I think that nonexistent mythological creature just broke some of your toes," Jack said. Oh, shut up," said Charles

All stories are true. But some of them never happened.

If you know something bad is coming, can't you plan to avoid it or try to do something differently?" said Charles. Probably", said the Cartographer, "but then the good events would have no flavor. The joy you find in life is paid for by suffering that comes later, just as sometimes, the suffering is redeemed by a joy unexpected. That's the trade that makes a life worth living.

Our weaknesses are always evident, both to ourselves and others. But our strengths are hidden until we choose to reveal them--and that is when we are truly tested. When all that we have within is exposed, and we may no longer blame our inadequacies for our failure, but must instead depend upon our strengths to succeed ... that is when the measure of a man is taken, my boy.

Interesting doesn't always equal practical, but being practical is always less interesting.

Sometimes a catastrophe is simply a course correction.

If everything in the past has value, then there’s no reason for regret, ever.