Yes, yes, yes. Every one of these quotes was a formative part of my childhood, too -- well, not High Wizardry specifically, but when I read other Diane Duane books in high school they slotted right into that understanding of the universe and the constant ongoing work to be done -- and I hadn't consciously thought about it, but you're absolutely right. (Madeleine L'Engle, too, for me.)

It's still awful to have to keep doing the work, and keep fighting the fight. But it's the shape of the world and it's worth doing, and the victories do happen and do matter.