In every society, you will find the dualism of Man and his work. There is no good without evil, no civilization without barbarism, no life without death. The inevitable progression of Humanity from primitive culture to advanced techno-society is in fact but half the truth, for the forces that would tear down these bastions of progress are no less inevitable. In the end, History is not so much a chronicle of years as it is a story of cycles. Perhaps the ancients recognized this best with their stories of Armageddon, Ragnarok, and Nuclear holocaust, but they reckoned without the turn of the wheel that will start the whole cycle over once more.
-Dr. Ernst Meyer, Shadows of the Future, ComStar Publications, Terra, 3024

Trusting Divine Providence to be our guide, we, the Sovereign Citizens of New Avalon, do this day ordain and approve this Covenant, that all Peoples upon the face of this planet shall be forever equal under th Law, that Justice shall rule the Strong as it does the Weak, that Freedom shall be our Sword and Hope our strongest Shield.
-From The Covenant of New Avalon, 2239

Is this why we fought the Governor-for the right to destroy ourselves?
-Colonel Jason Hasek, 2249

No government in history has ever balanced freedom with stability. You may create order or you may encourage freedom, but you shall never do both.
-Prime Minister Nathan DuVall, in a letter written to his son, 2281

How do you make sweeping statements about a family with a thousand-year history? No set of catchphrases can describe every individual in the Davion line accurately. Yet the Davions themselves have an old saying about their clan, one that echoes what was said of the Claudian emperors of ancient Rome: "The Davions breed two kinds of children, the fair and the foul, but it's not always clear which is which!"
-From History of the Davions, by Enrico Rosario, Nova Press Interstellar, 3015

We owe our freedom to the dedication of our patriots, to the determination of our citizens, and to the valor of our soldiers. But for the support and the bravery of all who have fought for our cause none would have lived to see this day.
-From the inaugural speech of Prime Minister Jason Hasek, Provisional Government, New Avalon, 2237

I fear the growth of a subtle dictatorship far more than the return of the Terrans. We have long watched the DuValls forging shackles for the rest of us to wear. I say that the choice of this Ambassador's son as Prime Minister is the final link in forging the chains that we shall be compelled to wear for all time to come.
-Jason Hasek III, in a letter to an unknown correspondent, 2307

Our one world cannot stand alone any longer, we must reach out, forge new bonds, and seek friends among the stars, so that our children can stay strong and free.
-Lucien Davion in a speech in support of the Crucis Pact, 2317

Sometimes, it is hard for social historians to judge the causes and effects of change. On Arcadia, another "garden world" of the Crucis March, peace and prosperity were the watchwords even in the worst years of the Terran retreat from her former colonies. The planet's plentiful water, extensive agriculture, abundant raw materials, and booming industrial economy made Arcadia the logical heart of the new Federated Suns. But it was struggling, strife-ridden New Avalon that emerged as the lead planet of the Inner Sphere's most powerful state. Why did the poorer world succeed over the richer? Perhaps it was a matter of harsher conditions breeding tougher people, or of luxury blinding the Arcadian rulers to the need to expand aggressively. In the long run, though, New Avalon's fortunes were built solidly on the foundations laid by a single family-the Davions. If the Davions had emigrated to another world, would history have awarded New Avalon another band of visionary leaders? Or would the family have emerged on any planet they settled as the dominant influence in the politics of their region of space? That is a question historians will never be able to answer.
-From The Dynamics of History, by Louise Charbineau, NAIS Press, New Avalon, 3018

I see a day when the Mother of Worlds will acknowledge that her children have surpassed her, when the Children of the Stars shall claim a rightful place as equals-rather than as colonial subjects-alongside the Children of Earth. I see a time of peace and prosperity embracing not one world, but a thousand worlds. Most of all, I see a day when unity in the common cause of freedom will create an age when no world need suffer from hardships or famines or internal strife, because a thousand brother-worlds will be standing by to provide the support needed to weather the bad times or to enjoy the good.
-Lucien Davion, from a speech to the New Avalon Chamber of Deputies, 2317

