--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian…" description: "\"“Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them for so many eons. Humans- in my world, there were humans, too. And I watched them love, and h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg" --- # Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them… ![“Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them for so many eons. Humans- in my world, there were humans, too. And I watched them love, and hate- wage senseless war and find precious peace. Watched them build lives, build worlds. I was... I was never allowed such things. I had not been…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg) > ““Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them for so many eons. Humans- in my world, there were humans, too. And I watched them love, and hate- wage senseless war and find precious peace. Watched them build lives, build worlds. I was... I was never allowed such things. I had not been designed that way, had not been ordered to do so. So I watched. And that day I came here... it was the first selfish thing I had done. For a long, long while I thought it was punishment for disobeying my Father's orders, for wanting. I thought this world was some hell he'd locked me into for disobedience.' Amren swallowed. 'But I think...I wonder if my Father knew. If he saw how I watched them love and hate and build, and opened that rip in the world not as punishment... but as a gift.' Her eyes gleamed. 'For it has been a gift. This time- with you. With all of you. It has been a gift.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An immortal watches humanity’s love and conflict, feeling both alienated and drawn, ultimately seeing his own selfish act as a gift. **In simple terms:** Even beings beyond humanity can learn from our love and wars. Key Takeaway Find purpose in unexpected moments. Themes identity gift humanity war love Mood melancholic hopeful Type literary contemplative When to use this quote - self‑discovery - ethical dilemmas - creative writing - character development Key Concepts mythic psychology redemption Questions to Reflect On - What does “gift” mean for an immortal? - Can selfish acts be truly selfless? A Different Perspective The perspective may be limited by the narrator’s bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [A-court-of-wings-and-ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) [Amren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amren/) [Feyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre/) [Feyre-archeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre-archeron/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love and hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-hate/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Sarah-j-maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarah-j-maas/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) ## Related quotes > [“Amren,' Varian said, and sank onto his knees. 'I am begging you-' ... She looked to Varian, a wry smile on her red mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-varian-said-and-sank-onto-his-knees-i-am-begging-you-she-looked/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You were the only ones who came to help. The only ones. And yet you asked for nothing in return. Why?' Rhys's voice was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-were-the-only-ones-who-came-to-help-the-only-ones-and-yet-you/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“But a male voice pleaded from behind, 'Don't.' Varian appeared from the rocky path, gasping for breath, splattered with blood. Amren smirked. 'Like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/but-a-male-voice-pleaded-from-behind-don-t-varian-appeared-from-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“And- there's another surprise.' He pointed with a healed hand toward the Cauldron. 'Someone fish out dear Amren before she catches cold.' Varian whirled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-there-s-another-surprise-he-pointed-with-a-healed-hand-toward-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Varian rubbed the back of his head where his lump was growing significantly. “Not that I particularly want to defend Merrick, but those little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/varian-rubbed-the-back-of-his-head-where-his-lump-was-growing/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“Merewyn was a little more rational. “Perhaps we should whisper amongst ourselves and make them wonder what we speak of?” Blaise wagged his eyebrows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/merewyn-was-a-little-more-rational-perhaps-we-should-whisper-amongst/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“Varian cringed as Merewyn faced him. If he looked half as bad as he suspected, he wouldn’thave blamed her had she run for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/varian-cringed-as-merewyn-faced-him-if-he-looked-half-as-bad-as-he/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I see all of you, Rhys. And there is not one part that I do not love with everything I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-see-all-of-you-rhys-and-there-is-not-one-part-that-i-do-not-love/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I caught a bob of Rhys's throat as we cleared the final steps to the open doorway. ... And though his face was calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-caught-a-bob-of-rhys-s-throat-as-we-cleared-the-final-steps-to-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Amren,' Varian said, and sank onto his knees. 'I am begging you-' ... She looked to Varian, a wry smile on her red mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-varian-said-and-sank-onto-his-knees-i-am-begging-you-she-looked/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Helion threw himself onto the couch across from Cassian and Mor. He'd ditched that radiant crown somewhere, but kept that gold armband of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/helion-threw-himself-onto-the-couch-across-from-cassian-and-mor-he-d/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You and pretty Tarquin had a moment today. Do you truly think he'll join us?' 'If you mean in bed, definitely not,' Rhys said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-and-pretty-tarquin-had-a-moment-today-do-you-truly-think-he-ll/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Rhys turned his head, looking me over from head to toe. Then back to Tamlin. A storm about to be unleashed. But it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas-2/rhys-turned-his-head-looking-me-over-from-head-to-toe-then-back-to/) [Sarah J Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas-2/) > [“It will be- very dangerous.' A half smile curved Lucien's mouth. 'Good. It'd be boring otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-will-be-very-dangerous-a-half-smile-curved-lucien-s-mouth-good-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-hadn-t-stolen-my-bride-away-in-the-night-rhysand-i-would-not/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies.' Helion, across the reflection pool, grinned like a lion. 'No,' Tamlin said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-discussing-our-plans-with-enemies-helion/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You're still lovely," Mor said a bit gently. Elain offered a half smile. "I suppose that war makes wanting things like that unimportant." Mor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-re-still-lovely-mor-said-a-bit-gently-elain-offered-a-half-smile/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“No going back now,' Cassian said to Rhys, gesturing to his wings. Rhys slid his hands into his pockets. 'I figure it's time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/no-going-back-now-cassian-said-to-rhys-gesturing-to-his-wings-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?' I hissed. 'An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?' 'Why should I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-do-you-want-i-hissed-an-apology-for-me-to-crawl-back-into-your/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien. It was Lucien. Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he'd run from the shore. His gaze settled on Elain, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lucien-it-was-lucien-lucien-haggard-and-bloody-panting-for-breath-as/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The chamber was a cool, chill black- as if we'd stepped inside the mind of some sleeping beast. And within its round space gleamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-chamber-was-a-cool-chill-black-as-if-we-d-stepped-inside-the-mind/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Browse all 81 A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them for so many eons. Humans- in my world, there were humans, too. And I watched them love, and hate- wage senseless war and find precious peace. Watched them build lives, build worlds. I was... I was never allowed such things. I had not been designed that way, had not been ordered to do so. So I watched. And that day I came here... it was the first selfish thing I had done. For a long, long while I thought it was punishment for disobeying my Father's orders, for wanting. I thought this world was some hell he'd locked me into for disobedience.' Amren swallowed. 'But I think...I wonder if my Father knew. If he saw how I watched them love and hate and build, and opened that rip in the world not as punishment... but as a gift.' Her eyes gleamed. 'For it has been a gift. This time- with you. With all of you. It has been a gift.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. Maas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i-watched-them-for-so-many-eons/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "A-court-of-wings-and-ruin" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i-watched-them-for-so-many-eons/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i_696117.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Amren smiled slightly- at me, at Varian. 'I watched them for so many eons. Humans- in my world, there were…” — Sarah J. Maas", "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": "Sarah J. Maas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Amren smiled slightly- at me, at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i-watched-them-for-so-many-eons/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-smiled-slightly-at-me-at-varian-i-watched-them-for-so-many-eons/#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 } } ] } ```