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100 Motivational Khaled Hosseini Quotes That You Should Bookmark

Famous As: Afghan-American Novelist and Former Physician
Born On: March 4, 1965
Born In: Kabul, Afghanistan
Age: 58 Years
Khaled Hosseini is a U.S-based author of Afghan-origin best known for his debut novel, ‘The Kite Runner’. Khaled debuted as a novelist with ‘The Kite Runner’ in 2003. The book received huge critical acclaim and commercial success and went on to become an international best-seller of all times. The novel stayed on the best-seller list of ‘The New York Times’ for 101 consecutive weeks, staying at the number one slot for four weeks. ‘Kite Runner’ was later adapted into a major motion picture and was premiered in December 2007. In 2007, Khaled published his second novel ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ which also won the hearts of many readers. The book was critically acclaimed and sold well. The novel stayed on ‘The New York Times Best- Seller’ list for 103 weeks consecutively, spending 15 weeks at numero uno spot. The same year, Khaled made a trip to Afghanistan with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and his experience in his home country inspired him to establish the ‘Khaled Hosseini Foundation’ through which he has been providing humanitarian assistance in the war-torn country. In 2013, Khaled published his third novel ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ which stayed on ‘The New York Times Best-Seller’ list for 33 consecutive weeks. Khaled is presently a Goodwill Envoy for UNHCR. His books, thoughts, interviews and other writings are source of his famous quotations. Here is a compilation of quotations and sayings by Khaled Hosseini on life, kite, writing, fair, marriage, education, honesty, women, forgiveness and anticipation..
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But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.

But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.

Khaled Hosseini
It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...

It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...

Khaled Hosseini
For you, a thousand times over

For you, a thousand times over

Khaled Hosseini
I suspect the truth is that we are waiting, all of us, against insurmountable odds, for something extraordinary to happen to us.

I suspect the truth is that we are waiting, all of us, against insurmountable odds, for something extraordinary to happen to us.

Khaled Hosseini
And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.

And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.

Khaled Hosseini
There is only one sin. and that is theft... when you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth.

There is only one sin. and that is theft... when you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth.

Khaled Hosseini
Marriage can wait, education cannot.

Marriage can wait, education cannot.

Khaled Hosseini
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.

One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.

Khaled Hosseini
Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.

Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.

Khaled Hosseini
Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.

Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.

Khaled Hosseini
It always hurts more to have and lose than to not have in the first place.

It always hurts more to have and lose than to not have in the first place.

Khaled Hosseini
I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.

I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.

Khaled Hosseini
Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.

Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.

Khaled Hosseini
A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated...

A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated...

Khaled Hosseini
There is a way to be good again...

There is a way to be good again...

Khaled Hosseini
There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood.

There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood.

Khaled Hosseini
Not a word passes between us, not because we have nothing to say, but because we don't have to say anything

Not a word passes between us, not because we have nothing to say, but because we don't have to say anything

Khaled Hosseini
Behind every trial and sorrow that He makes us shoulder, God has a reason.

Behind every trial and sorrow that He makes us shoulder, God has a reason.

Khaled Hosseini
People say that eyes are windows to the soul.

People say that eyes are windows to the soul.

Khaled Hosseini
It's a funny thing... but people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want.

It's a funny thing... but people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want.

Khaled Hosseini
They say, Find a purpose in your life and live it. But, sometimes, it is only after you have lived that you recognize your life had a purpose, and likely one you never had in mind.

They say, Find a purpose in your life and live it. But, sometimes, it is only after you have lived that you recognize your life had a purpose, and likely one you never had in mind.

Khaled Hosseini
A man's heart is a wretched, wretched thing. It isn't like a mother's womb. It won't bleed. It won't stretch to make room for you.

A man's heart is a wretched, wretched thing. It isn't like a mother's womb. It won't bleed. It won't stretch to make room for you.

Khaled Hosseini
I will follow you to the ends of the world.

I will follow you to the ends of the world.

Khaled Hosseini
Time can be a greedy thing-sometimes it steals the details for itself.

Time can be a greedy thing-sometimes it steals the details for itself.

Khaled Hosseini
It's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out.

It's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out.

Khaled Hosseini
A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.

A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.

Khaled Hosseini
Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life. Silence is pushing the off button. Shutting it down. All of it. - Amir

Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life. Silence is pushing the off button. Shutting it down. All of it. - Amir

Khaled Hosseini
Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.

Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.

Khaled Hosseini
I now know that some people feel unhappiness the way others love: privately, intensely, and without recourse.

I now know that some people feel unhappiness the way others love: privately, intensely, and without recourse.

Khaled Hosseini
She is the noor of my eyes and the sultan of my heart.

She is the noor of my eyes and the sultan of my heart.

Khaled Hosseini
You changed the subject.

You changed the subject." "From what?" "The empty-headed girls who think you're sexy." "You know." "Know what?" "That I only have eyes for you.

Khaled Hosseini
Beauty is an enormous, unmerited gift given randomly, stupidly.

Beauty is an enormous, unmerited gift given randomly, stupidly.

Khaled Hosseini
A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.

A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.

Khaled Hosseini
War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.

War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace." - Baba

Khaled Hosseini
I learned that the world didn't see the inside of you, that it didn't care a whit about the hopes and dreams, and sorrows, that lay masked by skin and bone. It was as simple, as absurd, and as cruel as that.

I learned that the world didn't see the inside of you, that it didn't care a whit about the hopes and dreams, and sorrows, that lay masked by skin and bone. It was as simple, as absurd, and as cruel as that.

Khaled Hosseini
In the end, the world always wins. That's just the way of things.

In the end, the world always wins. That's just the way of things.

Khaled Hosseini
You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you have to see and feel.

You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you have to see and feel.

Khaled Hosseini
Better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.

Better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.

Khaled Hosseini
Perhaps this is just punishment for those who have been heartless, to understand only when nothing can be undone.

Perhaps this is just punishment for those who have been heartless, to understand only when nothing can be undone.

Khaled Hosseini
Some stories don't need telling

Some stories don't need telling

Khaled Hosseini
Out beyond ideas
of wrongdoing and right doing,
there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

Khaled Hosseini
Men are easy,' he said, fingers tapping on his mahogany desk. 'A man's plumbing is like his mind: simple, very few surprises. You ladies, on the other hand...well, God put a lot of thought into making you.

Men are easy,' he said, fingers tapping on his mahogany desk. 'A man's plumbing is like his mind: simple, very few surprises. You ladies, on the other hand...well, God put a lot of thought into making you.

Khaled Hosseini
You've always been a tourist here. You just didn't know it.

You've always been a tourist here. You just didn't know it.

Khaled Hosseini
I'm so afraid. Because I'm so profoundly happy. Happiness like this is frightening...They only let you this happy if they're preparing to take something from you.

I'm so afraid. Because I'm so profoundly happy. Happiness like this is frightening...They only let you this happy if they're preparing to take something from you.

Khaled Hosseini
Writing fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth.

Writing fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth.

Khaled Hosseini
A story is like a moving train: no matter where you hop onboard, you are bound to reach your destination sooner or later.

A story is like a moving train: no matter where you hop onboard, you are bound to reach your destination sooner or later.

Khaled Hosseini
All good things in life are fragile and easily lost

All good things in life are fragile and easily lost

Khaled Hosseini
Boys, Laila came to see, treated friendship the way they treated the sun: its existence undisputed; its radiance best enjoyed, not beheld directly.

Boys, Laila came to see, treated friendship the way they treated the sun: its existence undisputed; its radiance best enjoyed, not beheld directly.

Khaled Hosseini
Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end…crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis (nomads).

Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end…crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis (nomads).

Khaled Hosseini
And yet she was leaving the world as a woman who had love and been loved back. she was leaving it as a friend, a companion, a guardian. a mother. a person of consequence at last.

And yet she was leaving the world as a woman who had love and been loved back. she was leaving it as a friend, a companion, a guardian. a mother. a person of consequence at last.

Khaled Hosseini
Laila has moved on. Because in the end she knows that’s all she can do. That and hope.

Laila has moved on. Because in the end she knows that’s all she can do. That and hope.

Khaled Hosseini
When you have lived as long as I have, the div replied, you find that cruelty and benevolence are but shades of the same color.

When you have lived as long as I have, the div replied, you find that cruelty and benevolence are but shades of the same color.

