HKB
60 passages · search this phrase →
Often appears with: fate, destiny, and necessity · siege and fortification · conquest, plunder, and captives · rank, class, and social order · justice as a virtue · counsel and advisers to rulers · the passions and the emotions · political legitimacy and consent · military discipline and training · history and the writing of history · crime and punishment · trade, markets, and merchants
Usually: sudden reversal of fortune (45) · detachment (39) · narrative (38) · curiosity (28) · reflection (24) · skepticism (23) · argument (18) · exhortation (11) · lament (10) · the fall of the great (9)
“For my part I consider that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if you wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-use her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered by the adventurous rather than by those who go to work more coldly.” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · wit
“Why should you suggest that I should be afraid of a good man?” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · wit
“Therefore the manacles with which he was chained in prison are to be seen to this day fixed up in the tower of his residence, where they were placed by him to testify forever to his days of adversity.” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · vivid
“Therefore Louis made these five errors: he destroyed the minor powers, he increased the strength of one of the greater powers in Italy, he brought in a foreign power, he did not settle in the country, he did not send colonies.” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · insight
“Thus King Louis lost Lombardy by not having followed any of the conditions observed by those who have taken possession of countries and wished to retain them.” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · insight
“The policy of Diocletian, which inspired the councils of his associates, provided for the public tranquility, by encouraging a spirit of dissension among the barbarians, and by strengthening the fortifications of the Roman limit.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“Thus talking, Don Quixote and his squire were going along, when, on the road they were following, Don Quixote perceived approaching them a large and thick cloud of dust.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“Write to me often, and write like a man. I consider your fidelity and tenderness as a great part of the comforts which are yet left me, and sincerely wish we could be nearer to each other.” James Boswell, Boswell's Life of Johnson · precept
“Give me your hand, my little woman! It's a match!--In ten years' time you shall be a general's wife, or a widow!” Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm · vivid
“with these views; as he had but a small quantity of corn, and Pompey was strong in cavalry, that he might furnish his army with corn and other necessaries from all sides with less danger;” Julius Caesar, "De Bello Gallico" and Other Commentaries · insight
“It is probable that amongst arrangements of steam-engines and metal machinery, some curious accidental magneto-electric combinations may be found, producing effects which have never been observed, or, if noticed, have never as yet been understood.” Michael Faraday, Experimental Researches in Electricity, Volume 1 · insight
“Since, however, prudence, as stated above (Q. 47, A. 3) is about singular matters of action, which contain many combinations of circumstances, it happens that a thing is good in itself and suitable to the end, and nevertheless becomes evil or unsuitable to the end, by reason of some combination of circumstances.” Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) · insight
Pepys continues journeying around southern England for naval business, lodging near Portsmouth, attending lectures and sermons with prominent visitors, touring Southampton’s sights and fortifications, and observing the Queen’s establishment and public plate presentation.
heart to be contented, I think I may reckon myself as happy a man as any in the world, for which God be praised. So to prayers and to bed. 25th. Great talk of the effects of this late great wind; and I heard one say that he had five great trees standing together blown down; and, beginning to lop them, one of them, as soon as the lops were cut off, did, by the weight of the root, rise again and fasten. We have lett…
Pepys notes cold air with lingering smoke from the Great Fire, then attends the Duke of York’s lodging to discuss fortifications at Harwich and hears a friar preach in Portuguese at Queen’s chapel.
cold; and it is observable that within these eight days I did see smoke remaining, coming out of some cellars from the late great fire, now above six months since. 17th. I to the Duke of York's lodging, where in his dressing- chamber, he talking of his journey to-morrow or next day to Harwich, to prepare some fortifications there; so that we are wholly upon the defensive part this year. I to walke in the Parke; wh…
Pepys travels from Salisbury toward Hungerford, then night-arrives at Old Sarum and sleeps at the George Inn, paying hospitality and giving money to the poor along the way.