I agree that our new Prime Minister is more than a bit of a snake. If it takes a snake to make the federation strong, then I, for one, am ready to lie on the ground and hiss right along with him.
-From a letter by Chief Magistrate Michael Fairborn of Augusta, in a letter to his wife, 2333

My family has served you since the very beginning, and it will continue to serve as long as this august body is willing to accept our aid. I am not my father, I do not have his record of achievements to prove my worth to you. What I can offer you is my heart, my soul, my flesh, and my untiring devotion, not only to my own world, but to any world that seeks the protection and the freedom of these Federated Suns.
-Reynard Davion, in his acceptance speech before the Federated Suns High Council, 2340

Perhaps House Davion was too successful too quickly. If they had not risen so rapidly to absolute power within the Federated Suns, their line might have produced more leaders qualified to fulfill the duties of rulership. From the very start, the Davions began to function as a dynasty, but with no provision for screening out the unfit or ensuring proper training or preparation. When fate brought forward a fool, a weakling, or a tyrant, there was no choice but for the family, the planet of New Avalon, and the Federated Suns to accept him. All too often, a ruler's flaws did not show up until after he was in power.
-From The Davions: A Family Portrait, by Johannes Bergmann, Capella Publishing House, 3008

Can any of you honestly claim to respect anything this man has done? How long must we go on bowing down before this family of tyrants and madmen?
-Roderick Varnay, from a speech before the High Council, 2378

Perhaps you believe that a sick man cannot rule effectively? My brother was never ill a day in his life, but did that make him an effective ruler? Do not make the mistake of assuming that physical strength is a prerequisite of mental ability, my friends. I assure you that it is not.
-Paul Davion, from a speech before the High Council, 2378

Our worlds don't need a brilliant general or a zealous reformer. What we need today is the patient watchfulness of a maiden aunt, and who better than I to fill that need?
-Marie Davion, from a speech to the High Council, 2394

It is intolerable that the High Council should be dissolved on this flimsy pretext. We will not accept such a measure, and would sooner put an end to this sham of federation than to our ability to represent the views of our people in the Council forum.
-Richard Emerson Caldwell, Delegate from El Dorado, from a speech to the High Council, 2417

The 25th Century began in tyranny and the threat of civil war between the Davion family and the rest of the Federated Suns. It ended in a different form of tyranny and the threat of a war among the Davions. Between the accession of Simon and the rebellion of Alexander, however, there came a brief Golden Age, when a new order bound together the Crucis worlds. For a few short decades, Lucien Davion's dream of a cooperative federation became a reality. It is one of the great ironies of history that Lucien's democratic ideals came closest to fulfilment only after his descendant Simon forged a hereditary aristocracy to reign over the Federated Suns.
-From The First Princes, by Lydia Marsovich, Teller-Burrows Corp., 3023

No one man can govern so vast a realm, even if that man is genius, saint, and hero all at once. And when a man of inferior or even ordinary abilities tries to exercise power over so many worlds and so many billions of people, the result is the tyranny, chaos, ignorance, greed, or hatred that we have already seen too often. Some like to hark back to the creed of the 20th century, proclaiming that all democracies are inherently good and all aristocratic oligarchies inherently evil. It is my belief, however, that only a stable aristocracy exercising authority over manageable areas of our Federated Suns can hope to blend the decisiveness of central rule with flexibility and freedom. It is not the system of government that will be good or bad, but rather the people who wield power within it. Did not my late, unlamented cousins take supreme power on the basis of a system that grew out of a democratic form of government?
-Simon Davion, from a speech to the High Council, 2417

You call that lecherous pig a Prince! He's nothing but a dog, and I'd trade my life to see him dead before I'd see him hurt others the way he hurt my Cynthia.
-Raymond Sinclair, from a speech before the New Avalon High Court, 2467

