You may be sure that we are as well aware as you of the…
““You may be sure that we are as well aware as you of the difficulty of contending against your power and fortune, unless the terms be equal. But we trust that the gods may grant us fortune as good as yours, since we are just men fighting against unjust, and that what we want in power will be made up by the alliance of the Lacedaemonians, who are bound, if only for very shame, to come to the aid of their kindred. Our confidence, therefore, after all is not so utterly irrational. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker argues that despite unequal power, they seek divine favor and alliances to counteract injustice, asserting their confidence is not irrational.
In simple terms: They hope for luck and allies to balance unfair power.
Key Takeaway
Seek fair alliances and accept uncertainty.
Themes
politics
justice
confidence
alliances
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- war strategy
- diplomacy
- seeking support
- balancing odds
Key Concepts
realpolitik
divine providence
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when power is uneven?
- Can alliances truly offset injustice?
A Different Perspective
Assumes gods will intervene, which may be unreliable.