Byzantine Greek Speaks Of The West (Latins)

" Between us and them (the Latins) is set the widest gulf. We are poles apart . We have not a single thought in common. They are stiff-necked, with a proud affectation of an upright carriage and love to sneer at the modesty and smoothness of our manners. But we look upon their arrogance and boasting and pride as a flux of the snivel which keeps their noses in the air and we tread them down by the might of Christ, who giveth unto us the power to trample upon the adder and the scorpion" -- NIKETAS CHONIATES


SOURCE: "O City Of Byzantium--Annals of Niketas Choniates" translated by H.J. Magoulias , Detroit , 1984.