--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civil strife is as much a greater evil…" description: "\"Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.\" — Herodotus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg" --- # Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted… ![“Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg) > “Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.” [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civil unrest can be more damaging than war, and war can be worse than peace. **In simple terms:** Internal conflict can exceed war’s harm. Key Takeaway Seek stability over conflict. Themes conflict war peace Mood reflective serious Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - Nation‑building - revolution - peace negotiations - civil rights movements Key Concepts Political theory history Questions to Reflect On - When is war justified? - How to prevent civil strife? A Different Perspective Peace can be fragile; war may be necessary for change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil Strife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-strife-2570224/) [Concerted War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerted-war-3090211/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Strife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strife/) [Strife Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strife-greater-3090209/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-worse-302853/) [Worse Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-peace-3090210/) ## Related quotes > [After the assassination of my wife, our nation was perilously close to civil strife. If I, as the co-chairman of the Party, had asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asif-ali-zardari/after-the-assassination-of-my-wife-our-nation-was-perilously-close-to/) [Asif Ali Zardari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asif-ali-zardari/) > [I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-houston/i-love-texas-too-well-to-bring-civil-strife-and-bloodshed-upon-her/) [Sam Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-houston/) > [“Do you understand, Jakob?” the apothecary whispered. “This isn’t war; this is worse. The war was fought according to bloody rules, but faith is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-p-tzsch/do-you-understand-jakob-the-apothecary-whispered-this-isn-t-war-this/) [Oliver Pötzsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-p-tzsch/) > [The Enlightenment faith that things are getting a little bit better each decade becomes difficult to support. People recognized that there had just been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-jennings/the-enlightenment-faith-that-things-are-getting-a-little-bit-better/) [Christine Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-jennings/) > [The fear of war is worse than war itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-fear-of-war-is-worse-than-war-itself/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/war-is-an-ugly-thing-but-not-the-ugliest-of-things-the-decayed-and-4/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [“How big a war?" "A worse one than the one fifty years ago, I expect," said Cheery. "I don't recall people talking about that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/how-big-a-war-a-worse-one-than-the-one-fifty-years-ago-i-expect-said/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/war-is-an-ugly-thing-but-not-the-ugliest-of-things-the-decayed-and-3/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [I think the Cold War was worse for Africa than colonialism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-ibrahim/i-think-the-cold-war-was-worse-for-africa-than-colonialism/) [Mo Ibrahim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-ibrahim/) > [“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/war-is-an-ugly-thing-but-not-the-ugliest-of-things-the-decayed-and-2/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [“I have seen something of the horrors of war, and much too much of the worse horrors of peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/i-have-seen-something-of-the-horrors-of-war-and-much-too-much-of-the/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [Watch yourself with all diligence, lest the enemy steals near and robs you, depriving you of this great treasure, which is inner peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/watch-yourself-with-all-diligence-lest-the-enemy-steals-near-and-robs/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/patience-is-necessary-in-this-life-because-so-much-of-life-is-fraught/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [A tribe, let us say, is warlike. The successes for which it strives, the achievements upon which it sets store, are connected with fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-tribe-let-us-say-is-warlike-the-successes-for-which-it-strives-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## More by Herodotus > [Haste in every business brings failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/haste-in-every-business-brings-failures/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [A real friend ... exults in his friend’s happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/a-real-friend-exults-in-his-friend-s-happiness-rejoices-in-all-his/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/some-men-give-up-their-designs-when-they-have-almost-reached-the-goal/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [I know that human happiness never remains long in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/i-know-that-human-happiness-never-remains-long-in-the-same-place/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Happiness is not fame or riches or heroic virtues, but a state that will inspire posterity to think in reflecting upon our life, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/happiness-is-not-fame-or-riches-or-heroic-virtues-but-a-state-that/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/but-i-like-not-these-great-success-of-yours-for-i-know-how-jealous/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/knowledge-may-give-weight-but-accomplishments-give-lustre-and-many/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/very-few-things-happen-at-the-right-time-and-the-rest-do-not-happen/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [ They \[the Persians\] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/they-the-persians-are-accustomed-to-deliberate-on-matters-of-the/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/circumstances-rule-men-men-do-not-rule-circumstances/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/to-think-well-and-to-consent-to-obey-someone-giving-good-advice-are/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/unless-a-variety-of-opinions-are-laid-before-us-we-have-no/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/of-all-possessions-a-friend-is-the-most-precious/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/those-who-are-guided-by-reason-are-generally-successful-in-their/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [The gods loves to punish whatever is greater than the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/the-gods-loves-to-punish-whatever-is-greater-than-the-rest/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) [Explore all 145 Herodotus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## More Effort quotes > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [Now I try to make efforts, you know, I'm just, the best effort I can do is just stay sober myself. I can at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dick/now-i-try-to-make-efforts-you-know-i-m-just-the-best-effort-i-can-do/) [Andy Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dick/) > [Reading counts as partying, even if you're not enjoying it! Even if someone's forcing you to read, you can find a way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-w-k/reading-counts-as-partying-even-if-you-re-not-enjoying-it-even-if/) [Andrew W.K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-w-k/) > [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [All efforts to render politics aesthetic culminate in one thing: war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-efforts-to-render-politics-aesthetic-culminate-in-one-thing-war/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Im tired, tired of putting more effort than you do. Im tired of always having to start the conversation and if I dont, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-tired-tired-of-putting-more-effort-than-you-do-im-tired-of-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I love a pocket. I'm about helping women look as good as possible on the least amount of effort. I want versatility and comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/i-love-a-pocket-i-m-about-helping-women-look-as-good-as-possible-on/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [I have often spoken of integrity as the most important of these values, realizing that integrity – and personal integrity, at that – is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verghese-kurien/i-have-often-spoken-of-integrity-as-the-most-important-of-these/) [Verghese Kurien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verghese-kurien/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [“Dreams will come true as long as you give some effort towards your goal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayana/dreams-will-come-true-as-long-as-you-give-some-effort-towards-your/) [Dayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dayana/) > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) [Browse all 8,602 Effort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herodotus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-than-a-concerted-war-effort-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Effort" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-than-a-concerted-war-effort-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de3/herodotus-2844_effort_civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-t_2749813.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.” — Herodotus", "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": "Herodotus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Civil strife is as much a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-than-a-concerted-war-effort-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/civil-strife-is-as-much-a-greater-evil-than-a-concerted-war-effort-as/#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 } } ] } ```