“A person must earn enlightenment, Eragon. It is not handed down to you by others, regardless of how revered they be.”

“But ask yourself this Eragon: If gods exist, have they been good custodians of alagaesia? Death, sickness, poverty, tyranny and countless other miseries stalk the land. If this is the handiwork of divine beings, then they are to be rebelled against and overthrown, not given obeisance, obedience, and reverance.”

“You are an enigma, Eragon, a quandary that no one knows how to solve.”

“Love can be a terrible curse, Eragon. It can make you overlook even the largest flaws in a person's behavior.”

“How terrible," said Eragon, "to die alone, separate even from the one who is closest to you."Everyone dies alone, Eragon. Whether you are a king on a battlefield or a lowly peasant lying in bed among your family, no one can accompany you into the void.”

“Have I ever told you how glad I am we're not enemies? Eragon asked.No, but it's very sweet of you.”

“Eragon looked back at him, confused. "I don't understand.""Of course you don't," said Brom impatiently. "That's why I'm teaching you and not the other way around.”