Terry Pratchett Quotes
Sir Terry Pratchett, the author of the amazing and widely popular “Discworld” series, has created a fantasy world that mirrors many of the qualities of our reality. Pratchett’s wit and wisdom shine through all of his work, and he can be quoted almost in any situation in life. If you are not familiar with the Discworld series, or you are just looking to brighten your day, feel free to check the quotes below.
Most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.
from Good Omens
Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying ‘End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH,’ the paint wouldn’t even have time to dry.
from Thief of Time
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
from Hogfather
I have no use for people who have learned the limits of the possible.
from The Last Hero
The universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew… there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore. . . the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.
from Thief of Time
You take a bunch of people who don’t seem any different from you and me, but when you add them all together you get this sort of huge raving maniac with national borders and an anthem.
from Monstrous Regiment
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they’ve found it.
from Monstrous Regiment
Personal’s not the same as important. People just think it is.
from Lords and Ladies
from Jingo
When you seek advice from someone it’s certainly not because you want them to give it. You just want them to be there while you talk to yourself.
Goodness is about what you do. Not what you pray to.
from Snuff
There’s times when you look at the universe and you think, ‘What about me?’ and you can just hear the universe replying, ‘Well, what about you?’
from Thief of Time
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.
from A Hat Full of Sky
PEOPLE’S WHOLE LIVES DO PASS IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES BEFORE THEY DIE. THE PROCESS IS CALLED ‘LIVING’.
from The Last Continent
Sometimes it is better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.
from Men at Arms
The worst thing you can do is nothing.
from Snuff
The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insit on coming along and trying to put things in it.
from Diggers
It is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you’re attempting can’t be done.
from Equal Rites
It’s still magic even if you know how it’s done.
from The Wee Free Men
People don’t alter history any more than birds alter the sky, they just make brief patterns in it.
from Mort
If you trust in yourself. . .and believe in your dreams. . .and follow your star. . . you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy.
from The Wee Free Men