40 Best Jace Lightwood Quotes

September 8, 2025
12 min read
2211 words
40 Best Jace Lightwood Quotes

Jace Lightwood, a fan-favorite character from *The Mortal Instruments* series, is known for his sharp wit, fierce loyalty, and memorable lines that resonate with readers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the Shadowhunter world, these carefully selected quotes capture the essence of Jace’s complex personality and his journey. Dive into this collection to experience the best moments that showcase his strength, humor, and heart.

1. “The alley and the music all fell away, and there was nothing but her and the rain and Jace, his hands on her. . . He made a noise of surprise, low in his throat, and dug his fingers into the thin fabric of her tights. Not unexpectedly, they ripped, and his wet fingers were suddenly on the bare skin of her legs. Not to be outdone, Clary slid her hands under the hem of his soaked shirt, and let her fingers explore what was underneath: the tight, hot skin over his ribs, the ridges of his abdomen, the scars on his back. This was uncharted territory for her, but it seemed to be driving him crazy: he was moaning softly against her mouth, kissing her harder and harder, as if it would never be enough, not quite enough —” - Cassandra Clare

2. “I never cared,” he said. “I wanted you anyway. I always wanted you.” - Cassandra Clare

3. “I suppose you've always been amazing at this stuff."- Clary"I was born amazing." - Jace” - Cassandra Clare

4. “You're just worried they'll hire a male instructor and he'll be hotter than you." Jace's eyebrows went up. "Hotter than me?" "It could happen," Clary said, "You know, theoretically.""Theoretically the planet could suddenly crack in half, leaving me on one side and you on the other, forever and tragically parted, but I'm not worried about that either. Some things," Jace said, with his customary crooked smile, "are just too unlikely to dwell upon.” - Cassandra Clare

5. “Jace perched on the windowsill and looked down at him. "You really don't get this bodyguard thing, do you?""I didn't even think you liked me all that much," said Simon. "Is this one of those keep-your-friends-close-and-your-enemies-closer things?""I thought it was keep your friends close so you have someone to drive the car when you sneak over to your enemy's house a night and throw up in his mailbox.""I'm pretty sure that's not it” - Cassandra Clare

6. “It’s fascinating. You know all these words, and they’re all English, but when you string them together into sentences, they just don’t make any sense.” - Cassandra Clare

7. “What's this?""That's a mango." Simon stared at Jace. Sometimes it really is like Shadowhunters were from an alien planet. "I don't think I've seen one of those that wasn't already cut up," Jace mused. "I like mangoes."Simon grabbed the mango and tossed it into the cart. "Great. What else do you like?"Jace pondered for a moment. "Tomato soup," he said finally."Tomato soup? You want tomato soup and a mango for dinner?"Jace shrugged. "I don't really care about food.” - Cassandra Clare

8. “You know, some people think Shadowhunters are just myths. Like mummies and genies." Kyle grinned at Jace. "Can you grant wishes?""That depends," he said. "Do you wish to be punched in the face?” - Cassandra Clare

9. “I think she just asked if she could touch my mango.” - Cassandra Clare

10. “You and your name-dropping. 'I knew Michael'. 'I knew Sammael'. 'The angel Gabriel did my hair'. It's like I'm with the Band with biblical figures.” - Cassandra Clare

11. “We can buy you one of those books they have for little kids 'Timmy Has Two Dads'. Except I don't think they have one called 'Timmy Has Two Dads and One of Them Was Evil'. That part you're just going to have to work through on your own.” - Cassandra Clare

12. “I'm always so glad I have no idea what you're vacantly chatting about," said Jace. It fills me with a sense of peace and well-being.” - Cassandra Clare

13. “They think they're better than everyone else.""No," said Jace. "I think I'm better than everyone else. An opinion that has been backed up with ample evidence." Kyle looked at Simon. "Does he always talk like this?" "Yes.” - Cassandra Clare

