--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: War should neither be feared nor provoked." description: "\"War should neither be feared nor provoked.\" — Pliny the Elder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/pliny-the-elder-2838_fear_war-should-neither-be-feared-nor-provoke_2907596.png" --- # War should neither be feared nor provoked. ![“War should neither be feared nor provoked.” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/pliny-the-elder-2838_fear_war-should-neither-be-feared-nor-provoke_2907596.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/pliny-the-elder-2838_fear_war-should-neither-be-feared-nor-provoke_2907596.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/pliny-the-elder-2838_fear_war-should-neither-be-feared-nor-provoke_2907596.png) > “War should neither be feared nor provoked.” [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War is a natural human conflict that should not be feared nor provoked, suggesting a balanced stance toward conflict. **In simple terms:** War should be approached calmly, not with fear or provocation. Key Takeaway Maintain composure and avoid unnecessary aggression. Themes conflict philosophy temperance Mood reflective serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - political negotiations - personal disputes - military strategy Key Concepts Stoicism pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - How can one discern when to engage or avoid conflict? - What risks arise from ignoring threats? A Different Perspective Fear can lead to escalation; calm assessment may be unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared/) [Feared Provoked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared-provoked-4169059/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Provoked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provoked/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-feared-3911469/) ## Related quotes > [Fortune had favoured me in this war that I feared, the rather, that some tempest would follow so favourable a gale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/fortune-had-favoured-me-in-this-war-that-i-feared-the-rather-that/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I not only saw the possibility of nuclear war, I feared it very much. 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