After all, what is suffering but an awareness of suffering?

People’s souls are like gardens. You can’t turn your back on someone because his garden’s full of weeds. You have to give him water and lots of sunshine.

That was the best kind of story: when the teller was as much under its spell as the listener.

A little extra forgiveness never hurts," said Matt, quoting one of Celia's favorite sayings.

Does is make the dragon happy?" Matt asked. "Does is make the dragon happy?" echoed Tam Lin. "Why, I never thought of that. I suppose it does. What other pleasure can a creature have whose life consists of making everyone else miserable?

Power's a strange thing, lad. It's a drug people like me crave it.

But I also know that to ignore joy while it lasts, in favor of lamenting one's fate, is a great crime.