The common folk have many sayings, all about it being darkest before the
dawn and clouds with silver linings and suchlike. We in the magical trade like
to express our opinions of these matters somewhat differently. A lifetime of
experience will have taught the average sorcerer that no matter how hopeless
the situation seems, no matter how painful and fraught with danger his options
may be, no matter how close he may be to an indescribably hideous death and
perhaps even eternal damnation, still, the good wizard knows, it can always
get worse.
-- The Teachings of Ebenezum, Vol. XLVI (General Introduction)
