--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had long wondered,\" Lan said to Tam…" description: "\"I had long wondered,\" Lan said to Tam. \"About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered if he had truly earned it. Now I know.\" La..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg" --- # I had long wondered," Lan said to Tam. "About the man who… ![“I had long wondered," Lan said to Tam. "About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered if he had truly earned it. Now I know." Lan raised his own sword in salute.” quote by Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg) > “I had long wondered," Lan said to Tam. "About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered if he had truly earned it. Now I know." Lan raised his own sword in salute.” [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lan reflects on a mysterious sword’s origin, questioning its worthiness before confirming its legitimacy through a salute. **In simple terms:** Questioned sword’s worth, then affirmed. Key Takeaway Seek truth before accepting gifts. Themes mystery honor validation journey Mood curious respectful Type narrative reflective When to use this quote - fantasy quests - team rituals - storytelling Key Concepts sword symbolism trust recognition Questions to Reflect On - What makes an object worthy? - How do you verify honor? A Different Perspective May rely on unknown backstory. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Herons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herons/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [“We’ll make a home,” Lan said. “The Shadow defeated, Nynaeve and I will reclaim Malkier. We’ll make the fields bloom again, cleanse the lakes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/we-ll-make-a-home-lan-said-the-shadow-defeated-nynaeve-and-i-will/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Whether the issue was black political power or nuclear power, Scott-Heron didn't mince words. His comeback record, 'I'm New Here,' doesn't mince words either,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hermes/whether-the-issue-was-black-political-power-or-nuclear-power-scott/) [Will Hermes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hermes/) > [“Mount Fuji was mostly invisible n the summer, but on clear days she could see its grand and graceful silhouette dominating the northern sky.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-backer/mount-fuji-was-mostly-invisible-n-the-summer-but-on-clear-days-she/) Sara Backer > [Maybe the Snowy Heron is going to come off pretty badly when the planes come together. Maybe. But he's still proud and beautiful. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-d-schmidt/maybe-the-snowy-heron-is-going-to-come-off-pretty-badly-when-the/) [Gary D. Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-d-schmidt/) > [I can put my whole fist in my mouth! Wanna see?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-smith/i-can-put-my-whole-fist-in-my-mouth-wanna-see/) Karen Smith > [The fox when it sees a flock of herons or magpies or birds of that kind, suddenly flings himself on the ground with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-fox-when-it-sees-a-flock-of-herons-or-magpies-or-birds-of-that/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/for-a-time-i-rest-in-the-grace-of-the-world-and-am-free/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [A stilted heron labored up into the air and pounded down the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/a-stilted-heron-labored-up-into-the-air-and-pounded-down-the-river/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [In White Summer, Joelle Biele exhibits a Roethke-like affinity with nature and natures creatures. At times a miniaturist, Biele constructs exquisite addresses to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-spires/in-white-summer-joelle-biele-exhibits-a-roethke-like-affinity-with/) Elizabeth Spires > [The Bishop has a skin, God knows, Wrinkled like the foot of a goose, (All find safety in the tomb.) Nor can he hide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/the-bishop-has-a-skin-god-knows-wrinkled-like-the-foot-of-a-goose-all/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [“The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-peace-of-wild-things-when-despair-for-the-world-grows-in-me-and-i/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [ She \[Justice Sandra Day O'Connor\], unlike, Judge Bork, did not think that being on the court would be an "intellectual feast," to quote Judge… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/she-justice-sandra-day-o-connor-unlike-judge-bork-did-not-think-that/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [Mr Blawke always reminded me of a heron; I'm not sure why. Something to do with a sense of rapacious stillness, perhaps, and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/mr-blawke-always-reminded-me-of-a-heron-i-m-not-sure-why-something-to/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [“Certain bird species—herons, terns and ibises, for example—mesmerized Roosevelt. As president he insisted that killing one of these Florida exotics was a federal crime.”5”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-p-marra/certain-bird-species-herons-terns-and-ibises-for-example-mesmerized/) [Peter P. Marra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-p-marra/) > [May your love be firm, and may your dream of life together be a river between two shores - by day bathed in sunlight,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bertolino/may-your-love-be-firm-and-may-your-dream-of-life-together-be-a-river/) James Bertolino ## More by Robert Jordan > [“It was an odd thing Tam had taught him. Concentrate on a single flame and feed all your passions into it—fear, hate, anger—until your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/it-was-an-odd-thing-tam-had-taught-him-concentrate-on-a-single-flame/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Relax, lad. Take life as it comes. Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/relax-lad-take-life-as-it-comes-run-when-you-have-to-fight-when-you/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“As she spoke, the dice started tumbling inside his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/as-she-spoke-the-dice-started-tumbling-inside-his-head/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-was-a-wild-light-in-his-eyes-bring-your-lightnings-aes-sedai-i/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [My mother always told me the best way to learn to deal with a man was to learn to ride a mule. She said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/my-mother-always-told-me-the-best-way-to-learn-to-deal-with-a-man-was/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, Perrin. We’ve become what we needed to become.” Perrin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/the-wheel-weaves-as-the-wheel-wills-perrin-we-ve-become-what-we/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“All of you, fare well, and may you shelter in the palm of the Creator’s hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/all-of-you-fare-well-and-may-you-shelter-in-the-palm-of-the-creator-s/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [If it's not forbidden, then it's allowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/if-it-s-not-forbidden-then-it-s-allowed/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Stay and get married, or travel the Ways." Loial grimaced ruefully. "Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/stay-and-get-married-or-travel-the-ways-loial-grimaced-ruefully-life/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Who would sup with the mighty must climb the path of daggers. -Anonymous notation found inked in the margin of a manuscript history (believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/who-would-sup-with-the-mighty-must-climb-the-path-of-daggers/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Men always seem to refuse to admit they are sick until they're sick enough to make twice as much work for women. Then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/men-always-seem-to-refuse-to-admit-they-are-sick-until-they-re-sick/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Beauty holds more worth than gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/beauty-holds-more-worth-than-gold/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [When the honey's out of the comb, there's no putting it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/when-the-honey-s-out-of-the-comb-there-s-no-putting-it-back/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/death-comes-to-us-all-we-can-only-choose-how-to-face-it-when-it-comes/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Burn me," Mat said, throwing on the shirt he dug out of the bundle. "I'll give you a hundred Tar Valon marks if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/burn-me-mat-said-throwing-on-the-shirt-he-dug-out-of-the-bundle-i-ll/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) [Explore all 553 Robert Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) ## More Blades quotes > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The Kabbalah describes angels as bundles of light, meaning intelligence, consciousness. Kabbalists believe that above every blade of grass is an angel crying "Grow!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-kabbalah-describes-angels-as-bundles-of-light-meaning/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Our past is the forge upon which we are hardened and tempered, to prepare us for the present. We are like a fine blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-atchley-jr/our-past-is-the-forge-upon-which-we-are-hardened-and-tempered-to/) Larry Atchley Jr > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I felt freed to please myself, to find my way as I would, in a world that was much vaster than I had realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-lanagan/i-felt-freed-to-please-myself-to-find-my-way-as-i-would-in-a-world/) [Margo Lanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-lanagan/) > [I would like to see a fierce Fantasia mixed with Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars all in one. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-would-like-to-see-a-fierce-fantasia-mixed-with-blade-runner-lord-of/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If you look at 'Blade Runner,' it's been cut sixteen ways from Sunday, and there are all kinds of different versions of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-look-at-blade-runner-it-s-been-cut-sixteen-ways-from-sunday/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Here's an example: someone says, "Master, please hand me the knife," and he hands them the knife, blade first. "Please give me the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/here-s-an-example-someone-says-master-please-hand-me-the-knife-and-he/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [It's ninety-six degrees in the shade... Before I catch blood on my blade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-murray/it-s-ninety-six-degrees-in-the-shade-before-i-catch-blood-on-my-blade/) [Keith Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-murray/) > ["Lay the knife at the tips of your fingers," Rob commanded. "So close youcan feel the blade against your skins. Then cut the shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/lay-the-knife-at-the-tips-of-your-fingers-rob-commanded-so-close/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) Browse all 490 Blades quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had long wondered,\" Lan said to Tam. \"About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered if he had truly earned it. Now I know.\" Lan raised his own sword in salute.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Jordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-about-the-man-who-had-given-rand/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blades" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-about-the-man-who-had-given-rand/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/robert-jordan-438_blades_i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-abou_131263.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had long wondered,\" Lan said to Tam. \"About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered…” — Robert Jordan", "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": "Robert Jordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I had long wondered,\" Lan said...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-about-the-man-who-had-given-rand/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/i-had-long-wondered-lan-said-to-tam-about-the-man-who-had-given-rand/#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 } } ] } ```