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