# Quote — Michael Moorcock, Phoenix in Obsidian

> Nothing is known for certain, Isarda. All knowledge is illusion—purpose is a meaningless word, a mere sound, a reassuring fragment of melody in a cacophony of clashing chords. All is flux—matter is like these jewels. (She throws a handful of gleaming gems upon the golden surface; they scatter. When the last jewel has ceased to move, she looks up at him.) Sometimes they fall into a rough pattern, usually they do not. So as this moment, a pattern has been formed—you and I stand here speaking. But at any moment that which constitutes our beings may be scattered again.

- Author: [Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md)
- Book: [Phoenix in Obsidian](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/phoenix-in-obsidian.md)
- Page: 321
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michael_Moorcock#Phoenix_in_Obsidian_(1970)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/phoenix-in-obsidian/nothing-is-known

## More from this book

> Because I had sought to challenge Destiny, Destiny had taken vengeance.

p. 421 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/phoenix-in-obsidian/because-i-had.md)

> All Empires fall,
>
> All ages die,
>
> All strife shall be in vain.
>
> All Kings go down,
>
> All hope must fail,
>
> But Tanelorn remains—
>
> Our Tanelorn remains...

p. 365 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/phoenix-in-obsidian/all-empires-fall.md)

> Destiny’s Champion,
>
> Fate’s fool.
>
> Eternity’s Soldier,
>
> Time’s Tool.

p. 394 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/phoenix-in-obsidian/destinys-champion-fates.md)