Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you’re always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you’ve done it there’s always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you’d much better not.
-- Rat (Chapter 1 paragraph p. 10)

Importance: In this quote, the stage is set for the entire novel. Adventures, misadventures, surprises, and the daily routine all factor into life, and factor into the rest of "The Wind in the Willows". Rat is speaking to Mole about the things that occur in life, and that whether one is working at home, or out in the world exploring, there is always something which keeps people busy.

Boating is played out. He’s tired of it, and done with it. I wonder what...
-- Rat (Chapter 2 paragraph p. 21)