David Eddings Quotes

Powerful David Eddings for Daily Growth

About David Eddings

David Eddings, born on July 7, 1931, in Spokane, Washington, was an American fantasy author renowned for his epic high-fantasy series 'The Belgariad' and 'The Malloreon.' Born as Edward Charles Eddings Jr., he is best known by his pen name David Eddings. Influenced by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Eddings developed a love for storytelling at an early age. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, where he honed his writing skills by penning humorous articles for military publications. After his discharge from the Air Force, Eddings graduated from Reed College with a degree in literature. He went on to work as a high school teacher before finally becoming a full-time writer. In 1977, he published 'Pawn of Prophecy,' the first book in the Belgariad series, co-written with his wife Leigh Eddings. This tale of a young farm boy and his quest to stop an evil god follows themes of destiny, love, and friendship, drawing inspiration from the couple's own relationship. The success of 'Pawn of Prophecy' led to the continuation of the series in 'Queen of Sorcery,' 'Magician's Gambit,' 'Castle of Wizardry,' 'Enchanter's End Game,' and 'Polgara the Sorceress.' The Malloreon, a sequel series, followed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. David Eddings passed away on June 2, 2005, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the realm of fantasy literature. His work continues to captivate readers with its intricate plots, memorable characters, and rich world-building.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is a land, Airam, where the men live for two hundred years and the women for three hundred years."

This quote implies that in the fictional land of Airam, men have a shorter lifespan compared to women, with an average life expectancy of 200 years. Women, on the other hand, live longer, with an average life expectancy of 300 years. It suggests a gender disparity or imbalance in longevity within this fictional society, with women having a significantly longer lifespan than men. This could potentially lead to social, cultural, or demographic implications within the story's context.


"In dreams, we enter a world that's truly our own, more potent and real than the earth, for in dreams, we are as gods."

This quote by David Eddings suggests that dreaming allows us to tap into an imaginative, limitless realm where we possess extraordinary power and creativity. Dreams, unlike the physical world, are not bound by the constraints of reality. In our dreams, we can transcend the ordinary, manifest our deepest desires, and even wield god-like control over our surroundings, thus making them more potent and real than our everyday experiences. Essentially, when we dream, we access a personal universe where we have unparalleled potential and freedom.


"If you can read this, then the dragon has already won."

This quote suggests that if one is able to read the text, it implies that a battle or conflict has been lost, as the existence of written language (in this case, the words on the page) would not be necessary if there were no need for communication or record-keeping, which would suggest a world where all information can be conveyed directly, without needing to write it down. In such a scenario, the implication is that a dragon (or a powerful force) has already achieved dominance over the world, as their control is so complete that they no longer need written communication. It's a clever way of using a literary device to evoke a sense of power and overwhelming presence of a dominant force in the narrative.


"It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it does not matter who gets the credit."

This quote by David Eddings emphasizes the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and selflessness over individual recognition or glory. It suggests that when one is focused on achieving a common goal, rather than personal gain or fame, extraordinary results can be attained. By putting the collective success above personal accolades, individuals can foster a productive and harmonious work environment where innovation, progress, and growth are prioritized over ego or credit. In such circumstances, everyone benefits from shared success, and true satisfaction is derived from the accomplishment itself rather than recognition for it.


"A man learns by reading, and a woman learns by reading other women." (Attributed to Skeeve in the Belgariad series)

This quote suggests that men primarily gain knowledge through learning from various sources, while women often gain insights and understanding by reading about the experiences of other women. It implies a difference in the way societal roles or perspectives might influence the learning process between genders, with women finding resonance and wisdom in stories that reflect their own experiences. It's important to note that this is a generalization, as individuals are unique and may not adhere strictly to these patterns. This quote encourages reading as a means of empowerment for women, particularly when the texts they read showcase relatable narratives.


Reed College required a thesis for a Bachelor's degree. Normally a Bachelor's is sort of like being stamped 'Prime US Beef.' They just walk you through, hand out the diplomas and you fill in your name later on.

- David Eddings

College, Through, Stamped, Reed

When they ran out of cadre men they gave me my very own platoon and said, 'Here are 63 men, try to keep as many of them alive as you possibly can.' That was one of the more harrowing experiences of my life.

- David Eddings

My Life, Here, Very, Harrowing

I'm never going to be in danger of getting the Nobel Prize for literature.

- David Eddings

Never, Literature, Getting, Nobel Prize

I hesitate to predict whether this theory is true. But if the general opinion of Mankind is optimistic then we're in for a period of extreme popularity for science fiction.

- David Eddings

Mankind, Fiction, Period, Science Fiction

I get up at an unholy hour in the morning my work day is completed by the time the sun rises. I have a slightly bad back which has made an enormous contribution to American literature.

- David Eddings

Bad, By The Time, Slightly, Completed

I wrote a novel for my degree, and I'm very happy I didn't submit that to a publisher. I sympathize with my professors who had to read it.

- David Eddings

Graduation, Very, Sympathize, Publisher

Call it my little gesture toward social conscience, but I like to think I'm teaching a certain number of people to read. Now that sounds pretentious!

- David Eddings

Think, Social, Read, Pretentious

I taught in a small teacher's college for three or four years, at which point all the administrators got a pay raise and the teaching faculty didn't.

- David Eddings

College, Small, Which, Pay Raise

I've fallen back on this periodically, although I must say that getting out of the grocery business ranked right up there with getting out of the army as one of the happier experiences of my life.

- David Eddings

Business, My Life, Back, Ranked

If the general opinion is pessimistic, fantasy is going to hold its own.

- David Eddings

Fantasy, Going, General, Pessimistic

This is terrible, when a writer is bored by his own work, but it was a real bomb and had reached the point where I couldn't even stand to look at it any more.

- David Eddings

Work, Own, More, Bored

All social workers want is to get everyone involved in a programme. Because a programme provides full employment for three generations of social workers. And they mess up.

- David Eddings

Want, Everyone, Social, Employment

I have an unconscious burglar living in my mind: If I read something, it's mine.

- David Eddings

Mind, Unconscious, Mine, Burglar

I have an unconscious burglar living in my mind: If I read something, it's mine. I can read Middle English stories, Geoffrey Chaucer or Sir Thomas Malory, but once I start moving in the direction of contemporary fantasy, my mind begins to take over.

- David Eddings

I Can, Begins, Geoffrey, Burglar

I can read Middle English stories, Geoffrey Chaucer or Sir Thomas Malory, but once I start moving in the direction of contemporary fantasy, my mind begins to take over.

- David Eddings

Mind, Over, Read, Geoffrey

I'm a storyteller, not a prophet. I'm just interested in a good story.

- David Eddings

Good Story, Prophet, Storyteller

The unfortunate thing about working for yourself is that you have the worst boss in the world. I work every day of the year except at Christmas, when I work a half day.

- David Eddings

Boss, Year, Half, Unfortunate

I have a slightly bad back, which has made an enormous contribution to American literature.

- David Eddings

Literature, Which, Slightly, American Literature

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