They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in…
““They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger . . . they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor. . . . They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace. —Tacitus, Roman senator and historian1””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Powerful critique of imperialism: greed and ambition drive conquest, leaving devastation masked as peace.
In simple terms: Greed fuels destructive empire building.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind so.
Themes
power
greed
imperialism
violence
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- environmental policy
- social justice
Key Concepts
political theory
historical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from labeling war as peace?
- How can societies resist such greed?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may differ; quote may be misattributed.