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You must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium. A wizard's power of Changing and Summoning can shake the balance of the world. It is dangerous, that power. It is most perilous. It must follow knowledge, and serve need. To light a candle is to cast a shadow.

— Ursula K. Le Guin A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)

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More quotes by Ursula K. Le Guin

When true myth rises into consciousness, that is always its message. You must change your life.

Myth and Archetype in Science Fiction (1976)

The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means.

The Lathe of Heaven (1971)

Great artists make the roads; good teachers and good companions can point them out. But there ain't no free rides, baby.

The Language of the Night (1979)

A profound love between two people involves, after all, the power and chance of doing profound hurt.

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

When action grows unprofitable, gather information; when information grows unprofitable, sleep.

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Ursula K. Le Guin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.