Ideas quick-march into motion like battalions of a grand army to its legendary fighting ground, and the battle rages. Memories charge in, bright flags on high; the cavalry of metaphor deploys with a magnificent gallop; the artillery of logic rushes up with clattering wagons and cartridges; flashes of wit pop up like sharpshooters; forms and shapes and characters rear up; the paper is spread with ink.

– Honore de Balzac