14. “Well, I guess I'll see you around. You're the first Shadowhunter I've ever met." "That's too bad,"said Jace, "since all the ones you meet from now on will be a terrible letdown.” - Cassandra Clare

15. “Hey," said Jace. who was sitting on an overturned speaker, looking at his cellphone, "do you want to see a photo of Alec and Magnus in Berlin?""Not really," said Simon. "Magnus is wearing lederhosen.""And yet, still no.” - Cassandra Clare

16. “You look lousy,' he said. Jace blinked. 'Seems an odd time to start an insult contest, but if you insist, I could probably think up something good.''No I mean it. You don't look good.''This is from a guy ho has all the sex appeal of a penguin. Look, I realize you may be jealous that the good Lord didn't deal you the same chiseled hand he dealt me, but that's no reason to-' 'I am not trying to insult you.' Simon snapped.” - Cassandra Clare

17. “Medium clever,” Simon acknowledged. “Like a cross between George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven and those MythBusters guys, but, you know, better-looking.”“I’m always so glad I have no idea what you’re vacantly chattering about,” said Jace. “It fills me with a sense of peace and well-being.” - Cassandra Clare

18. “Simon stepped between them. “I’m not going to let you fight with each other.”“And what are you going to do about it if . . . Oh.” Jace's gaze trailed up to Simon’s forehead, and he grinned reluctantly. “ So basically you’re threatening to turn me into something you can sprinkle on popcorn if I don’t do what you say?” - Cassandra Clare

19. “Isabelle and Jace had left the topic of dead Shadowhunters behind and had moved on to something Jace apparently found even more horrifying__Isabelle's date with Simon."I can't believe he took you to an actual restaurant." Jace was on his feet now, putting away the floor mats and training gear while Isabelle leaned against the wall and played with her new gloves. "I assumed his idea of a date would be making you watch him play World of Warcraft with his nerd friends.""I," Clary pointed out, "am one of his nerd friends, thank you.” - Cassandra Clare

20. “You're a public menace. You shouldn't be allowed out on your own.” - Cassandra Clare

21. “If we're going to the Silent City, you might want to get dressed. I mean, I appreciate the bra-and-panties look, but I don't know if the Silent Brothers will. There are only a few of the left, and I don't want them to die of excitement.” - Cassandra Clare

22. “Why are you always trying to get yourself killed?""It's my job.""It's a hazard of your job. At least for most Shadowhunters. For you it seems to be the purpose.” - Cassandra Clare

23. “L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle."It means that love is the most powerful force in the world. That love can do anything.” - Cassandra Clare

24. “I can see why you like it here," he said,making a sweeping gesture that encompassed Kyle's collection of movie posters and science fiction books. "There's a thin layer of nerd all over everything." said Jace."Thanks. I appreciate that." Simon gave Jace a hard look.” - Cassandra Clare

25. “We are one now, little brother, you and I," Sebastian said. "We are one.” - Cassandra Clare

26. “I need Jace,” said Sebastian. “But in his heart, he’s not like me. But you are.” - Cassandra Clare

27. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the worst thing that’s happened since I found out why Magnus was banned from Peru.” - Cassandra Clare

