--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know why you did it too. You can't…" description: "\"“I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal yourself until you change her back again. Isn't that it? You don't care what happens to her, or to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/peter-s-beagle-1665_green-eyes_i-know-why-you-did-it-too-you-can-t-beco_2771671.png" --- # I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal… ![“I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal yourself until you change her back again. Isn't that it? You don't care what happens to her, or to the others, just as long as you become a real magician, even if you change the Bull into a bullfrog, because it's still just a trick when you do it…” quote by Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/peter-s-beagle-1665_green-eyes_i-know-why-you-did-it-too-you-can-t-beco_2771671.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/peter-s-beagle-1665_green-eyes_i-know-why-you-did-it-too-you-can-t-beco_2771671.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/peter-s-beagle-1665_green-eyes_i-know-why-you-did-it-too-you-can-t-beco_2771671.png) > ““I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal yourself until you change her back again. Isn't that it? You don't care what happens to her, or to the others, just as long as you become a real magician, even if you change the Bull into a bullfrog, because it's still just a trick when you do it. You don't care about anything but magic, and what kind of magician is that? Schmendrick, I don't feel good. I have to sit down." Schmendrick must have carried her for a time, because she was definitely not walking and his green eyes were ringing in her head. "That's right. Nothing but magic matters to me. I would round up unicorns for Haggard myself if it would heighten my power but half a hair. It's true. I have no preferences and no loyalties. I have only magic." His voice was hard and sad. "Really?" she asked, rocking dreamily in her terror, watching the brightness flowing by. "That's awful." She was very impressed. "Are you really like that?" "No," he said, then or later. "No, it's not true. How could I be like that, and still have all these troubles?" Then he said, "Molly, you have to walk now.”” [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A magician prioritizes power over humanity, showing that obsession with magic can erase empathy and moral responsibility. **In simple terms:** Power over people replaces caring. Key Takeaway Beware letting ambition eclipse compassion. Themes power ambition morality magic isolation Mood sad reflective cautionary Type philosophical literary character study When to use this quote - leadership decisions - creative pursuits - personal relationships - risk of obsession Key Concepts ethical nihilism identity crisis dehumanization Questions to Reflect On - What cost does relentless pursuit of power exact? - Can magic be used responsibly? A Different Perspective Power without empathy can lead to self‑destruction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Magician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magician/) ## Related quotes > [The magician was studying her face with his green eyes. "Your face is wet," he said worriedly. "I hope that's spray. If you've become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-magician-was-studying-her-face-with-his-green-eyes-your-face-is/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [When I was about 13 or 14. I was in a Kingston Trio type group. We evolved into the New Breed. Our first song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-b-schmit/when-i-was-about-13-or-14-i-was-in-a-kingston-trio-type-group-we/) [Timothy B. Schmit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-b-schmit/) > [“Something, which the police called a bomb, had exploded in his shed. Investigations were begun, and the efforts of the authorities were soon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-von-salomon/something-which-the-police-called-a-bomb-had-exploded-in-his-shed/) Ernst von Salomon > [“Just like an old couple…I don’t see his dashing smile and green eyes anymore, I only see his fears, his rudeness, I see everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaia-b-amman/just-like-an-old-couple-i-don-t-see-his-dashing-smile-and-green-eyes/) [Gaia B. Amman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaia-b-amman/) > [“She slowly turned her head and looked at him. At his attractive, open face that could turn dark and reserved within seconds. The curve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kai-meyer/she-slowly-turned-her-head-and-looked-at-him-at-his-attractive-open/) [Kai Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kai-meyer/) > [“Burnett let out a low growl and motioned for the agent to leave. Then he glanced back at Miranda. "How were you able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/burnett-let-out-a-low-growl-and-motioned-for-the-agent-to-leave-then/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [“Livia used her mouth to warm any part of his body that felt cold. As she sucked his fingers, she heard a decision in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-anastasia/livia-used-her-mouth-to-warm-any-part-of-his-body-that-felt-cold-as/) [Debra Anastasia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-anastasia/) > [Her underwear, her jeans, the comforter, my corduroys and my boxers between us, I thought. Five layers, and yet I felt it, the nervous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/her-underwear-her-jeans-the-comforter-my-corduroys-and-my-boxers/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“I knew looking into those soulful green eyes that she was stronger than I'd ever been. She'd pulled herself together after I'd torn her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriane-leigh/i-knew-looking-into-those-soulful-green-eyes-that-she-was-stronger/) [Adriane Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriane-leigh/) > [“I gazed into her beautiful green eyes and her fear melted. A shy smile tugged at her lips and at my heart. Fuck me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-gazed-into-her-beautiful-green-eyes-and-her-fear-melted-a-shy-smile/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [“The old man stared at me with his bright green eyes. “You’re Gin Blanco, Genevieve Snow, and the Spider all rolled into one. