"I am mindful of human weakness, and I reflect upon the might of Fortune and know that everything that we do is exposed to a thousand chances. But, just as I should admit that I were acting with arrogance and violence if, before I had crossed over to Africa, I were to reject you when you were voluntarily withdrawing from Italy and, while your army was already on shipboard, you were coming in person to sue for peace, so now, when I have dragged you to Africa, resisting and shifting ground as we almost came to blows, I am under no obligation to respect you. Therefore, if to the terms upon which peace was formerly about to be made, as it seemed, you are adding some kind of compensation for the ships loaded with supplies that were taken by force during the armistice, and for violence done to my envoys, I have reason to bring it before the council. But if that addition also seems too severe, prepare for war, since you have been unable to endure a peace ."
React to this quote
More by Scipio Africanus
See allResonant Thoughts
"It was explained that the North Korean matter was a diplomatic inconvenience, while Iraq's non-disarmament remained a "crisis". The reason was strategic: even without WMDs, North Korea could inflict a…"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"ICTs are modifying the very nature of, and hence what we mean by, reality, by transforming it into an infos…"
— Luciano Floridi"Metaphysical principles are tempting shortcuts but not reliable guides. There are good reasons why things o…"
— Sean M. Carroll"A good writer has a sense of integrity that is hard to compromise."
— Irene Staunton"The United States of America fought a horrific civil war that ended slavery. Yes, slavery was the reason fo…"
— Dennis Prager"There is a certain force, less primary than being but more primary than the soul, which draws its existence…"
— Sallustius"The Kingdom of God is within you.. and all beings."
— Leo Tolstoy
