I love the whole "pain doesn't make people" speech from cadeseus/taliesin is so incredibly powerful. I just needed to break down why I love it so much.
'May I say, before you go: I think perhaps you are one of the most powerful mages that I've ever had the pleasure to be in the presence of.'
He starts with a compliment. Starting a critique with a compliment might seem like a simple trick to get someone to listen to you and it might still be used for that in this case, but the big difference is that this is a genuine compliment.
'And for this, I would offer a gift.'
This further illustrates that it's a piece of wisdom, not an insult.
'I think it has been a long time since anyone has pointed out to you that you're a fool.'
Again, it's not an insult. The way this is phrased leaves no space to question whether he is a fool, nor does Caduseus directly accuse him of being a fool. This way caduseus surpasses the initial defensive reaction of denying to be a fool and I even think that it surpasses the initial feeling of being offended to be called a fool.
'Pain doesn't make people, it's love that makes people.'
because of all the "setup" Caduseus can just drop the core of his message in full power. No need to water it down since he started by explaining why he was gonna say this. And damn that makes this line powerful.
'The pain is inconsequential. It's love that saves them.'
He repeats/elaborates on this main point, but does it in a way that makes it hit even harder, instead of undermining the main line.
'And you would know that, but you have none around you. You said so yourself, you surround yourself with lies and deceptions.'
In this line he goes back to the fact that this is just a piece of wisdom. This is a fact that Caduceus is telling him, because he said that he does not have the resources to figure it out himself. By pointing this out, Caduseus makes it very hard for him to deny the main line.
'And I wish for you, in the future,'
Caduseus doesn't tell him what to do, but allows him to just sit with this piece of wisdom. Caduseus doesn't tell him that he should be kinder or change his life or whatever, respecting his autonomy over his life.
'to find someone who will mourn you when you are gone. Respectfully.'
This line does 2 things. Firstly, Caduseus tells him to find the love he is lacking. This would allow him to learn that love makes people on his own, meaning caduceus understands that him saying this might not convince him. Secondly, the way that caduseus wishes for him to be loved, reminds him of his mortality and the way he is currently spending his live. Talking about his inevitable death makes him reflect.
