--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: concessions to adversaries only end in…" description: "\"concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security.\" — Thucydides" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png" --- # concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and… ![“concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security.” quote by Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png) > “concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security.” [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. Avoiding concessions to enemies may feel safe, but it can lead to guilt and reduced security. **In simple terms:** Avoiding concessions can cause guilt and insecurity. Key Takeaway Balance firmness with strategic compromise. Themes politics ethics security Mood cautious thoughtful Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - diplomacy - conflict resolution - leadership decisions Key Concepts realpolitik moral psychology Questions to Reflect On - When is a concession strategic? - How does guilt affect decision‑making? A Different Perspective Rigid avoidance may miss chances for peace. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) [Adversaries End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries-end-4558975/) [Avoided](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoided/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Concessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concessions/) [Concessions Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concessions-adversaries-4558974/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Reproach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproach/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Reproach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-reproach-3985893/) [Strictly Avoided](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strictly-avoided-4558976/) ## Related quotes > [“There is a luxury in self-reproach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/there-is-a-luxury-in-self-reproach/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [What is guilt? It is moral self-reproach-I did wrong when it was possible to have done otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/what-is-guilt-it-is-moral-self-reproach-i-did-wrong-when-it-was/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [There is no wretchedness like self-reproach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/there-is-no-wretchedness-like-self-reproach/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) > [There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel no one else has a right to blame us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/there-is-a-luxury-in-self-reproach-when-we-blame-ourselves-we-feel-no/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/there-is-a-luxury-in-self-reproach-when-we-blame-ourselves-we-feel/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [It is a general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well, and look up to those who make no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/it-is-a-general-rule-of-human-nature-that-people-despise-those-who/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/he-passes-through-life-most-securely-who-has-least-reason-to-reproach/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [If we are to reach a situation of true peace, real peace, peace for generations, we will have to make painful concessions. Not in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/if-we-are-to-reach-a-situation-of-true-peace-real-peace-peace-for/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [The division of the spoils between the victors will also provide employment for a powerful office, whose doorsteps the greedy adventurers and jealous concession…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/the-division-of-the-spoils-between-the-victors-will-also-provide/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [In a contest with a weaker party it is more honorable to yield than to force concession. Magnanimity becomes the strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/in-a-contest-with-a-weaker-party-it-is-more-honorable-to-yield-than/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [I make no concessions to conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/i-make-no-concessions-to-conformism/) [Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/) > [We accept it as normal that people who have never been on the land, who have no history or connection to the country, may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wade-davis/we-accept-it-as-normal-that-people-who-have-never-been-on-the-land/) [Wade Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wade-davis/) > [We need only think of the number of talented men who sooner or later make their apologies and concessions to philistinism, so as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-brandes/we-need-only-think-of-the-number-of-talented-men-who-sooner-or-later/) [Georg Brandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-brandes/) > [It is not a process of bargaining or give-and-take. The peace process is not about giving concessions. We will not allow any step which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/it-is-not-a-process-of-bargaining-or-give-and-take-the-peace-process/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) ## More by Thucydides > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/be-convinced-that-to-be-happy-means-to-be-free-and-that-to-be-free/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [It is the habit of mankind to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/it-is-the-habit-of-mankind-to-entrust-to-careless-hope-what-they-long/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/boasting-and-bravado-may-exist-in-the-breast-even-of-the-coward-if-he/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/contempt-for-an-assailant-is-best-shown-by-bravery-in-action/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [The secret of happiness is freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/the-secret-of-happiness-is-freedom/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/and-it-is-certain-that-those-who-do-not-yield-to-their-equals-who/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/the-strong-do-what-they-have-to-do-and-the-weak-accept-what-they-have/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/it-is-useless-to-attack-men-who-could-not-be-controlled-even-if/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse… Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/war-is-an-evil-thing-but-to-submit-to-the-dictation-of-other-states/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Men do not rest content with parrying the attacks of a superior, but often strike the first blow to prevent the attack being made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/men-do-not-rest-content-with-parrying-the-attacks-of-a-superior-but/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [As for democracy, the men of sense among us knew what it was, and I perhaps as well as any, as I have more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/as-for-democracy-the-men-of-sense-among-us-knew-what-it-was-and-i/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/war-is-a-matter-not-so-much-of-arms-as-of-money/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/amassing-of-wealth-is-an-opportunity-for-good-deeds-not-hubris/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [People get into the habit of entrusting the things they desire to wishful thinking, and subjecting things they don't desire to exhaustive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/people-get-into-the-habit-of-entrusting-the-things-they-desire-to/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/hope-is-an-expensive-commodity-it-makes-better-sense-to-be-prepared/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) [Explore all 160 Thucydides quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) ## More Adversaries quotes > [In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-all-matters-of-opinion-our-adversaries-are-insane/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Inanimate objects are sometimes parties to litigation. A ship has a legal personality, a fiction found useful for maritime purposes. The corporation sole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/inanimate-objects-are-sometimes-parties-to-litigation-a-ship-has-a/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [There were various aspects of Sun Tzu's approach that appealed to Ho Chi Minh: a) to learn to understand both the enemy and yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/there-were-various-aspects-of-sun-tzu-s-approach-that-appealed-to-ho/) [William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) > [Marriage, in my view, should be a balanced stalemate between equal adversaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/marriage-in-my-view-should-be-a-balanced-stalemate-between-equal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power-plants-but-they-did-target/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [It's like I'm married to the silencer, Until I file for divorce and release my ex-calibers. Do art with your arteries, place that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/it-s-like-i-m-married-to-the-silencer-until-i-file-for-divorce-and/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/educational-exchange-can-turn-nations-into-people-contributing-as-no/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Obama is hardly the first president to seek rapprochement with our adversaries and reconciliation with our enemies, of course. But his determination to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-f-hayes/obama-is-hardly-the-first-president-to-seek-rapprochement-with-our/) [Stephen F. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-f-hayes/) > [It is better to make friends than adversaries of a conquered race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/it-is-better-to-make-friends-than-adversaries-of-a-conquered-race/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [“The most courageous act in politics is to try to understand your opponent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-most-courageous-act-in-politics-is-to-try-to-understand-your/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Often GOP political strategy seems like the human wave theory of the Chinese military translated to politics. 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They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-should-seek-after-spiritual-gifts-they-can-lead-us-to-god-they-can/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) [Browse all 446 Adversaries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thucydides" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-self-reproach-and-the-more/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adversaries" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-self-reproach-and-the-more/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/thucydides-2578_adversaries_concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-s_2968817.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“concessions to adversaries only end in self reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater…” — Thucydides", "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": "Thucydides", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "concessions to adversaries only end in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-self-reproach-and-the-more/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/concessions-to-adversaries-only-end-in-self-reproach-and-the-more/#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 } } ] } ```