I've been looking forward to serious talks with you, O philosopher, but I have been over-busy with my duties." "You'll be frightfully disappointed. I… - L. Sprague de Camp

Let me tell you a little secret. A man’s ability as a swordsman of the other kind, to borrow your words, hinges much upon his health of body and peace of mind. If you’d fain cause his—ah—resolution to droop, you have but oft to berate him in harsh and wounding terms. If you’re fain to have him serve you with vigor, flatter and praise him; make him think himself worthier than in his heart he knows himself to be.

I passed that off as women’s intuition, which is wrong more often than not. People remember the times it works and forget those it fails.

The knowledge of how to slay each other more swiftly is no true advance in civilization.