The real world out there isn't nearly as nice as some people prefer it to be, so don't swallow everything your high-born teachers tell you without takinga long hard look at it yourselves.

When you know that something's going to happen, you'll start trying to see signs of its approach in just about everything. Always try to remember that most of the things that happen in this world aren't signs. They happen because they happen, and their only real significance lies in normal cause and effect. You'll drive yourself crazy if you start trying to pry the meaning out of every gust of wind or rain squall. I'm not denying that there might actually be a few signs that you won't want to miss. Knowing the difference is the tricky part.

Nothing that's really worthwhile should be easy, Belgarion. If it's easy, we don't value it.

...only in the surrender of the light could the darkness prevail.

Who owns a man, Durnik?” the blond young man asked sadly. “The one who rules him, or the one who pays him?

Events are like horses. Sometimes they run away. After they've run for a while, though, they'll start to walk again. Then there'll be a time to put everything together.

It's the nature of man to ask questions. --Belgarath