The Book of Three Quotes

“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.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“In some cases we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Neither refuse to give help when it is needed,... nor refuse to accept it when it is offered.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“By all means," cried the bard, his eyes lighting up. "A Fflam to the rescue! Storm the castle! Carry it by assault! Batter down the gates!"
"There's not much of it left to storm," said Eilonwy.
"Oh?" said Fflewddur, with disappointment. "Very well, we shall do the best we can.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“I'm trying to make myself invisible."

"That's an odd thing to attempt.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“You know how chickens are, imagining the world coming to an end one moment, then pecking corn the next.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“I can't make sense out of that girl," he said to the bard, "Can you?"

"Never mind," Fflewddur said, "We aren't really expected to.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Are you slow-witted? I'm so sorry for you. It's terrible to be dull and stupid.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“No, no," said Taran slowly, "It would be folly to think of attacking them." He smiled quickly at Fflewddur. "The bards would sing of us," he admitted, "but we'd be in no position to appreciate it.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“I can't stand people who say 'I told you so.' That's worse than somebody coming up and eating your dinner before you have a chance to sit down.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Do you not believe that animals know grief and fear and pain? The world of men is not an easy one for them.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“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.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“I know it isn't nice to vex people on purpose—it's like handing them a toad—but this is much too good to miss and I may never have another chance at it.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“She was the most confusing person he had ever met”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Gwydion stood as a wolf at bay, his green eyes glittering, his teeth bared.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“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.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“It would be a shame if you were killed. I should be very sorry. I know I wouldn't like it to happen to me.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Surely you can entrust your task to your friends."
"No," said Taran, after a long pause, "I have taken it on myself through my own choice."
"If that is so," answered Medwyn, "then you can give it up through your own choice.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“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.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“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 now?”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“I knew something was wrong when you started being so polite.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Hwoinch!’ said Hen Wen.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“What is the use of studying much when I’m to see nothing at all?”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“The bees!”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“It is not the trappings that make the prince,” he said gently, “nor, indeed, the sword that makes the warrior”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“Well, that is one of the three foundations of learning: see much, study much, suffer much.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“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.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“It is not given to men to know the ends of their journeys...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 now?”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three

“In some cases,” he said, “we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.”
― Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three