By the hurts we accumulate, we measure both our follies and our accomplishments.. - Christopher Paolini

I refuse to repent, and I won't plague myself over what is done and past

Sword, I name thee Brisingr!
And with a sound of rushing wind the blade burst into flame, an envelope of sapphire-blue fire writhing about the razor-sharp steel.

Always it is thus with my new students, and especially with the human ones; the mind is the last muscle they train or use, and the one that they regard the least. Ask them about swordplay and they can list every blow from a duel a month old, but ask them to solve a problem or make a coherent statement and... well, I would be lucky to get more than a blank stare in return.