Clouds of black birds rose up wailing and screaming, like the thoughts of my heart. - Mary Renault

Then the pain of loss leaped out on me, like a knife in the night when one has been on one’s guard all day.

Alexander offered him (Aristotle)a hand to mount the gangplank, and
tried the effect of a smile. When the man returned it, it could be seen that
smiling was what he would do best; he would not often be caught with
his head back laughing. But he did look like a man who would answer
questions.

All men seek esteem; the best by lifting themselves, which is hard to do, the rest by shoving others down, which is much easier.