“It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disaster to discuss the matter.”
Book I, 1.78-[3]
History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I
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Thucydides76
Greek historian and Athenian generalRelated quotes
Karl Popper (1902–1994) Austrian-British philosopher of science
Source: Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963), p. 352
Context: It is often asserted that discussion is only possible between people who have a common language and accept common basic assumptions. I think that this is a mistake. All that is needed is a readiness to learn from one's partner in the discussion, which includes a genuine wish to understand what he intends to say. If this readiness is there, the discussion will be the more fruitful the more the partner's backgrounds differ.
“Life is always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act.”
Paulo Coelho (1947) Brazilian lyricist and novelist
Source: Veronika Decides to Die
“When diplomacy ends, War begins.”
Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) Führer and Reich Chancellor of Germany, Leader of the Nazi Party
“I am waiting for something to go wrong
I am waiting for familiar resolve”
Ben Gibbard (1976) American singer, songwriter and guitarist
Expo '86
Transatlanticism (2003)
“Reserve the great matters till the end, and the small matters give at the beginning.”
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Renaissance polymath
The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (1883), XXI Letters. Personal Records. Dated Notes.
Katharine Fullerton Gerould (1879–1944) American writer
Source: Modes and Morals (1920), Ch. 1