The Golden Compass, written by British author Philip Pullman, is a fantasy novel that captivated readers around the world with its rich storytelling and thought-provoking themes. The book, first published in 1995, is the first installment in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. It follows the adventures of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl living in a parallel universe, as she embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a sinister plot. Along the way, the story is sprinkled with profound and memorable quotes that resonate with readers long after they finish the book.
Read these The Golden Compass quotes
1. “Without stories, we wouldn’t be human beings at all.” – Philip Pullman
2. “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” – Philip Pullman
3. “The witches have always known that human beings are made up of body, mind, and daemon.” – Philip Pullman
4. “We have to be all those difficult things like cheerful and kind and curious and brave and patient, and we’ve got to study and think and work hard, all of us, in all our different worlds.” – Philip Pullman
5. “The place we go to in our sleep, the land of dreams, the door to the other world…it’s just a way of talking about human consciousness.” – Philip Pullman
6. “The truth is what the world is, not what you want it to be.” – Philip Pullman
7. “We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not.” – Philip Pullman
8. “You cannot change what you are, only what you do.” – Philip Pullman
9. “Every little increase in human freedom has been fought over ferociously between those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit.” – Philip Pullman
10. “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” – Philip Pullman
11. “Children can feel, but they don’t have words yet to express what they feel.” – Philip Pullman
12. “The human heart is a frail craft on which we voyage through time, in search of the end of the journey.” – Philip Pullman
13. “The kingdom of heaven was like this,” he said. “Imagine you were going to live forever and you could do whatever you liked, and money was no object. And imagine that you’d made it through the narrow gate.” – Philip Pullman
14. “Love is a powerful weapon.” – Philip Pullman
15. “The things that are good and the things that are bad…they’re not always the way they look.” – Philip Pullman
16. “The worst things always happen to the people who can bear them.” – Philip Pullman
17. “I want to be the person I am, and I want you to be the person you are.” – Philip Pullman
18. “It’s not what you do, it’s why you do it.” – Philip Pullman
19. “People are too complicated to have simple labels.” – Philip Pullman
20. “The most dangerous enemy is the one who’s already inside your walls.” – Philip Pullman
These quotes from The Golden Compass provide a glimpse into the depth and complexity of Pullman’s storytelling. They touch upon themes of human nature, courage, love, and the power of knowledge. Each quote invites readers to reflect upon their own lives and the world around them. Whether you are a fan of the book or simply seeking inspiration, these quotes offer profound insights that will stay with you long after you put the book down.
