Interesting Times (Discworld, #17)

by Terry Pratchett

There is a curse. They say: May You Live in Interesting Times

According to the philosopher Ly Tin Wheedle, chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized.

Adventure! People talked about the idea as if it was something worthwhile, rather than a mess of bad food, no sleep and strange people inexplicably trying to stick pointed objects in bits of you.

Rincewind had faced many horrors in his time, but none held quite the same place in the lexicon of dread as those few seconds after someone said, ‘Turn over your papers now.’

The Horde were watching with considerable interest. Hardened as they were, they had a soft spot for pointless bravery.

‘It’s funny,’ said Mr Saveloy, as he followed Death. ‘I didn’t expect it to be this way.’ FEW PEOPLE EVER EXPECT IT TO BE ANY WAY.