If there's anything I'm not pompous about, it's myself or my work. But I seem to be able to play it.
You can't deepen the European Union against the wishes of the European countries.
When the going gets tough, you have to lie.
I'm ready to be insulted as being insufficiently democratic, but I want to be serious. . . I am for secret, dark debates.
When it becomes serious, you have to lie.
Decisions can only be reached in Europe if France and Germany agree.
One shouldn't pursue the wrong policies just because one is afraid of not being reelected. Those who intend to govern have to take responsibility for their countries and for Europe as a whole. This means, if need be, that they have to pursue the right policies, even if many voters think they are the wrong ones.
If the Tiber rises too high, or the Nile too low, the remedy is always feeding Christians to the lions.
It's hard, because when you talk about process or your characters ruling your narrative, it sounds like you have no control, but obviously you're ultimately the author, so you do have control.
I like roses best. But they bloom in all four seasons. I wonder if people who like roses best have to die four times over again.
Men first feel necessity, then look for utility, next attend to comfort, still later amuse themselves with pleasure, thence grow dissolute in luxury, and finally go mad and waste their substance.