Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

From Ulysses by Tennyson. Though I discovered it as read by M in Skyfall.

The full poem is available to read here.

Tradition

Sometimes we create fictional characters to speak the truth out loud:

Tradition is a trap. It allows people to stick their head in the sand.

Everything in the past was so quaint, so charming. Times were simpler. Kids didn’t have sex. Neighbors knew each other.

It’s a freaking fairy tale. Things sucked then too. It just sucked without indoor plumbing

– Luke, in Gilmore Girls S01E08