The Book of Heroes
The response came from Ash, in the form of a question." What is a story, U-ri?"
"Something only a weaver makes, I suppose. A lie."
"Not only weavers make stories. All people make stories simply by living out their lives."
Doctor Latore had said something similar. He had told her that there was no other way for men to live.
"As people walk through their lives, they leave stories behind them, like footprints in the sand. Yet sometimes we place stories in front of us, choosing the brightest from those that hang in the firmament of the Circle to guide us - and when we try to live those stories, we fall prey to foolishness. For we are attempting to imitate the story as we think it should be, not as it is.
These stories we follow have many names. Sometimes they are called 'justice'. Other times 'victory' or even 'conquest'. Sometimes they are simply called 'success'. We charge forward, following a vision invisble to those around us. That is the sin of trying to live a story. In our pride, we place the ideal before the deed, and this brings only misfortune. The sin of living a story is great indeed. So great that the last vessel becomes a nameless devout sent here to atone for that sin over an eternity.
"But let me be clear, the sin lies not with the story. Yet the weavers know that sometimes stories can mislead our hearts. They know this, yet they continue their weaving. That is a conscious act that invites karmic retribution - still they are allowed to continue in their work because they also bring hope, goodness, beauty, warmth, and the joy of life to men."
- Miyuki Miyabe
Absolutely one of my favourites. Feel like i just lost a really good friend when i reached the end of this book )=