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Attila Quotes

Attila , frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, and Alans among others, in Central and Eastern Europe.

During his reign, he was one of the most feared enemies of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He crossed the Danube twice and plundered the Balkans, but was unable to take Constantinople. His unsuccessful campaign in Persia was followed in 441 by an invasion of the Eastern Roman Empire, the success of which emboldened Attila to invade the West. He also attempted to conquer Roman Gaul , crossing the Rhine in 451 and marching as far as Aurelianum before being defeated at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.

He subsequently invaded Italy, devastating the northern provinces, but was unable to take Rome. He planned for further campaigns against the Romans, but died in 453. After Attila's death, his close adviser, Ardaric of the Gepids, led a Germanic revolt against Hunnic rule, after which the Hunnic Empire quickly collapsed.



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✵ 2. September 406 – 453
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Attila: 22   quotes 12   likes

Famous Attila Quotes

“Foresight, energy, commitment to a single goal, the choice and use of Huns, and commitment to a goal worth the effort become the characteristics of an excellent commander.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Use your enemy's weaknesses to your advantage. On the other hand, if your enemy is too strong, retreat and act again on the day you conquer it.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“We must be prepared for new tactics to be implemented by the enemy. We should follow them closely and evaluate the possible methods he can apply using our intelligence.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Superficial purposes have superficial consequences.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Get ready to hunt when you go hunting. Take your best bow and arrow with you. Wear the best clothes for you while chasing animals in the forest.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“The smart leader never asks the question he doesn't want to hear the answer!”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Attila Quotes about war

“Here you stand, after conquering mighty nations and subduing the world. I therefore think it foolish for me to goad you with words, as though you were men who had not been proved in action. Let a new leader or an untried army resort to that. It is not right for me to say anything common, nor ought you to listen. For what is war but your usual custom? Or what is sweeter for a brave man than to seek revenge with his own hand? It is a right of nature to glut the soul with vengeance. Let us then attack the foe eagerly; for they are ever the bolder who make the attack. Despise this union of discordant races! To defend oneself by alliance is proof of cowardice. See, even before our attack they are smitten with terror. They seek the heights, they seize the hills and, repenting too late, clamor for protection against battle in the open fields. You know how slight a matter the Roman attack is. While they are still gathering in order and forming in one line with locked shields, they are checked, I will not say by the first wound, but even by the dust of battle. Then on to the fray with stout hearts, as is your wont. Despise their battle line. Attack the Alani, smite the Visigoths! Seek swift victory in that spot where the battle rages. For when the sinews are cut the limbs soon relax, nor can a body stand when you have taken away the bones. Let your courage rise and your own fury burst forth! Now show your cunning, Huns, now your deeds of arms! Let the wounded exact in return the death of his foe; let the unwounded revel in slaughter of the enemy. No spear shall harm those who are sure to live; and those who are sure to die Fate overtakes even in peace. And finally, why should Fortune have made the Huns victorious over so many nations, unless it were to prepare them for the joy of this conflict. Who was it revealed to our sires the path through the Maeotian swamp, for so many ages a closed secret? Who, moreover, made armed men yield to you, when you were as yet unarmed? Even a mass of federated nations could not endure the sight of the Huns. I am not deceived in the issue;--here is the field so many victories have promised us. I shall hurl the first spear at the foe. If any can stand at rest while Attila fights, he is a dead man.”

Attila

As quoted by Jordanes, The Origin and Deeds of the Goths http://people.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#attila, translated by Charles C. Mierow

“Before embarking on war or agreement, it is wise to consider all possibilities. Consider them thoroughly. Consider the consequences of your actions. Thus, you are prepared for the worst case.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Huns should only enter wars in which they can win.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Attila Quotes

“If you want your enemy to trust you in the future, keep the promises you made during bargaining.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Future

“For what fortress, what city, in the wide extent of the Roman empire, can hope to exist, secure and impregnable, if it is our pleasure that it should be erased from the earth?”

Attila

As quoted by Edward Gibbon (1781), The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. III, chapter 34

Pleasure , Hope

“A purposeless Hun never knows when he has achieved his goal.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Leaders should steer the Huns, never letting them remain purposeless.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“A leader without a competitive spirit is weak and easily gives up in the face of the slightest problem.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Problem

“Don't underestimate the power of your enemy, no matter how big or small, one day it could be to your detriment.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Commanders must always have high goals; they must seek out things that make them different, without taking refuge in the safety of the mundane.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Making love

“Never appoint an arbitrator; it is the third person determining your destiny. Such a choice would benefit the weak”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Personality

“You shouldn't want to be the head.”

Attila

Head=Leader
Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“The greater your successes and victories, the more opposition your enemies will come your way, with painful and discouraging events.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Way , Pain , Victory , Success

“Great commanders never take themselves too seriously.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

“Act naturally, not be caught in the false pride that your position brings to you.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Falseness , Nature

“Fear is effective as much as magic.”

Attila

Turkish Wikipedia
https://quotestats.com/topic/attila-hun-quotes/

Fear

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