You say I am a cripple, unable to walk. I say one does not govern a realm from one's feet. You say I am a woman. I say I am of the same stock as Marie Davion, whom you all claim to revere. You say I am untrained. But who among you, other than those already holding a Princely title, is trained for this position? My Lords of the Council, I am the sister of James Davion, but I have never been accused of uncontrolled lust. I am the daughter of Simon Davion, but I hae never been accused of murder. I will be the aunt of a new Davion heir, one with the training and the legitimacy you claim that I lack. Let me show you that I can fulfill the needs of this high office.
-Ellen Davion, from a speech to the High Council, 2467

He is a man of sound character, honest, and trained to serve the people. You have heard of his exploits on the Draconis frontier, as you have heard of his good work in a dozen embassies and missions on my behalf. When I promised this august body that he would be my heir, no one knew what kind of man we had chosen. By the Grace of God, we could not have chosen better.
-Ellen Davion, from a speech before the High Council, 2502

By the time of Prince William, the strain of managing a multi-world, multi-interest combine had finally become too much for the Federated Suns government to handle.
Each new crisis had shaped the federation for good or ill, but each solution contained the seeds for new and unexpected problems. A parallel in Terra's own remote history might be the Roman Empire, where political systems had to adapt constantly to the facade of a stable, unchanging state. As late as the reign of Rome's "Thirty Tyrants," that state was known as a republic, deferrng to the propaganda but not the proclivities of its powerful First Citizens. It was much the same in the Federated Suns during the reigns of Ellen and William.
-From Davion, Kurita and Marik: The Rival Houses of the Inner Sphere, by Thelos Auburn, Commonwealth Historical Press, 3026

It is incredible that the young Prince is still alive. The Council of Regents is planning to supplant him, but I think the Regents are divided as much against themselves as they are united in their most basic aims. I'll wager that Alexander will live only so long as he is useful. Then we shall have a tragic death and a new ruler. Pray God the Federation survives it all!
-Jose Estevez, Duke of New Andalusia, from a letter written three weeks before his arrest for treason, 2518

There are worlds besides Syrtis or fair Avalon,
And subjects still loyal despite Varnay's wrong.
Brave citizen soldiers ten thousand men strong
Will follow the Banner of Young Davion.
CHORUS
So ready the vessel, make ready to lift,
Plot coordinates to jump through the Barrier Rift.
Tonight starts the journey, 'twill ever live on
Of that proud Princely Banner of Young Davion.
Then away to Nahoni, to marsh and to mud.
'Fore I yield to the Regents, I'll shed my life's blood.
Tremble, false Varnay, you'll see more anon
Of the bold Sunburst Banner of Young Davion.
-From The Banner of Young Davion, as recorded in Songs of the Crucis March, compiled by Edward Monroe, 2896

Pray God this is really the end of it all. No throne is worth what we've paid today.
-Prince Alexander Davion, after the Battle of Robinson, 2540

I fear that some members of this Council are laboring under a misapprehension. For example, I often hear it said that Reynard never intended this or Simon would never have done that. My Lords, my name is Alexander, not Simon, Reynard, Paul, or Lucien. I have fought for 13 years to bring an end to the reign of terror that my two aunts imposed upon these Federated Suns. If you have not yet learned who I am, perhaps you should ask my MechWarriors. They have already shared the news with the Varnays and the Rostovs.
After the Battle of Robinson, I swore that there would never again be civil war among us. If the actions I take contradict the sacred traditions of my forefathers, it is only because that oath means more to me than any famous remark from the annals of our history. I will have my way in this, my Lords, one way or another as you may be sure that my Aunt Laura or Prince David Varnay would have had their way if either one had survived to sit in this proud Chamber.
-Prince Alexander Davion, from a speech before the High Council, 2541

By joining the Star League, Prince Alexander brought his realm finally and irrevocably into the politics of the so-called "Inner Sphere." For centuries, the Federated Suns had remained relatively isolated from the other powers of the Inner Sphere, except for encounters that were militant in nature and inconclusive in outcome. Then, suddenly, came the dawn of a new era. The First Prince of the Federated Suns was no longer just a ruler of his own state, but now had a voice in decisions that would affect the fate of nearly the whole of Interstellar Man. Isolationism had been the watchword when Lucien and his successors were in power. For the successors of Prince Alexander, however, isolationism was anathema. The struggle for political power had moved into a new arena, and the Davions, now secure on the Princely throne, would not be left out of that struggle.
-From The Rise and Fall of the Star League, by D.H. Rand, Tharkad Press, 2989

