"Admitted. But after he had become King--as he could not fail to do, for a Theodoric could never be the servant of another--the Emperor Anastasius, your uncle Justinus, and, later, you yourself, acknowledged him and his kingdom."
"That was under the pressure of necessity. Now that they are in need, and I the stronger, I revoke that acknowledgment."
"That is exactly what I call unjust."
"You are blunt and disagreeable, Tribonianus, and a tough disputant. You are excellently fitted to compile my pandects. I will never again ask your advice in politics. What has justice to do with politics?"
"Justice, Justinianus, is the best policy."
"Bah! Alexander and Cæsar thought differently."
"But, first, they never completed their work; and, secondly----"
He stopped.
"Well, secondly?"
"Secondly, you are not Cæsar, nor are you Alexander."