Another example of Latin:
"The Engineers wanted a return to the small private farms of the first years - divide et impera - but the upper ranks of Administration favored socializing the producing, packing, and distributing establishments, since they would then be under effective control of the small but efficient Admy bureaucracy." (p. 120)
"Divide and rule" under Engineering. Or unite and rule under Admy!
This conflict between Engineering and Administration came early in the history of the first interstellar spaceship. See History In The Pioneer. I summarized the history but did not draw attention to the Latin phrase. There is always more to be found on rereading. Deceptively straightforward narratives conceal unexpected depths.
When Friday studies the history, another upheaval is imminent. We want to know how it will affect the ship and also various individual characters. We would also like to see the Pioneer arrive at Alpha Centauri but that story is one of the many that remain untold.
2 comments:
Though in fact the Roman Empire's main operating maxim was "parcere subiectis, et debellare superbos", as Virgil put it -- "spare the subject, beat hell out of the proud".
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
There is much deserving of being quoted from Virgil, esp. if you know Latin.
Ad astra! Sean
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