Glory Is Fleeting

General George S. Patton Jr. on the limits of glory:
“For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph – a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning: That all glory is fleeting.”
< http://www.moviequotedb.com/movies/patton/quote_17220.html >
[George Patton was fond of saying “all glory is fleeting” but there is no evidence that these words read by Patton in the voiceover at the conclusion of the movie Patton were an exact quote. The most likely origin of the saying “all glory is fleeting” is from a loose translation of the Latin “Sic transit gloria mundi”, literally “Thus passes the glory of the world”. See < https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111226024755AAi9ucj >]

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Similar quotes from < http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=391692 >:

“In ancient Rome generals and emperors who had won a great victory over one of Rome’s enemies received on their return a triumphal procession through the city’s streets. In the procession were slaves and captives, carts loaded with plunder, ranks of marching soldiers and jaunty cavalry…

Always in this triumph a slave stood in the chariot behind the victorious general. Over the general’s head he held a garland of laurel, signifying victory. Into the general’s ear the slave repeatedly whispered a caveat: ‘All glory is fleeting. All glory is fleeting.”

Smoky Mountain News : Roman Caveat
< http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/11_02/11_06_02/op_roman_caveat_minick.html >

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“A Roman Triumph was a ceremony of the ancient Rome to publicly honor the military commander (Dux) of a notably successful foreign war or campaigns. Only men of senatorial or consular rank could perform a triumph and be a triumphator…

The ceremony consisted of a spectacular parade, opened by the chiefs of conquered peoples (afterwards executed in the Tarquinium), followed by wagons of gold and other valuable spoils captured during the campaign (including slaves), musicians, dancers, flags drawn with scenes of the war, the legions and finally the dux. It was a concrete exhibit of the spoils brought to the patrimony of Senatus PopulusQue Romanus (S.P.Q.R.).

The triumphator rode on a biga , a chariot pulled by two white horses. A slave behind the triumphator held a laurel crown over his head (not touching it). Notably, this slave had to repeat continuously ‘Memento homo.’ (Remember you are mortal).”

Wikipedia: Roman Triumph
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_triumph >