He stood erect—as a peg top does so long as the whip keeps lashing it. He was modest—thanks to a robust conviction of his own superiority. He was unambitious—all he wanted was a life free from cares, and he took more pleasure in the failures of others than in his own successes. He saved his life by never risking it—and complained that he was misunderstood.

DAG HAMMARsKJÖLD, Markings