Those who know can divine me, and for those who can not or will not understand, it would be fruitless to pile up explanations...those are the minds that already know or guess and the rest will never understand?~ Baudelaire, Les fleurs du mal
I have now reigned for about fifty years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to fourteen.
~ ascribed to Abd-er-Rahman III of Spain (c. 960 A.D.)