28. “Kill me, little sister. Kill me and you kill Jace, too.” - Cassandra Clare

29. “Alec isn’t happy,” said Magnus, as if she hadn’t spoken.“Of course he isn’t,” Isabelle snapped. “Jace—”“Jace,” said Magnus, and his hands made fists at his sides. Isabelle stared at him. She had always thought that he didn’t mind Jace; liked him, even, once the question of Alec’s affections had been settled. Out loud, she said:“I thought you were friends.”“It’s not that,” said Magnus. “There are some people — people the universe seems to have singled out for special destinies. Special favors and special torments. God knows we’re all drawn toward what’s beautiful and broken; I have been, but some people cannot be fixed. Or if they can be, it’s only by love and sacrifice so great it destroys the giver.”Isabelle shook her head slowly. “You’ve lost me. Jace is our brother, but for Alec — he’s Jace’s parabatai too —”“I know about parabatai,” said Magnus, his voice rising in pitch. “I’ve known parabatai so close they were almost the same person; do you know what happens, when one of them dies, to the one that’s left—”“Stop it!” Isabelle clapped her hands over her ears, then lowered them slowly. “How dare you, Magnus Bane,” she said.“How dare you make this worse than it is —”“Isabelle.” Magnus’ hands loosened; he looked a little wide-eyed, as if his outburst had startled even him. “I am sorry. I forget, sometimes . . . that with all your self-control and strength, you possess the same vulnerability that Alec does.”“There is nothing weak about Alec,” said Isabelle.“No,” said Magnus. “To love as you choose, that takes strength. The thing is, I wanted you here for him. There are things I can’t do for him, can’t give him . . .” For a moment Magnus looked oddly vulnerable. “You have known Jace as long as he has. You can give him understanding I can’t. And he loves you.”“Of course he loves me. I’m his sister.”“Blood isn’t love,” said Magnus, and his voice was bitter. “Just ask Clary.” - Cassandra Clare

30. “Clary," he said. "You saved my life.""I stabbed you. With a massive sword. You caught on fire."His lips twitched imperceptibly. "Okay," he said. "So maybe our problems aren't like other couples.” - Cassandra Clare

31. “Unhappy? I was lucky. So, so lucky. And I couldn’t see it.” His eyes met hers. “I love you,” he said. “And you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And now that I know what it’s like to be someone else—to lose myself—I want my life back. My family. You. All of it.” His eyes darkened. “I want it back.” - Cassandra Clare

32. “Take off your shirt."Jace raised his eyebrows. "I'm not going to attack you," she said impatiently. "I can take the sight of your naked chest without swooning.""Are you sure?" he asked, obediently sliding the shirt off his shoulders. "Because viewing my naked chest has caused many women to seriously injure themselves stampeding to get to me.” - Cassandra Clare

33. “Do you remember what I told you that first time at Taki's? About faerie food?""I remember you said you ran down Madison Avenue naked with antlers on your head", said Clary, blinking silver drops off her lashes.” - Cassandra Clare

34. “And spare me the jokes about scoring.""Dammit, woman, you read my mind," he said. "Is there no filthy wordplay you can't forsee?""It's my special magical power. I can read your mind when you're thinking dirty thoughts.""So, ninety-five percent of the time.” - Cassandra Clare

35. “One minute you're munching on a faerie plum the next minute you're running naked down Madison Avenue with antlers on your head. Not,' he added hastily, 'that this has ever happened to me.” - Cassandra Clare

36. “She realized that this scarred, sarcastic boy, was gentle with the things he loved.” - Cassandra Clare

37. “Perhaps there isn’t anything Alec is afraid of.”Magnus glanced at Alec and raised his eyebrows. “Boo,” he said.Jace was grinning. “Come on, surely you’ve got a phobia or two. What scares you?”Alec thought for a moment. “Spiders,” he said.Clary turned to Luke. “Have you got a spider anywhere?”Luke looked exasperated. “Why would I have a spider? Do I look like someone who would collect them?”“No offense,” Jace said, “But you kind of do.”“You know”---Alec’s tone was sour---”Maybe this was a stupid experiment.”“What about the dark?” Clary suggested. “We could lock you in the basement.”“I’m a demon hunter,” Alec said, with exaggerated patience. “Clearly, I am not afraid of the dark.” - Cassandra Clare

38. “There are ways in which we’re so alike. We’re reckless. We don’t think before we act. We’ll do anything for people we love. And I never thought how scary that was for the people who loved me until I saw” - Cassandra Clare

39. “Jace is in love with the idea of dying,” said Isabelle.” - Cassandra Clare

40. “I don’t want to be Nephilim,” said Jace. “I want to be something else. Stronger, faster, better than human. But different. Not subservient to the Laws of an angel who couldn’t care less about us. Free.” He ran his hand through a curl of her hair. “I’m happy now, Clary. Doesn’t that make a difference?” - Cassandra Clare