“Sometimes I worry that I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am.”

As the first lines of the novel and written in the Hero of Ages’s epigraph to the prologue, this quote reflects the novel’s theme of heroism and the moral implications of leadership. The quote also displays the emotional complexities of Sanderson’s characters as they strive to fulfill the social roles expected of them in Scadrial’s class-based society.

“Her brother had taught her so many things, then had reinforced them by doing what he’d always promised he would—by betraying her himself. It’s the only way you’ll learn. Anyone will betray you, Vin. Anyone.”

Vin’s brother Reen has betrayed and abandoned her to a life in Camon’s thieving crew. This quote reflects Vin’s deep distrust of other people at the beginning of the novel. The italicized words represent Reen’s voice as it plays through Vin’s mind, a constant reminder of the lack of trust and friendship she expects in her life.

“But you weren’t born an aristocrat. You’re not noble, Vin. You don’t have to play by their rules – and that makes you even more powerful.”

These lines are spoken by Kelsier after he confirms Vin to be a Mistborn. Mistborns are extremely rare, especially among skaa half-bloods. Vin’s mixed parentage of nobility and skaa allows her to burn all the Allomantic metals without the need to strictly follow the nobility’s social codes.