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-estep/the-old-man-stared-at-me-with-his-bright-green-eyes-you-re-gin-blanco/) [Jennifer Estep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-estep/) > [“There must be a reason to smile, Miss François. Will you supply one?" It was Daisy's turn to stare. For a long moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-jo-wright/there-must-be-a-reason-to-smile-miss-fran-ois-will-you-supply-one-it/) [Jaime Jo Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-jo-wright/) > [“Sydney Katherine Sage,” he said, his green eyes full of love and earnestness. “Would you do a brooding, deadbeat Moroi the honor of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/sydney-katherine-sage-he-said-his-green-eyes-full-of-love-and/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“She was every bit of everything he remembered about her, all at once and all at the same time. That was Kerry McCrae in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/she-was-every-bit-of-everything-he-remembered-about-her-all-at-once/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [“I looked down into my baby’s beautiful green eyes and ached inside. She looked up at me with wide-eyed innocence. I kissed her warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/i-looked-down-into-my-baby-s-beautiful-green-eyes-and-ached-inside/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) ## More by Peter S. Beagle > [Your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. I would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/your-name-is-a-golden-bell-hung-in-my-heart-i-would-break-my-body-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Farewell,' she said. 'I hope you hear many more songs' - which was the best way she could think of to say good-bye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/farewell-she-said-i-hope-you-hear-many-more-songs-which-was-the-best/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [He is a great enough magician to tap our most common nightmares, daydreams and twilight fancies, but he never invented them either: he found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/he-is-a-great-enough-magician-to-tap-our-most-common-nightmares/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [...no place is more enchanted than where a unicorn has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/no-place-is-more-enchanted-than-where-a-unicorn-has-been-born/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“...and it's not my place to chase around after you, fixing stuff. What I know's what I know, and it don't include putting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/and-it-s-not-my-place-to-chase-around-after-you-fixing-stuff-what-i/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The most professional curse ever snarled or croaked or thundered can have no effect on a pure heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-most-professional-curse-ever-snarled-or-croaked-or-thundered-can/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“The baloney weighed the raven down, and the shopkeeper almost caught him as he whisked out the delicatessen door.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-baloney-weighed-the-raven-down-and-the-shopkeeper-almost-caught/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Men have to have heroes, but no man can ever be as big as the need, and so a legend grows around a grain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/men-have-to-have-heroes-but-no-man-can-ever-be-as-big-as-the-need-and/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [A Clock is not time; it's numbers and springs. Pay it no mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/a-clock-is-not-time-it-s-numbers-and-springs-pay-it-no-mind/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen. A quest may not simply be abandoned; unicorns may go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/heroes-know-that-things-must-happen-when-it-is-time-for-them-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The Lady Amalthea beckoned, and the cat wriggled all over, like a dog, but he would not come near... She was offering her open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-lady-amalthea-beckoned-and-the-cat-wriggled-all-over-like-a-dog/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Where have you been?" she cried. "Damn you, where have you been?" She took a few steps toward Schmendrick, but she was looking beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/where-have-you-been-she-cried-damn-you-where-have-you-been-she-took-a/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Unicorns are not to be forgiven." The magician felt himself growing giddy with jealousy, not only of the touch but of something like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-are-not-to-be-forgiven-the-magician-felt-himself-growing/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The magician stood erect, menacing the attackers with demons, metamorphoses, paralyzing ailments, and secret judo holds. Molly picked up a rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-magician-stood-erect-menacing-the-attackers-with-demons/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [You pile of stones, you waste, you desolation, I'll stuff you with misery till it comes out of your eyes. I'll change your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/you-pile-of-stones-you-waste-you-desolation-i-ll-stuff-you-with/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) [Explore