In all these fights and flights I have never known that mad joy of battle of which the epics speak. Before the combat I am frightened, during it I am… - L. Sprague de Camp

It must be that Terran love of theirs. Remember the quicksand? Whatever troubles it may cause, that kind of love makes them run risks for each other they wouldn’t for anybody else.

Folly is mortals’ self-selected misfortune.

Now I said: “It’s unjust, Father. A man’s fate should be determined impersonally, on the basis of his virtues and abilities alone, without regard to all these petty personal likes and dislikes.”
My father replied: “Perhaps it should be but it isn’t. If they like you, they’ll excuse your faults; if they dislike you, they’ll overlook your virtues.”
“Then they’re a lot of stupid fools!”
“Are you only just now learning that? But if they are, you won’t change them, not in one lifetime.