Khaled Hosseini
But the game involves only male names. Because, if it's a girl, Laila has already named her

But the game involves only male names. Because, if it's a girl, Laila has already named her

Khaled Hosseini
You say you felt a presence, but I only sensed an absence. A vague pain without a source. I was like a patient who cannot tell the doctor where it hurts, only that it does.

You say you felt a presence, but I only sensed an absence. A vague pain without a source. I was like a patient who cannot tell the doctor where it hurts, only that it does.

Khaled Hosseini
It was the kind of love that, sooner or later, cornered you into a choice: either you tore free or you stayed and withstood its rigor even as it squeezed you into something smaller than yourself.

It was the kind of love that, sooner or later, cornered you into a choice: either you tore free or you stayed and withstood its rigor even as it squeezed you into something smaller than yourself.

Khaled Hosseini
I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t.

I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t.

Khaled Hosseini
The rope that pulls you from the flood can become a noose around your neck.

The rope that pulls you from the flood can become a noose around your neck.

Khaled Hosseini
Yet love can move people to act in unexpected ways and move them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with startling heroism

Yet love can move people to act in unexpected ways and move them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with startling heroism

Khaled Hosseini
Tariq tucked the gun into the waist of his denims. Then he said a thing both lovely and terrible.

Tariq tucked the gun into the waist of his denims. Then he said a thing both lovely and terrible. "For you," he said. "I'd kill with it for you, Laila.

Khaled Hosseini
Life is a train, get on board.

Life is a train, get on board.

Khaled Hosseini
They tell me I must wade into waters, where I will soon drown. Before I march in, I leave this on the shore for you. I pray you find it, sister, so you will know what was in my heart as I went under.

They tell me I must wade into waters, where I will soon drown. Before I march in, I leave this on the shore for you. I pray you find it, sister, so you will know what was in my heart as I went under.

Khaled Hosseini
Attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun.

Attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun.

Khaled Hosseini
For courage, there must be something at stake. I come here with nothing to lose.

For courage, there must be something at stake. I come here with nothing to lose.

Khaled Hosseini
Kabul is... a thousand tragedies per square mile.

Kabul is... a thousand tragedies per square mile.

Khaled Hosseini
I'm sorry,

I'm sorry," Laila says, marveling at how every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet, she sees, people find a way to survive, to go on.

Khaled Hosseini
The finger cut, to save the hand.

The finger cut, to save the hand.

Khaled Hosseini
And every day I thank [God] that I am alive, not because I fear death, but because my wife has a husband and my son is not an orphan.

And every day I thank [God] that I am alive, not because I fear death, but because my wife has a husband and my son is not an orphan.

Khaled Hosseini
Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly.

Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly.

Khaled Hosseini
There was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it.

There was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it.

Khaled Hosseini
Sad stories make good books

Sad stories make good books

Khaled Hosseini
The past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion

The past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion

Khaled Hosseini
And suddenly, just like that, hope became knowledge. I was going to win. It was just a matter of when.

And suddenly, just like that, hope became knowledge. I was going to win. It was just a matter of when.

Khaled Hosseini
It's wrong to hurt even bad people. Because they don't know any better, and because bad people sometimes become good.

It's wrong to hurt even bad people. Because they don't know any better, and because bad people sometimes become good.

Khaled Hosseini
He said that if culture is a house, then language was the key to the front door; to all the rooms inside. Without it, he said, you ended up wayward, without a proper home or a legitimate identity.

He said that if culture is a house, then language was the key to the front door; to all the rooms inside. Without it, he said, you ended up wayward, without a proper home or a legitimate identity.

Khaled Hosseini
I found a sad little fairy 
Beneath the shade of a paper tree.
I know a sad little fairy
Who was blown away by the wind one night.

I found a sad little fairy Beneath the shade of a paper tree. I know a sad little fairy Who was blown away by the wind one night.

Khaled Hosseini
Though there were moments of beauty, Mariam knew for the most part that life had been unkind to her.

Though there were moments of beauty, Mariam knew for the most part that life had been unkind to her.

Khaled Hosseini
I have lived a long time, and one thing I have come to see is that one is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person's heart

I have lived a long time, and one thing I have come to see is that one is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person's heart

Khaled Hosseini
Blood is a powerful thing

Blood is a powerful thing

Khaled Hosseini
That's how children deal with terror, they fall asleep.

