The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain, #1)

by Lloyd Alexander

“we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.

Well, that is one of the three foundations of learning: see much, study much, suffer much.”

“you have curious notions about heroes. I have never known courage to be judged by the length of a man’s hair. Or, for the matter of that, whether he has any hair at all.”

But it’s very thoughtful of you to say that. It shows a kind heart, and I think that’s so much more important than being clever.”

“Every living thing deserves our respect,” said Medwyn, knitting his shaggy brows, “be it humble or proud, ugly or beautiful.”

Neither refuse to give help when it is needed,” Medwyn continued, “nor refuse to accept it when it is offered.

“It is not given to men to know the ends of their journeys,” Medwyn answered. “It may be that you will never return to the places dearest to you. But how can that matter, if what you must do is here and

Nothing we do is ever done entirely alone. There is a part of us in everyone else—you, of all people, should know that. From what I hear, you have been as impetuous as your friend Fflewddur; I have been told, among other things, of a night when you dove head first into a thornbush. And you have certainly felt as sorry for yourself as Gurgi; and, like Doli, striven for the impossible.”

Most of us are called on to perform tasks far beyond what we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart.