Arms Quote by Edward Gibbon
![“Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for [Augustus] to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.jpg)
“Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for [Augustus] to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event more doubtful, and the possession more precarious and less beneficial.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776
War makes a powerful state vulnerable and fearful, eroding confidence and stability.
In simple terms: War weakens great powers.
Key Takeaway
Avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Themes
politics
war
imperial decline
fear
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
historical
strategic
When to use this quote
- military planning
- foreign policy
- budget allocation
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Historical cycles
strategic risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks does your organization face without conflict?
- How can you balance caution with ambition?
A Different Perspective
Peace can be costly if it breeds complacency.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/338/edward-gibbon-710_byzantine_in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-o_29382.jpg)
![“[Every] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/edward-gibbon-710_delay_every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and_94668.jpg)
