Dogs in a pack find courage to take on a lion. Each hound knows his place. He fears the dog ranked above and feeds off the fear of the dog below. Fear conquers fear. This is how we Spartans do it, counterpoising to fear of death a greater fear: that of dishonor. Of exclusion from the pack.
-Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
The mind is like a house with many rooms... There are rooms one must not go into. To anticipate one's death is one of those rooms. We must not allow ourselves even to think it.
-Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire