--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Battles against Rome have been lost and…" description: "\"“Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but hope was never abandoned, since we were always here in reserve. We, the choicest flower of Bri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/tacitus-1552_alba-gu-brath_battles-against-rome-have-been-lost-and_2227373.jpg" --- # Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but… ![“Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but hope was never abandoned, since we were always here in reserve. We, the choicest flower of Britain's manhood, were hidden away in her most secret places. Out of sight of subject shores, we kept even our eyes free from the defilement of…” quote by Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/tacitus-1552_alba-gu-brath_battles-against-rome-have-been-lost-and_2227373.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/tacitus-1552_alba-gu-brath_battles-against-rome-have-been-lost-and_2227373.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/tacitus-1552_alba-gu-brath_battles-against-rome-have-been-lost-and_2227373.jpg) > ““Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but hope was never abandoned, since we were always here in reserve. We, the choicest flower of Britain's manhood, were hidden away in her most secret places. Out of sight of subject shores, we kept even our eyes free from the defilement of tyranny. We, the most distant dwellers upon earth, the last of the free, have been shielded till today by our very remoteness and by the obscurity in which it has shrouded our name. Now, the farthest bounds of Britain lie open to our enemies; and what men know nothing about they always assume to be a valuable prize… A rich enemy excites their cupidity; a poor one, their lust for power. East and West alike have failed to satisfy them. They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government'; they create a desolation and call it peace...”” [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes Britain's remote resilience against empire, emphasizing that isolation and obscurity have protected its freedom, while warning that wealth and poverty alike tempt conquest. **In simple terms:** Isolation has shielded Britain, but greed threatens all. Key Takeaway Recognize the double‑edged nature of wealth and poverty. Themes history imperialism national identity Mood reflective cautious Type historical political When to use this quote - colonial studies - foreign policy - strategic planning Key Concepts geopolitics resource competition cultural resilience Questions to Reflect On - How does isolation affect national security? - What lessons can be drawn about wealth and power? A Different Perspective Historical context may differ from modern realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [East and west](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/east-and-west/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Lust for power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lust-for-power/) [Scotland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scotland/) ## Related quotes > [“But there are no more nations beyond us; nothing is there but waves and rocks, and the Romans, more deadly still than these -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/but-there-are-no-more-nations-beyond-us-nothing-is-there-but-waves/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“Do they this often?” Kassandra asked, unable to draw her eyes from the men. “Often enough,” Joanna replied softly. “They are superb, are they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/do-they-this-often-kassandra-asked-unable-to-draw-her-eyes-from-the/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) > [Even during the period when Rome lost much of her ancient prestige, an Indian traveler observed that trade all over the world was operated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-einzig/even-during-the-period-when-rome-lost-much-of-her-ancient-prestige-an/) Paul Einzig > [“On July 6, he gave a speech to newspaper and television executives at the great columned building housing the National Archives and the original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-weiner/on-july-6-he-gave-a-speech-to-newspaper-and-television-executives-at/) [Tim Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-weiner/) > [They make a desolation and call it peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-make-a-desolation-and-call-it-peace/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The landscape artist had captured a distant prospect of an ancient hillside, surmounted by cyprus and a few tumbled columns; the mood was one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-barron/the-landscape-artist-had-captured-a-distant-prospect-of-an-ancient/) [Stephanie Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-barron/) > [“They create desolation and call it peace There”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/they-create-desolation-and-call-it-peace-there/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [They create a desolation and call it peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calgacus/they-create-a-desolation-and-call-it-peace/) Calgacus > [The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-lust-for-power-for-dominating-others-inflames-the-heart-more-than/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“And each and every one, it seems, falls to stagnation, and in that stagnation evil men rise, through greed or lust for power. Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-salvatore/and-each-and-every-one-it-seems-falls-to-stagnation-and-in-that/) [R.A. Salvatore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-salvatore/) > [“There are six canons of conservative thought: 1) Belief in a transcendent order, or body of natural law, which rules society as well as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-kirk/there-are-six-canons-of-conservative-thought-1-belief-in-a/) [Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-kirk/) > [The State acquires power... and because of its insatiable lust for power it is incapable of giving up any of it. The State never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-chodorov/the-state-acquires-power-and-because-of-its-insatiable-lust-for-power/) [Frank Chodorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-chodorov/) > [We are living in a sex mad world. A world in which is polluted with pornography and profanity, a world of corruption and perverseness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sessah-odai-sadick/we-are-living-in-a-sex-mad-world-a-world-in-which-is-polluted-with/) [Sessah-Odai Sadick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sessah-odai-sadick/) > [“We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister. “Pride?” Catelyn snapped. His mocking tone and easy manner made her angry. “Arrogance, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/we-lannisters-do-have-a-certain-pride-said-tyrion-lannister-pride/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“If anyone rises to power, it's not only because he could, but also because the stars were aligned in his favor. Many with apparent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/if-anyone-rises-to-power-it-s-not-only-because-he-could-but-also/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) ## More by Tacitus > [Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/benefits-received-are-a-delight-to-us-as-long-as-we-think-we-can/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/rumor-does-not-always-err-it-sometimes-even-elects-a-man/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [ None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it \[a death\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-than-those-who-most-rejoice-at-it-a/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/so-true-is-it-that-all-transactions-of-preeminent-importance-are/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/be-assured-those-will-be-thy-worst-enemies-not-to-whom-thou-hast-done/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Christianity is a pestilent superstition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/christianity-is-a-pestilent-superstition/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/indeed-the-crowning-proof-of-their-valour-and-their-strength-is-that/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/formerly-we-suffered-from-crimes-now-we-suffer-from-laws/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [ None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it \[a death\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-over-the-death-of-germanicus-than/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/once-killing-starts-it-is-difficult-to-draw-the-line/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-lust-of-dominion-burns-with-a-flame-so-fierce-as-to-overpower-all/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-a-principle-of-nature-to-hate-those-whom-you-have-injured/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/kindness-so-far-as-we-can-return-it-is-agreeable/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Posterity gives every man his true value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/posterity-gives-every-man-his-true-value/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-most-detestable-race-of-enemies-are-flatterers/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) [Explore all 227 Tacitus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) ## More East and west quotes > [In a compass, we got north, south, east and west, right? But in between that, you got things like north-east - now that, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-the-chicago-kid/in-a-compass-we-got-north-south-east-and-west-right-but-in-between/) [BJ the Chicago Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-the-chicago-kid/) > [“Rolanth Temple is a weather queen's temple, open to the east and west, the roof supported by beams and thick marble columns. Air moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendare-blake/rolanth-temple-is-a-weather-queen-s-temple-open-to-the-east-and-west/) [Kendare Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendare-blake/) > [The idea that there is a difference between East and West is nonsense. You both hand over your card with two hands. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-tang/the-idea-that-there-is-a-difference-between-east-and-west-is-nonsense/) [David Tang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-tang/) > [In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-sky-there-is-no-distinction-of-east-and-west-people-create/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All your names I and my friend approve of or nearly all as to sense & expression, but I am frightened by their length…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-faraday/all-your-names-i-and-my-friend-approve-of-or-nearly-all-as-to-sense/) [Michael Faraday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-faraday/) > [“As part of this research, one group of participants was asked which two countries are more similar to one another, East Germany and West…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gilovich/as-part-of-this-research-one-group-of-participants-was-asked-which/) [Thomas Gilovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gilovich/) > [“I always found in myself a dread of west and love of east. Where I ever got such an idea I cannot say, unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-always-found-in-myself-a-dread-of-west-and-love-of-east-where-i/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The most important principle of divine philosophy is the oneness of the world of humanity, the unity of mankind, the bond conjoining East and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/the-most-important-principle-of-divine-philosophy-is-the-oneness-of/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [“When my father was a young man, during the years of the First World War and long before there was any inkling of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/when-my-father-was-a-young-man-during-the-years-of-the-first-world/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [“The Intelligence Services of East and West have given Europe over fifty years of peace - the longest the Continent has ever known. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-wolf/the-intelligence-services-of-east-and-west-have-given-europe-over/) [Markus Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-wolf/) > [If once again Germany destabilizes Europe, then Germany will be not be divided again, but wiped off the map. East and West have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/if-once-again-germany-destabilizes-europe-then-germany-will-be-not-be/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [We must strive to encourage East and West not only to move towards each other but also to encourage them to find a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nursultan-nazarbayev/we-must-strive-to-encourage-east-and-west-not-only-to-move-towards/) [Nursultan Nazarbayev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nursultan-nazarbayev/) > [One of the dreams of Zionism was to be a bridge. Instead, we are creating exclusion between the East and the West instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-b-yehoshua/one-of-the-dreams-of-zionism-was-to-be-a-bridge-instead-we-are/) [A. B. Yehoshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-b-yehoshua/) > [Culture is mix. Culture means a mix of things from other sources. And my town, Istanbul, was this kind of mix. Istanbul, in fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/culture-is-mix-culture-means-a-mix-of-things-from-other-sources-and/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I inhale great draught of space...the east and west are mine...and the north and south are mine...I am grandeur than I thought...I did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/i-inhale-great-draught-of-space-the-east-and-west-are-mine-and-the/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) [Browse all 185 East and west quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/east-and-west/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Battles against Rome have been lost and won before, but hope was never abandoned, since we were always here in reserve. We, the choicest flower of Britain's manhood, were hidden away in her most secret places. Out of sight of subject shores, we kept even our eyes free from the defilement of tyranny. We, the most distant dwellers upon earth, the last of the free, have been shielded till today by our very remoteness and by the obscurity in which it has shrouded our name. Now, the farthest bounds of Britain lie open to our enemies; and what men know nothing about they always assume to be a valuable prize… A rich enemy excites their cupidity; a poor one, their lust for power. East and West alike have failed to satisfy them. They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. 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