We Persians have a saying that one should deliberate serious matters first drunk, then sober.

Alexander, of whom men tell many legends, lived by his own. Achilles must have Patroklos. He might love his Briseis; but Patroklos was the friend till death. At their tombs in Troy, Alexander and Hephaistion had sacrificed together. Wound Patroklos, and Achilles will have your blood.

Go with your fate, but not beyond. Beyond leads to dark places.

Never destroy without thought your enemy's pretences; they are usually your best weapon against him.

Do not believe that others will die, not you.... I have wrestled with Thanatos knee to knee and I know how death is vanquished. Man's immortality is not to live forever; for that wish is born of fear. Each moment free from fear makes a man immortal.

Half the world's troubles come from men not being trained to resent a fallacy as much as an insult.

One might have supposed that the true act of love was to lie together and talk.