"I will inform the world of your preference," said Gaskarth, "but I doubt it will lead to any significant improvements in your lot." - Matt Hughes

"Who was it who said that irony is the fundamental operating principle of the universe?"
"I believe," I said, "that it was Henghis Hapthorn."

Gathering himself together, he asked the dwarf, “Was all this in some way planned and predetermined?”
Gaskarth turned upon the young man a thoughtful gaze. “There are those who say that all is planned, to the placement of the last mote and mite. There are others who say that nothing is purposed, and that the galaxies themselves swing where they will. And then there are some, like me, who prefer to walk on, saying as little as possible.”

"The likelihood seems farfetched."
"So have several of the situations in which we have found ourselves in the recent past," I said.
"But you are resolved to avoid those kinds of situations in the future."
I made a gesture ripe with fatalism. "I have come to understand that the universe accords my resolutions a good deal less consideration than I would prefer."