where had been a fair of custard; and met many people and scholars going home; and there did get some pretty good musick, and sang and danced till supper: 5s. 10th. Wednesday. Up, and walked to the hospitall: very large and fine, and pictures of founders and the History of the hospitall; and is said to be worth 700l. per annum, and that Mr. Foly was here lately to see how their lands were settled. And here, in o…
Phaeax is sent as an Athenian ambassador to Italy and Sicily while Cleon establishes Eion as a base, unsuccessfully assaults Stagirus, captures Galepsus, and informs Perdiccas and Thracian allies to gather forces; Brasidas positions himself to watch Amphipolis.
on the Athenian border, was taken by treachery by the Boeotians. Meanwhile Cleon, after placing a garrison in Torone, weighed anchor and sailed around Athos on his way to Amphipolis. About the same time Phaeax, son of Erasistratus, set sail with two colleagues as ambassador from Athens to Italy and Sicily. The Leontines, upon the departure of the Athenians from Sicily after the pacification, had placed a number of n…
Aeneas and his companions enter a rising Carthaginian city where Tyrians build walls, gates, temples, and laws, and Aeneas slips unnoticed into the busy crowd to meet Dido.
clime; Where garlands, ever green and ever fair, With vows are offer’d, and with solemn pray’r: A hundred altars in her temple smoke; A thousand bleeding hearts her pow’r invoke. They climb the next ascent, and, looking down, Now at a nearer distance view the town. The prince with wonder sees the stately tow’rs, Which late were huts and shepherds’ homely bow’rs, The gates and streets; and hea…
He concludes Louis XII lost Lombardy without following the retention rules, disputes claims that concessions avoided war, and generalizes a rule: whoever causes another to become powerful is likely to be ruined.
in Lombardy was justified by the excuse that by it she got a foothold in Italy, this other partition merited blame, for it had not the excuse of that necessity. Therefore Louis made these five errors: he destroyed the minor powers, he increased the strength of one of the greater powers in Italy, he brought in a foreign power, he did not settle in the country, he did not send colonies. Which errors, had he lived, wer…
Machiavelli says fortune creates opportunities for renown, new princes can gain more from formerly distrusted men, must assess why they were favored, and should manage fortified security carefully.
in a vigorous principality; such methods for enabling one the more easily to manage subjects are only useful in times of peace, but if war comes this policy proves fallacious. 4. Without doubt princes become great when they overcome the difficulties and obstacles by which they are confronted, and therefore fortune, especially when she desires to make a new prince great, who has a greater necessity to earn renown tha…
He contrasts rulers who change with the times versus those who remain constant, gives Pope Julius II as an example of impetuous success, and claims fortune favors bold audacity.
follows from what I have said, that two men working differently bring about the same effect, and of two working similarly, one attains his object and the other does not. Changes in estate also issue from this, for if, to one who governs himself with caution and patience, times and affairs converge in such a way that his administration is successful, his fortune is made; but if times and affairs change, he is ruined …
Machiavelli introduces Casttruccio Castracani’s life by arguing that great deeds often arise from humble origins and Fortune, then promises to recount Castruccio’s valour and fortunate exemplar qualities.
a great exemplar to men. I think also that I ought to call your attention to his actions, because you of all men I know delight most in noble deeds. The family of Castracani was formerly numbered among the noble families of Lucca, but in the days of which I speak it had somewhat fallen in estate, as so often happens in this world. To this family was born a son Antonio, who became a priest of the order of San Michele…
The Poggio family rebels against Castruccio’s lieutenant in Lucca; Stefano di Poggio mediates, but Castruccio later kills the plotters, then makes a two-year truce with Florence and strengthens Lucca’s defenses by using seized stones.