That's how children deal with terror, they fall asleep.

Khaled Hosseini
Yes, hope is a strange thing. Peace at last. But at what price?

Yes, hope is a strange thing. Peace at last. But at what price?

Khaled Hosseini
The desert weed lives on, but the flower of spring blooms and wilts.

The desert weed lives on, but the flower of spring blooms and wilts.

Khaled Hosseini
Human behavior is messy and unpredictable and unconcerned with convenient symmetries.

Human behavior is messy and unpredictable and unconcerned with convenient symmetries.

Khaled Hosseini
At last, she makes her choice. She turns around, drops her head, and walks toward a horizon she cannot see. After that, she does not look back anymore. She knows that if she does, she will weaken.

At last, she makes her choice. She turns around, drops her head, and walks toward a horizon she cannot see. After that, she does not look back anymore. She knows that if she does, she will weaken.

Khaled Hosseini
He knew I'd seen everything in that alley, that I'd stood there and done nothing. He knew that I'd betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time.

He knew I'd seen everything in that alley, that I'd stood there and done nothing. He knew that I'd betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time.

Khaled Hosseini
I brought Hassan’s son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty

I brought Hassan’s son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty

Khaled Hosseini
It turned out that, like Satan, cancer had many names.

It turned out that, like Satan, cancer had many names.

Khaled Hosseini
Nothing good came free. Even love. You paid for all things. And if you were poor, suffering was your currency.

Nothing good came free. Even love. You paid for all things. And if you were poor, suffering was your currency.

Khaled Hosseini
It is now your duty to hone that talent, because a person who wastes his God-given talents is a donkey.

It is now your duty to hone that talent, because a person who wastes his God-given talents is a donkey.

Khaled Hosseini
All my life, I'd been around men. That night, I discovered the tenderness of a woman.

All my life, I'd been around men. That night, I discovered the tenderness of a woman.

Khaled Hosseini
As far as I know, he never asked where she had been or why she had left and she never told. I guess some stories do not need telling.

As far as I know, he never asked where she had been or why she had left and she never told. I guess some stories do not need telling.

Khaled Hosseini
Gone.
Vanished.
Nothing left.
Nothing said.

Gone. Vanished. Nothing left. Nothing said.

Khaled Hosseini
I think that everything he did, feeding the poor, giving money to friends in need, it was all a way of redeeming himself. And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when guilt leads to good.

I think that everything he did, feeding the poor, giving money to friends in need, it was all a way of redeeming himself. And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when guilt leads to good.

Khaled Hosseini
She thought of Aziza's stutter, and of what Aziza had said earlier about fractures and powerful collisions deep down and how sometimes all we see on the surface is a slight tremor.

She thought of Aziza's stutter, and of what Aziza had said earlier about fractures and powerful collisions deep down and how sometimes all we see on the surface is a slight tremor.

Khaled Hosseini
I thought about you all the time. I used to pray that you’d live to be a hundred years old. I didn’t know. I didn’t know that you were ashamed of me.

I thought about you all the time. I used to pray that you’d live to be a hundred years old. I didn’t know. I didn’t know that you were ashamed of me.

Khaled Hosseini
I want to give up my bearings, slip out of who i am, shed everything, the way a snake discards old skin.

I want to give up my bearings, slip out of who i am, shed everything, the way a snake discards old skin.

Khaled Hosseini
I wished I could be alone in my room, with my books, away from these people.

I wished I could be alone in my room, with my books, away from these people.

Khaled Hosseini
A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint, her grace not sullied but shaped by the turbulence that washes over her.

A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint, her grace not sullied but shaped by the turbulence that washes over her.

Khaled Hosseini
I don't know what this feather means, the story of it, but I know it means he was thinking of me. For all these years. He remembered me.

I don't know what this feather means, the story of it, but I know it means he was thinking of me. For all these years. He remembered me.

Khaled Hosseini
He stopped, turned. He cupped his hands around his mouth. ''For you a thousand times over!'' he said. Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner.

He stopped, turned. He cupped his hands around his mouth. ''For you a thousand times over!'' he said. Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner.

Khaled Hosseini
Love was a damaging mistake and its accomplice,hope, a treacherous illusion

Love was a damaging mistake and its accomplice,hope, a treacherous illusion".

Khaled Hosseini