No one man can rule Humanity, nor would any rational citizen welcome such a dictatorship if that man existed. The Star League gives us the best of both worlds-control over our own destiny, but with active help from our own kind in other realms. The Star League is not the path to dictatorship, as some critics tell us, but rather the road to the freedom, prosperity, and peace that Man has lacked for 5,000 years.
-Prince Alexander Davion, from a holovid address to the people of New Avalon, 2576

No Davion ever backed down from a fight I'm not going to be the first one to change that, not if the whole bloody Star League decides to crash the party.
-Prince Joseph Davion, on hearing of the violation of the Genoa Resolution, 2725

If we should ever want to come back to the Inner Sphere, we will need only search for a cluster of stars burning brighter than the rest, their illumination strengthened by a thousand fires burning on a thousand planets. We'll know that is where we left the five Houses to fight themselves into extinction.
-Captain Agincort Malloy, quoted in Reflections on the Exodus, by Precentor Jonathan Degrassi, 2801

Considering all that we've done in recent years, I'm not surprised that we are at war. It's a fitting punishment.
-From The Private Journals of Prince John Davion, NAIS Press, New Avalon, 3011

I'd sell my grandmother to be able to say that our situation wasn't critical. Trouble is, she died fighting those bastards two hours ago.
-From official AFFS transcripts, dated May 2787, AFFS Archives, Avalon City

Remember Kentares!
-Popular rallying cry, circa 2797, quoted from Culture Under Stress: The First Succession War, by Duchess Greta Dewers, 3011

In times like these, it is the ruler's duty to look after his people. Power for power's sake is hardly worth seeking, but power to save this realm is something I must have and something I will have.
-Prince Paul Davion, in a speech before The High Council, 2800

Doesn't the fact that we stand on the brink of extermination make you think that perhaps we were doing things wrong?
-Prince Paul, to members of the High Council, quoted in Political Memoirs, by Duke Gregory Simons, NAIS Press, New Avalon, 2999

Why should we be so amazed and honored because Dame Ilsa Liao wants to make a deal that would recognize me as First Lord? The truth is self-evident and shouldn't have to be bargained for.
-Prince Paul's remarks concerning Chancellor Liao's offer to recognize him as First Lord, in exchange for certain worlds, quoted from Political Memoirs, by Duke Gregory Simons, Toledo Press, New Avalon, 2999

All dressed up with nowhere to go.
-Regimental slogan for the 102nd Avalon Mixed Weapons Unit

I do my duty, no more, no less. Why? Is there anything more to a soldier's life?
-From official transcripts of the MI interrogation of General Chosokabe Motochika, 2830

A nice place if you're a badger or a glutton for punishment.
-Remarks by a Davion 'Mech officer during the holonews show "The Sun of Truth," 12 August 2832

Of course, I'm sick of all this fighting, but if I claim that I'm not going to fight anymore because I'm tired and worn out, what would stop my subjects from doing the same? It would be great if everyone on all sides could say that they were sick and tired of the war and were going to quit, but I doubt if Coordinator Kurita or Chancellor Liao will call the war on account of exhaustion.
-Prince Paul Davion, 2842

No. You're misunderstanding what I said again. I do not think our Prince is a lesser man for actively pursuing his dream of peace. I think he is just a foolish one for not realizing that this is neither the time nor the place.
-Count Tuolov Hasek, during the FNS news program, "Federation News in Review", 8 September 2843

One factor often overlooked in deciding whether to invade a world is the planet's emotional worth. What will happen to your enemy if you take the world? Will he shrug his shoulders and continue as before? Or, will he pull at his hair and gnash his teeth in anguish? Demoralize your enemy. Make him realize that you know what makes him happy and that you will do anything to take it away from him.
-From A Single Slice of the Sword: Strategy in a Universe of Dwindling Resources, Miyogi Kurita, Imperial Press, 2847

