All people want to belong to some sort of hierarchy. Allow me to explain. The rich want to be the richest; the poor want to be the smartest; those who are both rich and smart...

The alchemists of past centuries tried hard to make the elixir of life: … Those efforts were in vain; it is not in our power to obtain the experiences and the views of the future...

We wait, starving for moments of high magic to inspire us, but life is full of common enchantment waiting for our alchemists eyes to notice.

Out of old habit, I put my hand on my collarbone, touching a cross that was no longer there. Don’t let them change me, I prayed silently.Let me keep my mind. Let me endure whatever...

You want to be an alchemist so badly? Don’t wait to react to the immediate problem.Plan ahead. Look at the big picture and you won’t ever have to deal with that problem.Better to save yourself...