--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: but it was reserved for Augustus to…" description: "\"“but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into the publ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/edward-gibbon-710_augustus_but-it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-reli_1426848.png" --- # but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the… ![“but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into the public councils. Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for him to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/edward-gibbon-710_augustus_but-it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-reli_1426848.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/edward-gibbon-710_augustus_but-it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-reli_1426848.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/edward-gibbon-710_augustus_but-it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-reli_1426848.png) > ““but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into the public councils. Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for him 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.”” [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Augustus chose moderation over conquest, recognizing that Rome’s power made war riskier and less rewarding than peace. **In simple terms:** He preferred peace, seeing war as costly and uncertain. Key Takeaway Embrace moderation in leadership. Themes leadership moderation imperial policy war and peace Mood reflective analytical Type historical political philosophical When to use this quote - government decision making - military planning - foreign policy - public council deliberations Key Concepts Roman history political strategy risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders balance ambition with prudence? - When is restraint more beneficial than expansion? 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Please close the door and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/ma-am-augustus-said-nodding-toward-her-your-daughter-s-car-has-just/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus "Gus" McCrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-mcmurtry/a-man-who-wouldn-t-cheat-for-a-poke-don-t-want-one-bad-enough/) [Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mcmurtry/) > [“As quick as boiled asparagus!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-graves/as-quick-as-boiled-asparagus/) [Robert Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-graves/) > [WHEN AUGUSTUS CAME OUT on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake—not a very big one. 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