Shall I add a man to my collection? - Patricia A. McKillip

He was silent a moment, struggling. He said finally, “But you had a right to be angry.” “Yes. But not to hurt those I love, or myself.”

The small red eyes regarded him, unblinking. “What would you give me for all the wisdom of the world?” “Nothing.” He turned back to his work. “I have heard you know the answers to every riddle save one. That will be the one I need answering.”

The odd thing about people who had many books was how they always wanted more.