all 218 Peter S. Beagle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) ## More Green eyes quotes > [“I looked down into my baby’s beautiful green eyes and ached inside. She looked up at me with wide-eyed innocence. I kissed her warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/i-looked-down-into-my-baby-s-beautiful-green-eyes-and-ached-inside/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [“She was every bit of everything he remembered about her, all at once and all at the same time. That was Kerry McCrae in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/she-was-every-bit-of-everything-he-remembered-about-her-all-at-once/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [“Sydney Katherine Sage,” he said, his green eyes full of love and earnestness. “Would you do a brooding, deadbeat Moroi the honor of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/sydney-katherine-sage-he-said-his-green-eyes-full-of-love-and/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“There must be a reason to smile, Miss François. Will you supply one?" It was Daisy's turn to stare. For a long moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-jo-wright/there-must-be-a-reason-to-smile-miss-fran-ois-will-you-supply-one-it/) [Jaime Jo Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-jo-wright/) > [“The old man stared at me with his bright green eyes. “You’re Gin Blanco, Genevieve Snow, and the Spider all rolled into one. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-estep/the-old-man-stared-at-me-with-his-bright-green-eyes-you-re-gin-blanco/) [Jennifer Estep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-estep/) > [“I gazed into her beautiful green eyes and her fear melted. A shy smile tugged at her lips and at my heart. Fuck me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-gazed-into-her-beautiful-green-eyes-and-her-fear-melted-a-shy-smile/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [“I knew looking into those soulful green eyes that she was stronger than I'd ever been. She'd pulled herself together after I'd torn her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriane-leigh/i-knew-looking-into-those-soulful-green-eyes-that-she-was-stronger/) [Adriane Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriane-leigh/) > [Her underwear, her jeans, the comforter, my corduroys and my boxers between us, I thought. Five layers, and yet I felt it, the nervous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/her-underwear-her-jeans-the-comforter-my-corduroys-and-my-boxers/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Livia used her mouth to warm any part of his body that felt cold. As she sucked his fingers, she heard a decision in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-anastasia/livia-used-her-mouth-to-warm-any-part-of-his-body-that-felt-cold-as/) [Debra Anastasia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-anastasia/) > [“Burnett let out a low growl and motioned for the agent to leave. Then he glanced back at Miranda. "How were you able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/burnett-let-out-a-low-growl-and-motioned-for-the-agent-to-leave-then/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [“She slowly turned her head and looked at him. At his attractive, open face that could turn dark and reserved within seconds. The curve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kai-meyer/she-slowly-turned-her-head-and-looked-at-him-at-his-attractive-open/) [Kai Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kai-meyer/) > [“Just like an old couple…I don’t see his dashing smile and green eyes anymore, I only see his fears, his rudeness, I see everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaia-b-amman/just-like-an-old-couple-i-don-t-see-his-dashing-smile-and-green-eyes/) [Gaia B. Amman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaia-b-amman/) > [“Something, which the police called a bomb, had exploded in his shed. Investigations were begun, and the efforts of the authorities were soon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-von-salomon/something-which-the-police-called-a-bomb-had-exploded-in-his-shed/) Ernst von Salomon > [When I was about 13 or 14. I was in a Kingston Trio type group. We evolved into the New Breed. Our first song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-b-schmit/when-i-was-about-13-or-14-i-was-in-a-kingston-trio-type-group-we/) [Timothy B. Schmit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-b-schmit/) > [“Look, Jordan, you’re not alone any more. It’s my job to protect you while I’m here and I can’t do that if you keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyoko-m/look-jordan-you-re-not-alone-any-more-it-s-my-job-to-protect-you/) [Kyoko M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyoko-m/) Browse all 455 Green eyes quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal yourself until you change her back again. Isn't that it? You don't care what happens to her, or to the others, just as long as you become a real magician, even if you change the Bull into a bullfrog, because it's still just a trick when you do it. You don't care about anything but magic, and what kind of magician is that? Schmendrick, I don't feel good. I have to sit down.\" Schmendrick must have carried her for a time, because she was definitely not walking and his green eyes were ringing in her head. \"That's right. Nothing but magic matters to me. I would round up unicorns for Haggard myself if it would heighten my power but half a hair. It's true. I have no preferences and no loyalties. I have only magic.\" His voice was hard and sad. \"Really?\" she asked, rocking dreamily in her terror, watching the brightness flowing by. \"That's awful.\" She was very impressed. \"Are you really like that?\" \"No,\" he said, then or later. \"No, it's not true. 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