I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me the most civilized music… — Peter Ustinov

Once we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our mind, our one duty is to furnish it well.

To all those who by accident or design, have not been included in this book.

Life was cheap in the Middle Ages. It has become cheaper since. It is only in specific battles for specific lives that our culture is put to the test, and with it our humanity.