I'm glad that peace has finally returned to the Inner Sphere. Now, if logic and common sense could step in and make the peace permanent with a series of fair and equitable treaties, we could make war a thing of the past.
-From Prince Michael's Christmas Day Peace Proposal, 2863

If war was as simple as Dimensional Chess, then all our Marshals would be brainy academic types. War isn't, and our Marshals definitely aren't.
-From The Private Journals of a Loyal Marshal, by Prime Marshal Peter Davion, Avalon Military Press, 2874

ATTENTION ALL PDZS. Order code is as follows: Papa, Echo, November, Delta, Romeo, Alpha, Golf, Oscar, November 559. Personal comments to all loyal members of this AFFS mission: Like a pack of hungry hounds, we have at last been unleashed. Let us seize the opportunity to take a bite out of the Dragon.-Prime Marshal Peter Davion.
-Order for the Davion offensive against House Kurita, 2869

How in hell am I supposed to know where they went? All I know is that they've deserted, and if I ever get my hands on them, I'll slit their throats. That's assuming I live through this, of course.
-Message from Colonel Joan Didier, commander of the 45th Galax Tank Regiment, to the New Syrtis Regional Command. Published in The Dangerous Hand: The Federated Suns and Mercenary Units, by Duke Robert Tagart, Syrtis Military Press, 2987

I don't give a flying fig for talk and diplomacy. Those things are for the weak-hearted and the addle-pated. Battle and bed-that's where I perform best.
-Prince Carl Davion, quoted from My Life as a Royal Camp Follower, by Jessica Jerloos, Risque Press of Odell, 2877

I too enjoy the thrill of combat, but I am not foolish enough to allow myself that luxury. I know how much my people need me, and that is my greatest responsibility. My brother was a fool; I am not.
-Princess Melissa Davion, in an unpublished letter to Field Marshal Lennox, a trusted adviser and friend, 2877

When two armies of equal strength face off, victory will go to the side whose soldiers genuinely care for each other and will, therefore, willingly risk their lives for their comrades.
-Prince Melissa Davion in an unpublished letter to Field Marshal Gerald Lennox, 2892

This is how I see society. At the top are the Davions. Next come the nobility and the military. Then the government. At the bottom are the common citizens. The bottom serves the top. This is the way all societies have been since the first time a strong man declared himself king and demanded that the weaker members of the tribe serve him. Why tamper with the natural order of things?
-Prince Joseph Davion II, 2898

It's ridiculous to let the Capellans sit there and catch their breath. They're vulnerable, and we should be all over them like a bad smell.
-Field Marshal Peter Davion II, 2928

'Taint nothing but a scratch.
-Prince Joseph, after his 'Mech was gunned down by a Kurita Slayer

We will not win this war through attrition. Too many other warlords have tried and failed with the strategy of exhaustion. A subtler strategy will win this war, and one day the Sunburst will fly over a united League.
-Prince Peter Davion, quoted from The New Davions: Politics Over PPCs, by Duke Reginald Timons, Avalon Press, 2955

I've always found fighting in an AeroSpace Fighter much more honest than fighting in a 'Mech. In a fighter, you maneuver through space, cutting and slicing at your opponent any way you can. And if your fighter should get hit, you tumble straight into the black void. To me, that has always been much closer to the truth than a 'Mech fight.
-General Sylvia Nathan, quoted in The Scythe of the PPC, by Duchess Fredrica Davion, Addicks Press, 3021

They call our new Prince"The Hound," and I must say that the label is not far from the mark. He has the kind of expression you might associate with a faithful old hunting dog, with those large, sad eyes and a nose just a little too big for his face. Of course, the real source of that nickname is his character. Ian Davion has the tenacity and determination of a bloodhound on the trail, and I don't think he'd give up an idea if all the 'Mechs from here to Luthien stood in his way.
-From the diary of Naomi Gavin Rollings, Countess of Trethany Valley, Galax, 4 September 2999

