--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither torch nor dagger,\" Annabeth said…" description: "\"Neither torch nor dagger,\" Annabeth said firmly. \"There is a third test, which I will pass.\" \"A third test?\" the pater demanded. \"Mithras was born from..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg" --- # Neither torch nor dagger," Annabeth said firmly. "There is… ![“Neither torch nor dagger," Annabeth said firmly. "There is a third test, which I will pass." "A third test?" the pater demanded. "Mithras was born from rock," Annabeth said, hoping she was right. "He emerged fully grown from the stone, holding his dagger and torch." The screaming and wailing told…” quote by Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg) > “Neither torch nor dagger," Annabeth said firmly. "There is a third test, which I will pass." "A third test?" the pater demanded. "Mithras was born from rock," Annabeth said, hoping she was right. "He emerged fully grown from the stone, holding his dagger and torch." The screaming and wailing told her she had guessed correctly. "The big mother knows all!" a ghost cried. "That is our most closely guarded secret!" Then maybe you shouldn't put a statue of it on your altar, Annabeth thought.” [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character faces a mysterious challenge, trusting intuition and ancient lore to succeed. **In simple terms:** Trust intuition and hidden knowledge to overcome trials. Key Takeaway Believe in unseen guidance. Themes mythology adventure trust knowledge challenge Mood mysterious dramatic Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - solving puzzles - exploring ruins - team decision-making - overcoming fear Key Concepts heroic quest cryptic tests ancient myths Questions to Reflect On - What hidden truths guide you? - How do you test unknown challenges? A Different Perspective Reliance on myth may limit practical reasoning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altar Annabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altar-annabeth-4187664/) [Annabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annabeth/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Dagger Annabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dagger-annabeth-4187663/) [Daggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daggers/) [Demanded Mithras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demanded-mithras-4187661/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarded/) [Mithras Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mithras-born-4187662/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Rocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocks/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) [Thirds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirds/) [Torch Dagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torch-dagger-4187665/) [Torches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torches/) [Wailing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wailing/) ## Related quotes > [Percy: I thought I’d lost my mom forever, and I was stuck on a hill in a thunderstorm fighting this huge bull dude while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-i-thought-i-d-lost-my-mom-forever-and-i-was-stuck-on-a-hill-in/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [If anyone asks you if you’re taken,” I said, “the answer is yes.” “I think I can live with that,” he promised. “Good,” I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/if-anyone-asks-you-if-you-re-taken-i-said-the-answer-is-yes-i-think-i/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Surfing?” he asked. She laughed, and the sound sent a shock wave through the water. The wailing faded to background noise. Annabeth wondered if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/surfing-he-asked-she-laughed-and-the-sound-sent-a-shock-wave-through/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I felt if I went chronologically, I'd get bogged down in childhood and that's part of our culture of complaint in America. This endless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/i-felt-if-i-went-chronologically-i-d-get-bogged-down-in-childhood-and/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [Humanity looks upon Jesus the Nazarene as a poor-born Who suffered misery and humiliation with all of the weak. And He is pitied, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/humanity-looks-upon-jesus-the-nazarene-as-a-poor-born-who-suffered/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Saturday night at my house, I often trot out classic movies and force the urchins to watch them. There is much wailing and gnashing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/saturday-night-at-my-house-i-often-trot-out-classic-movies-and-force/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year, Of wailing winds, and naked woods and meadows brown and sear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-bryant/the-melancholy-days-are-come-the-saddest-of-the-year-of-wailing-winds/) [William C. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) > [There sighs, lamentations and loud wailings resounded through the starless air, so that at first it made me weep; strange tongues, horrible language, words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/there-sighs-lamentations-and-loud-wailings-resounded-through-the/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Do one of three things. One, go and find a wailing wall and feel sorry for yourselves. Two, go psycho and start bombing --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-one-of-three-things-one-go-and-find-a-wailing-wall-and-feel-sorry/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My neighbor Alice Pierce is fond of singing folk music to her garden plants. Thinks it makes them grow or something. The Major had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-simonson/my-neighbor-alice-pierce-is-fond-of-singing-folk-music-to-her-garden/) [Helen Simonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-simonson/) > [But as in wailing there's nought availing, And Death unfailing will strike the blow, Then for that reason, and for a season, Let us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-philpot-curran/but-as-in-wailing-there-s-nought-availing-and-death-unfailing-will/) [John Philpot Curran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-philpot-curran/) > [Everyone knows that quote because of the Doors." Jace looked at her blankly. "The Doors. They were a band." "If you say so," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/everyone-knows-that-quote-because-of-the-doors-jace-looked-at-her/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Hungry wailing standeth not aloof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hungry-wailing-standeth-not-aloof/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [These tears I'm wailing, I spill not without reason. Remove them, my dearest love. Take me to the place I've been dreaming of, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/these-tears-i-m-wailing-i-spill-not-without-reason-remove-them-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The wailing of the newborn infant is mingled with the dirge for the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-wailing-of-the-newborn-infant-is-mingled-with-the-dirge-for-the/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) ## More by Rick Riordan > [“It made sense, and I felt kind of stupid. I’d been hanging around dryads”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-made-sense-and-i-felt-kind-of-stupid-i-d-been-hanging-around-dryads/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-started-toward-the-entrance-seriously-how-could-he-not-he-stopped/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“When you take someone’s hand and lead them to Valhalla, you get a glimpse into their soul.” “Did that happen when you took me?