's a bit early in the year for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/are-there-bears-in-these-mountains-he-asked-his-companion-nodded-of/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well I'm not dancing," Will said through gritted teeth. "I don't know how." Oh yes you are," Alyss told him. "Let's hope you're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-i-m-not-dancing-will-said-through-gritted-teeth-i-don-t-know-how/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The battle, if you could call it that, lasted no more than a few seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-battle-if-you-could-call-it-that-lasted-no-more-than-a-few-seconds/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well, we can ride together for a while longer. The highway south is farther along this way. I'll be glad of some cheerful company."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-we-can-ride-together-for-a-while-longer-the-highway-south-is/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Does it matter?" Halt asked. Horace shrugged. "Not really, I suppose. I just wondered why you'd gone to the kitchen and why you took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/does-it-matter-halt-asked-horace-shrugged-not-really-i-suppose-i-just/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Maybe we should have gone with him," he said, a few minutes after his friend was lost to sight. "Three of us would make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/maybe-we-should-have-gone-with-him-he-said-a-few-minutes-after-his/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Best way then is to be waiting for them to bring Halt and the others out of that prison,” he said, almost to himself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/best-way-then-is-to-be-waiting-for-them-to-bring-halt-and-the-others/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) [Explore all 327 John Flanagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. 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Svengal told me you were settling down. Some plump, motherly widow seizing her last chance with a broken-down old gray bear, is she?” Erak, of course, had been told by Svengal that Halt had recently married a great beauty. But he enjoyed getting a reaction from the smaller man. Halt’s one-eyed stare locked onto the Oberjarl. “When we get back, I’d advise you not to refer to Pauline as a ‘plump, motherly widow’ in her hearing. 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