You are right.

Many a time I have used to myself almost those very words.

When I was young--how old I feel!--I looked forward to a life full of achievements.

I felt capable of great things.

But in our time, what can we do, we who are born Romans, yet have never learnt to lead an army or to govern a state ?' He let his arm fall despondently, and sank again into brooding silence.
At root, Basil's was a healthy and vigorous nature.