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

death was the price of life.

It is better to learn war early from friends, than late from enemies.

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.

All men seek esteem; the best by lifting themselves, which is hard to do, the rest by shoving others down, which is much easier.

Tell a man what he may not sing and he is still half free; even all free, if he never wanted to sing it. But tell him what he must sing, take up his time with it so that his true voice cannot sound even in secret -- there, I have seen is slavery.

One must live as if it would be forever, and as if one might die each moment. Always both at once.