Knights Radiant/Immortal Words

This page lists all known versions of the Ideals of the Knights Radiant, also known as the Immortal Words. For information on the Immortal Words in general, see Knights Radiant#Immortal Words. For details about the meaning of the Ideals of a specific order as well as the powers they gain with each Ideal, see the appropriate section on that order's individual page.

The First Ideal

“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination. ”

—The First Ideal of the Knights Radiant

Subsequent Ideals of Individual Orders

After the First Ideal, each Order has unique words that serve as a path to increasing the Nahel bond and becoming a Knight Radiant. The exact words used may vary, but generally, the concepts implied by them are shared. A Surgebinder progressing along the path will know the words when they are ready to say them. Each order has four sets of words before the final culmination of the Nahel bond.

Ideals of the Order of Windrunners

“I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Windrunners, as sworn by Kaladin and Lopen

“I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Windrunners, as sworn by Kaladin

“I will protect even those I hate, even if the one I hate most is myself. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Windrunners, as sworn by Teft

“I’ve got to protect people, you know? Even from myself. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Windrunners, as sworn by Lopen

“I accept that there will be those I cannot protect. ”

—The Fourth Ideal of the Windrunners, as sworn by Kaladin

Ideals of the Order of Skybreakers

“I will put the law before all else. ”

—A general form of the Second Ideal of the Skybreakers

“I swear to seek justice, to let it guide me, until I find a more perfect Ideal. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth

“I swear to follow the will of Dalinar Kholin. This is my oath. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth

“I will cleanse the Shin of their false leaders, so long as Dalinar Kholin agrees. ”

—The Fourth Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth

Ideals of the Order of Edgedancers

“I will remember those who have been forgotten. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Edgedancers, as sworn by Lift

“I will listen to those who have been ignored. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Edgedancers, as sworn by Lift

Ideals of the Order of Lightweavers

The Order of Lightweavers acknowledge no Ideals other than the First Ideal shared by all Knights Radiant. Members of the Lightweavers do however need to speak "Truths" to advance, which is similar to the process of speaking the Ideals in other Orders. However, instead of a shared set of beliefs like the other orders, the Truths of Lightweavers seem to be acknowledgements of personal truths, especially those that are hard to accept or ones that have been kept secret.

Ideals of the Order of Willshapers

“I will seek freedom for those in bondage. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Willshapers, as sworn by Venli

Ideals of the Order of Bondsmiths

“I will unite instead of divide. I will bring men together. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Bondsmiths, as sworn by Dalinar Kholin

“I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Bondsmiths as sworn by Dalinar Kholin

Ideals of Unknown Orders

The following are confirmed Ideals of an Order (subject to change), but the Order which speaks them has not been confirmed.

“I will stand when others fall. ”

—Unknown Ideal of an Order of Knights Radiant