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Haitaka: Now listen to me, Aaren: No man nor any living thing in this world preserves their life forever. But only to men is it given to know that we must die, and that is a precious gift. This life that is both our torment and our treasure was never meant to endure for eternity. Life is a wave on the sea. Would you force the sea to grow still to save one wave? To save yourself?
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Therru: You think your life belongs to you? Tenar gave me my life. That's why I have to live, so that I can give life to someone else. Lebannen... that is the only way we can live forever.
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Haitaka: Listen to me, Aaren: everything you see under the sun and stars owes its very existence to the balance: the wind and seas, the powers of earth and light, all these do is well and rightly done within the equilibrium. But now, men hold the power to control the world. Men must learn to do what leaf and whale and wind do naturally. It is for us to keep the balance. Everything that exists has its true name. The power of magic is nothing more than the power to command based on the knowledge of a thing's true name. But use that power irresponsibly, and the balance of the world is easily damaged. Spells should be made only when absolutely needed.
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Tenar: Leave her alone! She's done nothing to you!
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Prince Arren: You're right when you said I don't belong here.
Therru: Oh, I didn't mean that...
Prince Arren: No, you were right. And If I don't leave here soon, *it* will come and find me.
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Prince Arren: You must face it, Cob. Everyone fears their own mortality.
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Cob: Anyone who gets in my way must die!
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Cob: Eternal life...
Therru: [glowing] Shadow, return to darkness!
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Prince Arren: Thank you, Therru. I'm returning to Enlad to answer for what I did, so I can finally face myself.
Therru: Arren...
Prince Arren: I was hoping that I could see you again someday. Come on. We have to go thank Sparrowhawk and Tenar.
Tales from Earthsea Quotes
Extended Reading
