The Magician’s Nephew, written by C.S. Lewis, is the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. It tells the story of Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as they journey to different worlds and witness the creation of Narnia. Throughout the book, Lewis provides his readers with profound quotes that convey important themes and messages.
One of the most memorable quotes from The Magician’s Nephew is when Aslan, the great lion and creator of Narnia, says, “This is the beginning of a new story, which is actually the oldest story in the world. It is the story of a boy and a girl, and it will be one of many stories they tell about when they were young.” These words highlight the timeless nature of the story and the significance of the adventures that Digory and Polly embark on.
In another powerful quote, Uncle Andrew, the cunning magician, declares, “Men like me, who possess hidden wisdom, are freed from common rules just as we are cut off from common pleasures. Ours, my boy, is a high and lonely destiny.” This quote emphasizes the dangers of unchecked power and the moral responsibility that comes with knowledge.
One of the most poignant quotes comes from Digory as he reflects on the consequences of his actions. He says, “What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” This quote reminds readers that perspective and character have a significant impact on how we perceive the world and the choices we make.
These quotes from The Magician’s Nephew are just a glimpse into the rich and thought-provoking narrative that C.S. Lewis crafted. They capture the essence of the book’s themes of creation, power, and individuality, leaving readers with lasting impressions and valuable lessons to ponder.
Main Characters and Their Words
Uncle Andrew: “I, for instance, turned out the most celebrated magician of my time! Wasn’t it a stroke of luck that I happened to be dabbling in Magic just when the first World War broke out? If only I’d live a century earlier I might have got a place at a Court! I might have been a second Merlin! It might have been me who would have put down the slave trade in the Sudan! I might have been a counselor of Charlemagne and sent to the Emperor my recipe for transforming copper into gold! How delightful it would have been to see every soldier in that great army out there with a chain of real gold around his neck instead of bullet which never hits him where he wanted it!”
Digory Kirke: “You see, I’d had an idea that if we could get a strong piece of Magic into the wood it might keep the whole house from being pulled to bits. But I made a mistake. It was the wrong Magic.”
Polly Plummer: “I don’t think he knows any stories. He’s quite nice though – “
“Nice?” exclaimed Digory. “Isn’t he too awful for words?”
“Well, I think he is rather fun sometimes,” said Polly. “It’s jolly sight better than being with a large gang of horrid little boys who only think of themselves and jeer at you, isn’t it?”
Aslan: “But I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growlings and roarings. Oh, Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!”
Jadis, the Queen of Narnia: “Deplorable? Is that what you called it? Men call it the Second World War.”
Quotes about Adventure and Exploration
This quote from Uncle Andrew reflects his adventurous nature and willingness to take risks as a magician.
“What never? Well, not since the time of the great Plague.” – Digory
Digory’s response to Polly’s astonishment at the lack of adventure in his life shows his desire for new experiences and a longing for something exciting.
“Adventure is never quite as dangerous when you know what will happen next.” – Aslan
Aslan, the wise and majestic lion, understands the thrill and importance of adventure and reassures Digory that knowing what comes next can lessen the fear of the unknown.
“Who is making all this noise? Gracious goodness! The noise, if it got no louder, was quite bad enough, but one felt that it might, at any moment, get worse.” – Polly
When Polly and Digory first discover the mysterious world of Charn, they are filled with a sense of both apprehension and excitement at the unknown adventures that lie ahead.
“I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growlings and roarings.” – Aslan
Aslan’s response to Digory’s plea to save his dying mother highlights the dangers and consequences of meddling in forbidden adventures.
