--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And do not imagine that what we are…" description: "\"“And do not imagine that what we are fighting for is simply the question of freedom or slavery: there is also involved the loss of our empire and the d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/thucydides-2578_freedom_and-do-not-imagine-that-what-we-are-figh_2921420.jpg" --- # And do not imagine that what we are fighting for is simply… ![“And do not imagine that what we are fighting for is simply the question of freedom or slavery: there is also involved the loss of our empire and the dangers arising from the hatred which we have incurred in administering it. Nor is it any longer possible for you to give up this empire, though…” quote by Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/thucydides-2578_freedom_and-do-not-imagine-that-what-we-are-figh_2921420.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/thucydides-2578_freedom_and-do-not-imagine-that-what-we-are-figh_2921420.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/thucydides-2578_freedom_and-do-not-imagine-that-what-we-are-figh_2921420.jpg) > ““And do not imagine that what we are fighting for is simply the question of freedom or slavery: there is also involved the loss of our empire and the dangers arising from the hatred which we have incurred in administering it. Nor is it any longer possible for you to give up this empire, though there may be some people who in a mood of sudden panic and in a spirit of political apathy actually think that this would be a fine and noble thing to do. Your empire is now like a tyranny: it may have been wrong to take it; it is certainly dangerous to let it go.”” [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The loss of empire brings danger and moral decay; abandoning it may be worse than keeping a flawed power. **In simple terms:** Losing empire is dangerous; keeping it also has risks. Key Takeaway Weigh moral costs before relinquishing power. Themes power morality imperialism Mood serious reflective Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - government policy - military strategy - colonial withdrawal Key Concepts ethical dilemma political responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do leaders have when ending empire? - Can a flawed empire ever be just? A Different Perspective Complexities of empire loss are often oversimplified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empire Dangers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empire-dangers-4258963/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-slavery-279174/) [Loss Empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss-empire-1842548/) [Question Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-freedom-700590/) [Tyranny Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny-wrong-428090/) ## Related quotes > [The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-question-before-the-house-is-one-of-awful-moment-to-this-country/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Compromise, hell! That's what has happened to us all down the line -- and that's the very cause of our woes. 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