Decline? Why must it be a decline? Couldn't it be that the Capellans have improved their fighting skills? Why blame our soldiers for a supposed decline in their skills? Why blame me?
-Duke Michael Hasek-Davion, from official court transcripts, 10 September 3005

I've no delusions about my brother-in-law. If my brother was known as the Hound, and I'm the Fox, then the Duke of New Syrtis is the Weasel darting through the underbrush, looking to take advantage.
-From the private journals of Hanse Davion, 3013

Can it be a coincidence that leaders who are able to see the value of diplomacy, and even of alliances, should arise in all five realms simultaneously?
-From The Resurgence of Diplomacy, by Professor Randolph Nelson, New Avalon Institute Press, 3024

His Highness, the First Prince, is a man to be reckoned with. Under his brother, we saw much of war and were often victorious, but I think we can look forward to far greater success now. The current Davion is not just a ruler but a leader, someone who knows what he wants and how to get it without compromising his position, his popularity, or his honor. That's rare these days, but he's not called "The Fox" for nothing.
-From a letter by Vanessa Sandoval, Countess of the Pearl Islands, to His Grace, the Duke of Robinson, 3013

I'm still pretty young, but I've seen enough action to kill any heroic feelings I had toward combat and war. For me, knowing that I have to send men and women into combat is the dirtiest job I can think of.
-Prince Hanse Davion, 3023

An Alliance is a delicate thing, but I think ours will live beyond us. The day will come when our people will view our two states as a single realm with a single desire for peace.
-Toast made by Prince Hanse Davion to Archon Katrina Steiner, 3022

Governments should never be static, inflexible creations of a people anymore than a person should have a static and inflexible personality. The best governments have proven to be quick and decisive in dealing with outside threats, yet cautious and contemplative in dealing with the affairs of its own people.
-From The Political Philosophies of the Davion Family, by Countess Yvonne Narwhal, New Avalon Political Press, 3010

Let the Davions worry how many stars fly the Sunburst. I worry about how few coins there are in my pockets and how many rocks sit in my fields.
-A common saying among the people of the Federated Suns

I deeply respect what the many beliefs have brought mankind over the millenia, but I often feel that major religions are a bit like flowers in a bed of manure: the stench from all the evil acts committed in their name tends to overpower the good that comes from them.
-From The Collected Sayings of Lucien Davion, edited by Charles Davion, New Avalon Press, 2336

I, Hanse Davion, rightful heir and successor to my brother, do accept from His Most Honored Chairman Elder, Cardinal Diego Lavera, the Unfinished Book and the Scepter of State as symbols of my rights and responsibilities toward all the peoples of the Federated Suns. God bless the freedom-loving people of the Federated Suns.
-From the official Coronation Speech of Hanse Davion, Prince of the Federated Suns, 3013

It has always amazed me how the government will instantly respond to a world's call for arms, yet become suddenly deaf and dumb when that same world makes a plea for teachers. If nothing else, it gives us a good idea of where Prince Davion's priorities lie.
-From "A Criticism of the Davion Government's Education Policy", by Baroness Robin DeCaster, Report to the High Council, 3020

Hanse Davion is an excellent politician who knows how to handle his most vocal critics. Take the case of the Baroness DeCaster, who protested so loudly about how poor was the education system. What did Prince Davion do? He made her the Minister of Education! Now she is the one responsible for the government's education policy and she's the one forced to defend herself against the critics. It's a beautiful example of how to handle your opponents.
-From The Political Styles of the Davions, by Thomas Hufill, Galax Political Press, Galax, 3023

It sometimes seems that one is in two different realms when traveling through the Federated Suns. One realm is ultra-sophisticated, with people skeptical and sometimes aggressively hostile to ComStar representatives, whom they view as outright charlatans. The other realm is the primitive Outback, where ComStar has an almost hypnotic sway over citizens who are easily dazzled and easily angered. Before a ComStar representative can prepare for life in the Federated Suns, he must first learn on which Federated Sun he is going to be living.
-Justin Yovas, Precentor of Galax, "Training Guidelines in the Modern Era," ComStar Publications, Terra, 3018