Aversion Quote by Edward Gibbon
![“[Peace] cannot be honorable or secure, if the sovereign betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/05d/edward-gibbon-710_aversion_peace-cannot-be-honorable-or-secure-if-t_2550333.jpg)
“[Peace] cannot be honorable or secure, if the sovereign betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776
A state cannot be honorable or safe if its leader avoids war out of cowardice.
In simple terms: Leaders must confront war, not hide from it.
Key Takeaway
Avoid cowardly avoidance of conflict.
Themes
honor
security
leadership
Mood
critical
serious
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- military strategy
- national security
Key Concepts
political theory
war ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is war justified?
- How does fear influence governance?
A Different Perspective
War avoidance can be seen as weakness, not strength.
![“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)
