he knew that fate was only a mythological concept

Nothing before its time, son. Everything in its own time, to its own schedule.

life is more than intelect

Life is a train ride, and at the many stations along the route, people important to us debark, never to get aboard again, until by the end of the journey, we sit in a passenger car where most of the seats are empty.

That's life. Something always happens. We don't live in stasis, frozen in amber.

Funny, how one good cookie could calm the mind and even elevate a troubled soul.