The gods conceal from men the happiness of death, that they may endure life.
Lucan
Nobody ever chooses the already unfortunate as objects of his loyal friendship.
Great fear is concealed under daring.
There stands the shadow of a glorious name.
Among those who share a throne there can be no loyalty; Dominion's ever impatient consort.
I have a wife, I have sons: all of them hostages given to fate.
Some men by ancestry are only the shadow of a mighty name.
Might was the measure of right.
Deep-seated are the wounds of civil brawls.
