It must be thoroughly understood that war is a necessity, and that the more readily we accept it, the less will be the ardor of our opponents, and th… - Thucydides

However well off a man may be in his private life, he will still be involved in the general ruin if his country is destroyed; whereas, so long as the state itself is secure, individuals have a much greater chance of recovering from their private misfortunes.

The absence of romance in my history will, I fear, detract somewhat from its interest; but if it be judged useful by those inquirers who desire an exact knowledge of the past as an aid to the interpretation of the future, which in the course of human things must resemble if it does not reflect it, I shall be content. In fine, I have written my work, not as an essay which is to win the applause of the moment, but as a possession for all time.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.