"there are five things only that can be written about"

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

"the fastness of friendship; the treachery of one's nearest; the destruction of good by good. Passion which over-rides reason.  VIOLENT AND PROUD DEATH !"
    -- Myles na gCopaleen

Myself, I have a certain fondness for passion which does not over-ride reason, but otherwise I'm pretty much in line with this; the destruction of good by good, in particular, as it's a sight more affecting, tragic and moving than the destruction of good by evil where the reader just cheers and boos the appropriate sides.

Anyone else got thoughts on this one ?

[KCK_Sparks]

Well, the list is pretty good and I would like to no more about the author of the quote; seems very insightful. I would add:

-the listlessness of life without a meaning. (Death of a Salesman, Revolutionary Road)

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

Well, the list is pretty good and I would like to no more about the author of the quote; seems very insightful.

Myles nagCopaleen was the pen name of Irish novelist Flann O'Brien when writing a column in the Irish Times from 1940 to I think 1961.  It was fiendishly erudite, and often just fiendish. there are several collections, the best of the first five years in The Best of Myles, I have not the other titles to hand.

[Der Sturmbrecher]

Shattering of a world-view/coming of age/enlightenment (Once and Future King T. H. White, Harry Potter series, others)
Destruction of man by his creations/consequences of action (Frankenstein) - not necessarily just a variant of destruction of good by good.