The world had broken; the pieces lay like shattered gold, spoil for the strongest. - Mary Renault

He looked as if he were anxiously balancing a large handful of tact, without quite knowing where to put it down.

People who have earned no pride in themselves, are content to be proud of their cities through other men.

Quietly, as night shuts down the uncertain prospect of the road ahead, the wheels sink to stillness in the dust of the halting-place, and the reins drop from the driver’s loosened hands. Staying each his hunger on what pasture the place affords them, neither the white horse nor the black reproaches his fellow for drawing their master out of the way. They are far, both of them, from home and lonely, and lengthened by their strife the way has been hard. Now their heads droop side by side till their long manes mingle, and when the voice of the charioteer falls silent they are reconciled for a night in sleep.