--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is vain to look for a defense against…" description: "\"It is vain to look for a defense against lightning.\" — Publilius Syrus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png" --- # It is vain to look for a defense against lightning. ![“It is vain to look for a defense against lightning.” quote by Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png) > “It is vain to look for a defense against lightning.” [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to protect against inevitable forces is futile; accept nature's power rather than futile resistance. **In simple terms:** Can't shield against lightning. Key Takeaway Accept what cannot be controlled. Themes acceptance nature futility resilience Mood cautious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - storm safety - life planning - emotional coping Key Concepts philosophical stoicism risk management Questions to Reflect On - What risks can you mitigate realistically? - How do you balance acceptance with preparation? A Different Perspective Some defenses may reduce impact even if not fully preventable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lightning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lightning/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) ## Related quotes > [I care about being formally physically attractive in my life, and I think that I am quite vain about my performance. I'm just not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-danes/i-care-about-being-formally-physically-attractive-in-my-life-and-i/) [Claire Danes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-danes/) > [With every look I can get and every defense I play against I get more experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cassel/with-every-look-i-can-get-and-every-defense-i-play-against-i-get-more/) [Matt Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cassel/) > [If you allow failure to take on more of a role in your life than possible, then you'll always look at it on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharrell-williams/if-you-allow-failure-to-take-on-more-of-a-role-in-your-life-than/) [Pharrell Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharrell-williams/) > [...it is a base thing to look to others for your defense instead of depending upon yourself. That defense alone is effectual, sure, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-a-base-thing-to-look-to-others-for-your-defense-instead-of/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is in vain to look for the elevation of woman so long as she is degraded in marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/it-is-in-vain-to-look-for-the-elevation-of-woman-so-long-as-she-is/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [I'm a proud person. I'm not vain. I look at it like it is. If you've got the money and you're going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-m-a-proud-person-i-m-not-vain-i-look-at-it-like-it-is-if-you-ve-got/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [And if you find everything as soon as you look for it, you find it in vain, you look for it in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/and-if-you-find-everything-as-soon-as-you-look-for-it-you-find-it-in/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [“Don't be vain. What you look like doesn't matter. It's the deed that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/don-t-be-vain-what-you-look-like-doesn-t-matter-it-s-the-deed-that/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [Your body is like a dew-drop on the morning grass, your life is as brief as a flash of lightning. Momentary and vain, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/your-body-is-like-a-dew-drop-on-the-morning-grass-your-life-is-as/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I really got struck by lightning when it came to my decision to leave WWE. If I literally think about that day and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-rhodes/i-really-got-struck-by-lightning-when-it-came-to-my-decision-to-leave/) [Cody Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-rhodes/) > [A mere nothing suffices — and the lightning strikes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-mere-nothing-suffices-and-the-lightning-strikes/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [I have been much amused at ye singular phenomena resulting from bringing of a needle into contact with a piece of amber or resin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/i-have-been-much-amused-at-ye-singular-phenomena-resulting-from/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-was-a-wild-light-in-his-eyes-bring-your-lightnings-aes-sedai-i/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [We always expect tremendous criticism. It is my role to be the lightning rod ... to attract the attacks against the organization for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/we-always-expect-tremendous-criticism-it-is-my-role-to-be-the/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [ “Even when lightning flashes inside them \[clouds\], we say they are only clouds and turn our attention to the next meal, next pain, next… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-sheldon/even-when-lightning-flashes-inside-them-clouds-we-say-they-are-only/) [Sidney Sheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-sheldon/) ## More by Publilius Syrus > [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The coward regards himself as cautious, the miser as thrifty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-coward-regards-himself-as-cautious-the-miser-as-thrifty/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [It is his nature, not his standing, that makes the good man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-his-nature-not-his-standing-that-makes-the-good-man/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [It is more tolerable to be refused than deceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-more-tolerable-to-be-refused-than-deceived/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Modesty once lost, never returns into favour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/modesty-once-lost-never-returns-into-favour/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [One ungrateful person does an injury to all needy people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/one-ungrateful-person-does-an-injury-to-all-needy-people/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [He has existed only, not lived, who lacks wisdom in old age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-has-existed-only-not-lived-who-lacks-wisdom-in-old-age/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Any plan is bad which is incapable of modification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/any-plan-is-bad-which-is-incapable-of-modification/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The evil you do to others you may expect in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-evil-you-do-to-others-you-may-expect-in-return/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The power of habit is very strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-power-of-habit-is-very-strong/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Take care that no one hates you justly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/take-care-that-no-one-hates-you-justly/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Poverty wants much; but avarice, everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/poverty-wants-much-but-avarice-everything/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [He who has plenty of pepper will pepper his cabbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-who-has-plenty-of-pepper-will-pepper-his-cabbage/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Hasty conclusions lead to speedy repentance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/hasty-conclusions-lead-to-speedy-repentance/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [When reason rules, money is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/when-reason-rules-money-is-a-blessing/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) [Explore all 455 Publilius Syrus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) ## More Defense quotes > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [My last defense / Is the present tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-brooks/my-last-defense-is-the-present-tense/) [Gwendolyn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-brooks/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say I have a bad attitude. But have you ever stopped to check yours?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-marie/you-say-i-have-a-bad-attitude-but-have-you-ever-stopped-to-check-yours/) Tasha Marie > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy. You've got to release six, eight, ten years back tax returns. Take the hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/he-should-release-the-tax-returns-tomorrow-it-s-crazy-you-ve-got-to/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) Browse all 2,426 Defense quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is vain to look for a defense against lightning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Publilius Syrus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against-lightning/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defense" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against-lightning/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/publilius-syrus-594_defense_it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against_3128154.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is vain to look for a defense against lightning.” — Publilius Syrus", "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": "Publilius Syrus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is vain to look for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against-lightning/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-vain-to-look-for-a-defense-against-lightning/#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 } } ] } ```