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/when-you-take-someone-s-hand-and-lead-them-to-valhalla-you-get-a/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“he didn’t look as good as Piper had last night after she’d suddenly been transformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-didn-t-look-as-good-as-piper-had-last-night-after-she-d-suddenly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Leo plunked the cheese wheel in front of me. "Cut me a wedge of this, my good ma. Chop-chop!" I scowled at him. "Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-plunked-the-cheese-wheel-in-front-of-me-cut-me-a-wedge-of-this-my/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-" "Hang on," I said. "Shoe?" "S-h-u," she said. "The god of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-disobeyed-ra-s-wishes-and-so-he-ordered-my-onw-father-shu-hang-on-i/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. "If the others found out-" "If the others found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/nico-knelt-and-picked-it-up-he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/wouldn-t-that-put-a-twist-in-your-toga/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Explore all 2,993 Rick Riordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More Annabeth quotes > [Marvelous,” she said. “Tell me about this tapestry.” Arachne’s lips curled over her mandibles. “Why do you care? You're about to die.” “Well, yes,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/marvelous-she-said-tell-me-about-this-tapestry-arachne-s-lips-curled/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Annabeth realized that if six of them went on these two quests, it would leave Percy alone on the ship with Coach Hedge, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/annabeth-realized-that-if-six-of-them-went-on-these-two-quests-it/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [During their separation, something had happened to Annabeth's feelings. They'd grown painfully intense-like she'd been forced to withdraw from a life-saving medication. Now she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/during-their-separation-something-had-happened-to-annabeth-s-feelings/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Tyson! Thank the gods, Annabeth is hurt!" "You thank the gods that she is hurt?" he asked, puzzled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/tyson-thank-the-gods-annabeth-is-hurt-you-thank-the-gods-that-she-is/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The waiter brought fresh-baked bread and cheese, a bottle of sparkling water for Annabeth, and a Coke with ice for me (because I’m a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-waiter-brought-fresh-baked-bread-and-cheese-a-bottle-of-sparkling/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“We only came close to dying six or seven times which I thought was pretty good. A minute later Annabeth hit a slippery patch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/we-only-came-close-to-dying-six-or-seven-times-which-i-thought-was/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Annabeth's face, her blond hair and gray eyes, the way she laughed, threw her arms around him, and gave him a kiss whenever he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/annabeth-s-face-her-blond-hair-and-gray-eyes-the-way-she-laughed/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Percy (to Annabeth): If I was going to pick one person in the world to reattach my head, I'd pick you. Silena: Awww .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-to-annabeth-if-i-was-going-to-pick-one-person-in-the-world-to/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Everyone thinks you've been kidnapped," he said. "We've been scouring the ship. When Coach Hedge finds out- oh, gods, you've been here all night?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/everyone-thinks-you-ve-been-kidnapped-he-said-we-ve-been-scouring-the/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [They chose the olive" "They must really like olives" "Forget it" "Now if she invented pizza that i can understand" -Percy to Annabeth in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/they-chose-the-olive-they-must-really-like-olives-forget-it-now-if/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Tyson thought Annabeth was just about the coolest thing since peanut butter, and he SERIOUSLY loved peanut butter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/tyson-thought-annabeth-was-just-about-the-coolest-thing-since-peanut/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [What exactly did you find in Atlanta?” Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. “Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-exactly-did-you-find-in-atlanta-frank-unzipped-his-backpack-and/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [A little background: Annabeth used to adventure with Hermes's son Luke. Over time, Annabeth developed a crush on Luke. As Annabeth got older, Luke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/a-little-background-annabeth-used-to-adventure-with-hermes-s-son-luke/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Leo: Rainbows. Very macho. Annabeth: Butch is our best equestrian, he gets along great with the pegasi. Leo: Rainbows, ponies... Butch: I'm gonna toss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-rainbows-very-macho-annabeth-butch-is-our-best-equestrian-he-gets/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Ask me again, once we defeat Gaea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/ask-me-again-once-we-defeat-gaea/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Browse all 153 Annabeth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annabeth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Neither torch nor dagger,\" Annabeth said firmly. \"There is a third test, which I will pass.\" \"A third test?\" the pater demanded. \"Mithras was born from rock,\" Annabeth said, hoping she was right. \"He emerged fully grown from the stone, holding his dagger and torch.\" The screaming and wailing told her she had guessed correctly. \"The big mother knows all!\" a ghost cried. \"That is our most closely guarded secret!\" Then maybe you shouldn't put a statue of it on your altar, Annabeth thought.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rick Riordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-firmly-there-is-a-third-test/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Annabeth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-firmly-there-is-a-third-test/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/rick-riordan-27_annabeth_neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-f_1288215.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Neither torch nor dagger,\" Annabeth said firmly. \"There is a third test, which I will pass.\" \"A third test?\"…” — Rick Riordan", "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": "Rick Riordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Neither torch nor dagger,\" Annabeth said...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-firmly-there-is-a-third-test/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/neither-torch-nor-dagger-annabeth-said-firmly-there-is-a-third-test/#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 } } ] } ```