The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. Every king springs from a race of slaves, and every slave has kings among his ancestors. There is no greater sorrow than to recall a happy time in the midst of wretchedness. He who surpasses or subdues mankind must look down on the hatred of those below. A prophet is considered a madman in his own country.
Every generation laughs at the old fashions but follows religiously the new.
When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you. Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy. There was never a good war or a bad peace. The appellation of 'heretics' has always been applied to the less numerous party. The only certainty is that nothing is for certain.