It's only a slight modification of causality.

“Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune!" I cried with all the venom of Charlton Heston…”

“Am I not a fearsome enemy?""You frighten me primally.”

“You don't need to say any special incantation or sacrifice a stray cat or somet…”

“Usually I try to suppress any emotions that savor of regret, because they are i…”