The Once and Future King (4)

T.H. White. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 1939.

Why read it? Merlyn teaches King Arthur the art of leadership. Part of his training was in learning to live with the animals and gain their perspective. Finally, he founded the Round Table. Merlyn is a most amazing character. A delightful and imaginative tale of what was to become known as Camelot. And a great deal of wisdom.

Ideas:

Of King Arthur: “…an open face, with kind eyes and a reliable or faithful expression, as though he were a good learner who enjoyed being alive and did not believe in original sin.” p. 211.

“The magician’s eyes veiled themselves like a vulture’s….” p. 213.

Merlyn: “Asking advice is a fatal thing.” p. 213.

Merlyn: “I said the war will happen for dozens of reasons, not for one.” p. 220.

Merlyn: “The destiny of man is to unite, not to divide; if you keep on dividing, you end up as a collection of monkeys throwing nuts at each other out of separate trees.” p. 221.

To be continued.