Men are better watching the seasons, and putting good into the earth, than running together in cities, where they listen all day to each other's nois… - Mary Renault

Just lately I have been happier than I ever had the right to expect, and as one goes around the world one sees that happiness is hard to come by and seldom lasts for long.

...maybe his soul remembered. as we know. the ashes of Achilles and Patroklos were mingled in one urn. not even a god could sift the one from the other. Achilles has come back with his fierceness and his pride, and with Patroklos’ feeling. each of them suffered for what he was; this boy will suffer for both.

It can be good to be given what you want; it can be better, in the end, never to have it proved to you that this is what you wanted