San Miniato, inflicting immense damage upon the country. Whereupon the Florentines recalled their army, which had scarcely reached Tuscany, when Castruccio was forced by other necessities to return to Lucca. There resided in the city of Lucca the Poggio family, who were so powerful that they could not only elevate Castruccio, but even advance him to the dignity of prince; and it appearing to them they had not receiv…
The text recounts Castruccio Castracani’s reputed wit and asks why anyone should fear a “good man,” then claims he sought reminders of misfortune by having his prison shackles displayed and likens his stature and death to Philip of Macedon and Scipio of Rome.
a good one?” asked Castruccio, and was told that he was a good one, whereupon he said, “Why should you suggest that I should be afraid of a good man?” I could recount many other stories of his sayings both witty and weighty, but I think that the above will be sufficient testimony to his high qualities. He lived forty-four years, and was in every way a prince. And as he was surrounded by many evidences of his good fo…
Plutarch praises Timoleon as unusually ‘easy’ and effective compared with other Greek heroes, credits him with bringing fortune and divine favor, describes his chapel and retirement in Sicily, and emphasizes civic prosperity under him.
his aid as a chief architect, to finish and adorn the work, and superadd some touches from his own hand, which might render it pleasing both to God and man. Although Greece had in his time produced several persons of extraordinary worth, and much renowned for their achievements, such as Timotheus and Agesilaus and Pelopidas and (Timoleon's chief model) Epaminondas, yet the lustre of their best actions was obscured b…
After Pydna’s defeat the Macedonians submit to Aemilius, who is credited with good fortune and striking omens, including rumors spreading instantly in Rome and supernatural signs at Amphipolis.
his hands (which in a short time after fell to the enemy), and with them sailed to Samothrace, and there fled to the temple of Castor and Pollux for refuge. The Macedonians were always accounted great lovers of their kings, but now, as if their chief prop was broken, they all gave way together, and submitted to Aemilius, and in two days made him master of their whole country. This seems to confirm the opinion which…
Plutarch compares Roman commanders’ battlefield outcomes, contrasting Lucullus’ success against Mithridates and Tigranes with Cimon’s earlier Persian victories, concluding that near-miraculous favor and luck affect judgments of greatness.
the same pain as surgeons' bandages do in bringing dislocated bones to their natural position. Both of them, perhaps, come off pretty much with an equal acquittal on this count. Lucullus very much outwent him in war being the first Roman who carried an army over Taurus, passed the Tigris, took and burnt the royal palaces of Asia in the sight of the kings, Tigranocerta, Cabira, Sinope, and Nisibis, seizing and overwh…
Alexander distributes money to Persian women, refashions Cyrus’s Greek inscription, reflects on fortune’s change, and narrates Calanus’s funeral sacrifice and Alexander’s drinking-match aftermath.
ordered it to be thrown to his horses, and when they would not touch it, "What good," he said, "will this provision do us?" and sent him away to prison. When he came into Persia, he distributed money among the women, as their own kings had been wont to do, who as often as they came thither, gave every one of them a piece of gold; on account of which custom, some of them, it is said, had come but seldom, and Ochus wa…
In the struggle involving Philip of Macedon and the island of Euboea, Phocion fortifies his troops near Tamynae, defeats attackers after a sacrifice, expels Plutarch of Eretria, takes Zaretra, and releases Greeks to prevent Athenian cruelty.
Phocion's arrival, they went out to welcome him in their private boats and barges, with streamers and garlands, and received him at landing with every demonstration of joy and pleasure. When king Philip was effecting his entry into Euboea, and was bringing over troops from Macedonia, and making himself master of the cities, by means of the tyrants who ruled in them, Plutarch of Eretria sent to request aid of the Ath…
Boniface rebuilds Seres and fortifies Drama in the Philippi valley, sends his daughter Agnes to be brought to Henry, who marries her at Hagia Sophia on Candlemas 1207.
ADVANTAGES OBTAINED BY BONIFACE—MARRIAGE OF HIS DAUGHTER WITH THE EMPEROR At that time the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat departed from Salonika, and went to Seres, which Johannizza had destroyed; and he rebuilt it; and afterwards rebuilt a castle called Drama in the valley of Philippi. All the country round about surrendered to him, and came under his rule; and he wintered in the land. Meanwhile, so much time had …
Don Quixote promises to find an anti-enchantment sword and insists wandering brings the highest pleasure; shortly after, he and Sancho spot dust and Don Quixote imagines two armies marching toward battle.
and falling in with enchanted persons on whom I cannot avenge myself so as to know what the delight, as your worship calls it, of conquering an enemy is like.” “That is what vexes me, and what ought to vex thee, Sancho,” replied Don Quixote; “but henceforward I will endeavour to have at hand some sword made by such craft that no kind of enchantments can take effect upon him who carries it, and it is even possible th…
This passage notes, via a Juvenal reference, that Pompey’s fate became an example of how human wishes and efforts are overturned by Fortune and even lead to the loss of a defeated leader’s head.
