I may die unmourned, but I sure as hell don’t plan to die unavenged. - Mike Resnick

Nobody reaches a position of authority without the ability to be a back-stabbing bastard when the chips are down.

Have you ever done anything, even once, with no thought of a return?" he asked.
"Yes."
"How old were you? Six?"
"Younger. And I immediately decided that there was no percentage in it.

Why are you fighting it?"
"Because somebody has to."
"That's not much of a reason."
"It's the best reason there is," said Santiago. "The first duty of power is to perpetuate itself. The first duty of free men is to resist it.