Virgi

“Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone
out on that stream, bearing the sword, and often the
torch, messengers of the might within the land, bearers
of a spark from the sacred fire. What greatness had
not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of
an unknown earth! . . . The dreams of men, the seed
of commonwealths, the germs of empires.”
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

“There's no initiation either into such mysteries. He has to live in the midst of the incomprehensible, which is also detestable. And it has a fascination, too, that goes to work upon him. The fascination of the abomination--you know.
Imagine the growing regrets, the longing to escape, the powerless disgust, the surrender, the hate.”
― Joseph Conrad

“His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an ax. But even at these times the rest of his person seemed to disclaim the intention. Otherwise there was only an indefinable, faint expression of his lips, some- thing stealthy--a smile--not a smile--I remember it, but
I can't explain. It was unconscious, this smile was, though just after he had said something it got intensified for an instant. It came at the end of his speeches like
a seal applied on the words to make the meaning of the commonest phrase appear absolutely inscrutable.”
― Joseph Conrad