--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inclined to peace by his temper and…" description: "\"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 hop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png" --- # Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy… ![“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/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png) > “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.” [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. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Augustus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/augustus/) [Augustus Discover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/augustus-discover-5971615/) [Beneficial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneficial/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Doubtful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubtful/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Easy Augustus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy-augustus-5971614/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Every day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-day/) [Exalted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exalted/) [Inclined Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclined-peace-5068500/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Precarious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precarious/) [Prosecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosecution/) [Rome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rome/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Undertakings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undertakings/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wars Undertaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars-undertaking-5971616/) ## Related quotes > [“but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-relinquish-the-ambitious-design/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/augustus-was-sensible-that-mankind-is-governed-by-names-nor-was-he/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [To resume, in a few words, the system of the Imperial government, as it was instituted by Augustus, and maintained by those princes who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/to-resume-in-a-few-words-the-system-of-the-imperial-government-as-it/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-was-reserved-for-augustus-to-relinquish-the-ambitious-design-of/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Discussing the attempts of Augustus' generals to add to the extent of the Roman Empire early in his reign: The northern countries of Europe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/discussing-the-attempts-of-augustus-generals-to-add-to-the-extent-of/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“Six times during my life has this tomb of my soul led me to the brink of that eternal darkness into which all men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-williams/six-times-during-my-life-has-this-tomb-of-my-soul-led-me-to-the-brink/) [John Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-williams/) > [WHEN AUGUSTUS CAME OUT on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake—not a very big one. 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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/) > [I am in the midst of a soliloquy! I wrote this out and memorized it and if you interrupt me I will completely screw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-am-in-the-midst-of-a-soliloquy-i-wrote-this-out-and-memorized-it/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“When you fear nothing, you have nothing to fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-f-chandler/when-you-fear-nothing-you-have-nothing-to-fear/) [S.F. Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-f-chandler/) > [Christianity has carried civilization along with it, whithersoever it has gone; and, as if to show that the latter does not depend on physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-william-hare/christianity-has-carried-civilization-along-with-it-whithersoever-it/) [Augustus William Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-william-hare/) > [That pipe, just so happens to lead to the room where I make the most delicious flavored chocolate covered fudge." Then he will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/that-pipe-just-so-happens-to-lead-to-the-room-where-i-make-the-most/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by Edward Gibbon > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-heart-to-resolve-a-head-to-contrive-and-a-hand-to-execute/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[In\] the national and religious conflict of the \[Byzantine and Saracen\] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-of-the-byzantine-and-saracen/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Constantinople was the principal seat and fortress of Arianism; and, in a long interval of forty years, the faith of the princes and prelates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/constantinople-was-the-principal-seat-and-fortress-of-arianism-and-in/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-a-man-were-called-to-fix-the-period-in-the-history-of-the-world/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If all the barbarian conquerors had been annihilated in the same hour, their total destruction would not have restored the empire of the West:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-all-the-barbarian-conquerors-had-been-annihilated-in-the-same-hour/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [But the desire of obtaining the advantages, and of escaping the burthens, of political society, is a perpetual and inexhaustible source of discord; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-desire-of-obtaining-the-advantages-and-of-escaping-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[Every\] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and-force-of-the-invader-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The science of the church is neglected for the study of geometry, and they lose sight of Heaven while they are employed in measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-science-of-the-church-is-neglected-for-the-study-of-geometry-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-progress-of-despotism-tends-to-disappoint-its-own-purpose/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/from-the-paths-of-blood-and-such-is-the-history-of-nations-i-cannot/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-nation-of-slaves-is-always-prepared-to-applaud-the-clemency-of/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) [Explore all 399 Edward Gibbon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## More Arms quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. 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Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. 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"I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/) [Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/) [Browse all 4,470 Arms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Gibbon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situation-it-was-easy-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situation-it-was-easy-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for [Augustus] to discover that Rome, in her…” — Edward Gibbon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward Gibbon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Inclined to peace by his temper...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situation-it-was-easy-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situation-it-was-easy-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```