So subtle was his mind, and so sudden and resolute was he in action, his people learned simply to obey his directions, and became mere machines in his hands.
Meeting with no aid from those around him, and knowing they were incapacitated from giving sound advice, he kept his own counsel and confided in no one.  So subtle was his mind, and so sudden and resolute was he in action, his people learned simply to obey his directions, and became mere machines in his hands.  But machines in time become ruined and destroyed, and Theodorus began to find his engines of destruction wearing out from perpetual work.