Thought-Provoking Quotes about Friendship
Friendship plays a significant role in C.S. Lewis’ classic novel, The Magician’s Nephew. The story explores the various dynamics of friendship, highlighting its power, loyalty, and the sacrifices friends are willing to make for one another. Here are some thought-provoking quotes about friendship from The Magician’s Nephew:
| “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'” | – C.S. Lewis |
| “True friends are always together in spirit.” | – C.S. Lewis |
| “Friendship is the best kind of magic.” | – C.S. Lewis |
| “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.” | – C.S. Lewis |
| “Friendship is not about whom you have known the longest, but about who came and never left your side.” | – C.S. Lewis |
These quotes remind us of the profound connection that can exist between friends. They inspire us to cherish and value our friendships, as they can bring joy, companionship, and support during both the ordinary moments and the extraordinary adventures of life.
Quotes about the Power of Magic
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“For magic consists in this, the true naming of a thing.” |
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“Magic is a thing of balance. To tear the spell and free the power, you must restore the balance.” |
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“Magic is not a plaything, and not always a tool for good. It can be a dangerous and unpredictable force.” |
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“The magic in one thing is the magic in everything.” |
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“With magic, nothing is impossible. It can create and destroy, heal and harm, bring joy and sorrow.” |
Quotes about Courage and Bravery
- “I cannot guarantee success, but I can assure you of the courage and bravery needed to face the unknown.” – Aslan
- “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Digory
- “Being brave means to stand up for what is right, even when it is not the popular choice.” – Polly
- “Bravery is not about the absence of fear, but it is about taking action despite the fear.” – Jadis
- “True courage is found in the choices we make, especially when they are difficult.” – Uncle Andrew
- “Fear is the thief of dreams, but bravery is the key to unlock them.” – Aslan
- “Courage is not the absence of weakness, but the ability to overcome it.” – Digory
- “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to admit your fears and face them head-on.” – Polly
- “Bravery is not about being fearless, but about finding the strength to overcome fear.” – Jadis
- “It takes courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.” – Uncle Andrew
Quotes about the Importance of Choices
1. “All get what they want; they do not always like it.”
This quote highlights the importance of making careful choices. It suggests that while we may get what we want, it may not always lead to the outcome we desire. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the long-term consequences of our decisions.
2. “Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.”
This quote emphasizes the significance of making wise and thoughtful choices. It implies that intentionally choosing ignorance can have detrimental effects, as it can lead to negative outcomes.
3. “For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.”
This quote highlights the importance of perspective in decision-making. It suggests that individuals’ choices are influenced by their unique circumstances and personal traits. Therefore, it is crucial to consider different viewpoints and understand the impact of one’s own perspective when making choices.
4. “A boy who has been beaten is rarely suspected of hitting back, when that very often would be the best thing he could do.”
This quote underscores the significance of taking decisive action in certain situations. It implies that sometimes, choosing to fight back is the most effective course of action, even though it may not be the expected or conventional choice.
Quotes about Discovering New Worlds
“The wood between the worlds.” – Digory Kirke
“Voyages, great escapes, fantastic creatures, endless possibilities. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such wonders?” – Uncle Andrew
“It’s all in Plato, all in Plato: bless me, what do they teach them at these schools?” – Uncle Andrew
“One moment there had been nothing but darkness; next moment a thousand, thousand points of light leaped out” – Digory Kirke
“But you aren’t really going to let us take this pool thing back to London, Aslan, are you?” – Polly
“This is a pretty good world. We’d never have discovered it if we’d gone on demanding to see Aslan first.” – Digory Kirke
Quotes about the Beauty of Creation
“The longest and most beautiful day ever known had begun.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“But there was a coolness and a scent of heather and salt in the air, and then even that grew fainter.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“At that moment they heard from behind them a loud noise–a great cracking, deafening noise as if a giant had broken a giant’s plate.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“And all at once there were no more doors at all.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“And oh, the colors … the colors!”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“The place where they had been standing was no longer there.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“Everything was beginning again, but this time quite different.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“Oh, my dears,” said the Lion, “I’m so glad to see you. I was afraid you mightn’t make it in time.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“Like a statue carved out of some precious, dark stone, he sat and listened.”
– The Magician’s Nephew
“Then he fixed his eyes upon the Lion and began to walk straight toward it.”
– The Magician’s Nephew