To grieve is the gift of the living — a gift so many of our kin have long lost - Steven Erikson

When one loves all things of the world, when one has that gift of joy, it is not the armour against grief that you might think it to be. Such a person stands balanced on the edge of sadness – there is no other way for it, because to love as he does is to see clearly.

T'riss sat down opposite the Warden, her expression thoughtful. 'Is civilisation nothing but an illusion, then?'

Knowledge is not enough. It never is. It's the capacity to do something with that knowledge. To do it perfectly. Absolute timing. With devastating consequences.