The Four-Part Key Quotes

“Don’t focus so much on what has already happened, or what is yet to come. If you do, you will fail to see what is right in front of you.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“Isn’t that what we all seek? To believe we serve a greater purpose, that our lives will make a difference, and yet at the same time demand that our lives are our own and balk at the notion that we are not in complete control. Quite the paradox.” She turned around to face him, still sitting cross-legged. “Do you believe that with these memories you will somehow discover something new about yourself that you didn’t already know? What makes you . . . you? Do you believe that if those memories are restored, you will suddenly change?”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“cacophony,”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“We have always listened to the Wazeri,” Narendi said, almost defensively. “Knowing our letters doesn’t help us put food on our tables. It has never helped us put shelter over our heads. It is also very difficult to teach without proper materials. We have barely enough parchment to instruct the new Wazeri, let alone all Imbatoo.” “I hadn’t considered that,” Breen said. “Even still, if the Wazeri have been keeping the truth about magic hidden from you, then what other things have they kept hidden? Recording history as they want you to see it.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“This,” Breen said offhandedly, still keeping his eyes on the open door on the other side of the room, “is why learning your letters can be very important. When you are forced to put your trust in others to tell you what is true and what is not, with no way to examine it for yourselves, then they hold all the power.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“So, how do we get people to want the Tower?” Valtor didn’t give Rowen time to answer. “We use their weaknesses.” “Their weaknesses? Like greed and fear?” Valtor grinned. “Harness those two and you will have them eating out of your hands. True power isn’t gold. It’s control. That is why of the two, fear is the more productive. Don’t get me wrong, greed can be quite valuable in its own way. The promise of something for nothing is always alluring, but I find it’s not the motivator that fear can be.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“Faith in oneself is important, but faith without wisdom can be misplaced, and wisdom without strength can lead to complacency, and strength without compassion can lead to tyranny.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“Ayrion wished every day could be as pleasant as these last few. It was such a change of pace to find himself not being chased by angry townsfolk, or set upon by bandits, or battling ancient corporeal generals with armies of white-skinned crazies.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“It’s never wrong to help those in need.” With that, Valtor left the table and exited the great hall by way of one of the side entrances. His mother frowned. “Yes, that has been the motto behind every form of tyranny since the beginning of time. Because, honestly, who doesn’t want to be seen helping people? The fact is, though, you’re not helping anyone by making them dependent on you. That’s called control.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-Part Key

“Mistakes are what it means to be human,” he said. “And I’m as human as they come.”
― Michael Wisehart, The Four-part Key