"It becomes an emperor to die standing (i.e., "in harness"). [Lat., Decet imperatorem statem mori.]"

Previous Quote

In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank whom the emperor loved more than any of the others. The grand ladies with high ambitions thought her a presumptuous upstart, and lesser ladies were still more resentful. Everything she did offended someone.

— Murasaki Shikibu