We find that the Romans owed the conquest of the world to no other cause than continual military training, exact observance of discipline in their camps, and unwearied cultivation of the other arts of war.
Publius Flavius Vegetius RenatusRead
Let him who desires peace prepare for war.
Interpretation
To achieve peace, one must be ready and prepared to defend against conflict.
This quote suggests that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but requires active preparation and readiness to confront challenges. It emphasizes the importance of strength and vigilance in maintaining peace, implying that without the willingness to fight for it, peace may be easily undermined.
In practice
During a speech about national security, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of military readiness.
We find that the Romans owed the conquest of the world to no other cause than continual military training, exact observance of discipline in their camps, and unwearied cultivation of the other arts of war.
Few men are born brave. Many become so through training and force of discipline.
Experience is the name so many people give to their mistakes.
The future is carved out of the present moment. Tomorrow's harvest depends upon today's ploughing and sowing.
Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional.
When you have those two languages - an analytic one like English and a synthetic, very sensual thing like Russian, you get almost a psychotic sense of humanity that permeates nearly everything. It can help you understand, and it can discourage you, because you see how little can be done.
I'm no fan of Sarkozy, but I support a ban on face veils because they erase women from society and are promoted by an ultra-conservative ideology that equates piety with the disappearance of women.
If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing slowly ... very slowly.
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