Every man carries the seed of his own death, and you will not be more than a man. You will have everything; you cannot have more…

The essence of wisdom is to know when to be doing, and when it's useless even to try

Thinking and planning is one side of life; doing is another. A man cannot be
doing all the time.

To expect and dread a thing for a lifetime; does not prepare you for the thing itself.

I think too many people presume to read the divine Scriptures and fall into such terrors as this,' said Patricius sternly. 'Those who presume on their learning will learn, I trust, to listen to their priests for the true interpretations.'
The Merlin smiled gently. 'I cannot join you in that wish, brother. I am dedicated to the belief that it is God's will that all men should strive for wisdom in themselves, not look to it from some other. Babes, perhaps, must have their food chewed for them by a nurse, but men may drink and eat of wisdom for themselves.

And do you know another thing, Arthur? Life is too bitter already, without territories and wars and noble feuds.