“I wonder, sir, if you’d be good enough to advise me.” “Certainly, within the limits of discretion,” said… — Jack Vance

It is all sheer egocentricity: the myth of self triumphant over destiny!

So much existed: so much to be felt and seen and known! A single life was not enough…

Jantiff gave a hollow laugh. “Who now is the exploiter, monopolist, elitist tycoon and all the rest? What of egalism now?”

Esteban retorted in a debonair, if somewhat edgy, voice: “Egalism is all very well, and I subscribe to it! Still: why deny the obvious? Everyone wants to make the most of their life.”