[30] The fate of Pompey served also as an instance to Juvenal in his satire on the vanity of human wishes. Provida Pompeio diderat Campania febres Optandas, sed multæ urbes et publica vota Vicerunt; igitur Fortuna ipsius et urbis Servatum victo caput abstulit. Sat. X. 283, &c. [31] Spartacus was the celebrated leader of the slaves in the Servile War.
In 909–910, Bishop Denulf dies in Winchester and St. Oswald’s body is moved to Mercia; King Edward campaigns against northern Danes at Tootenhall and Ethelfleda builds Bramsbury and other forts.
A.D. 909. This year died Denulf, who was Bishop of Winchester; and the body of St. Oswald was translated from Bardney into Mercia. A.D. 910. This year Frithestan took to the bishopric of Winchester; and Asser died soon after, who was Bishop of Sherborne. The same year King Edward sent an army both from Wessex and Mercia, which very much harassed the northern army by their attacks on men and property of every kind.…
Gibbon contrasts Britain’s domestic threats with cross-continental frontier risks and argues Diocletian secured peace by encouraging barbarian dissension, building frontier camps from Egypt to Persia, and strengthening Rhine–Danube fortifications.
II. Britain had none but domestic enemies to dread; and as long as the governors preserved their fidelity, and the troops their discipline, the incursions of the naked savages of Scotland or Ireland could never materially affect the safety of the province. The peace of the continent, and the defence of the principal rivers which bounded the empire, were objects of far greater difficult…
Romans’ reliance on barbarians inside the army enables dangerous intelligence leaks; an Alemannian guardsman informs relatives of Gratian’s eastern needs, and Alemanni invade Gaul via the Rhine on ice early in February.
One of the most dangerous inconveniences of the introduction of the Barbarians into the army and the palace, was sensibly felt in their correspondence with their hostile countrymen; to whom they imprudently, or maliciously, revealed the weakness of the Roman empire. A soldier, of the lifeguards of Gratian, was of the nation of the Alemanni, and of the tribe of the Lentienses, who d…
Gibbon dates the Goths’ final capitulation to a fixed interval after Emperor Valens’s defeat and death, then turns to the Ostrogoths’ renewed westward movement and a failed Danube crossing attempt.
The general, or rather the final, capitulation of the Goths, may be dated four years, one month, and twenty-five days, after the defeat and death of the emperor Valens. 123 119 (return) [ Compare Themistius (Orat, xiv. p. 181) with Zosimus (l. iv. p. 232,) Jornandes, (c. xxvii. p. 649,) and the prolix Commentary of M. de Buat, (Hist. de Peuples, &c., tom. vi. p. 477—552.) The Chronicles of Idatius …
At Bahia Blanca, Darwin explains why the settlement is fortified, hunts for the Beagle’s arrival, describes marshy terrain and abundant wildlife, and recounts a guide’s narrow escape from an Indian attack.
glad to arrive within the walls, when we found all the alarm was about nothing, for the Indians turned out to be friendly ones, who wished to join General Rosas. Bahia Blanca scarcely deserves the name of a village. A few houses and the barracks for the troops are enclosed by a deep ditch and fortified wall. The settlement is only of recent standing (since 1828); and its growth has been one of trouble. The govern…
As Caesar and Pompey maneuver around Dyrrachium, Caesar builds forts and circumvallation to blockade Pompey, while Pompey fortifies hills and uses cavalry to forage, trapping Caesar’s advance.
happen, and some days before had plundered the Parthini, and having ravaged and dug up their houses, carried off all the corn, which he collected by means of his horse. XLIII.--Caesar, on being informed of these transactions, pursued measures suggested by the nature of the country. For round Pompey's camps there were several high and rough hills. These he first of all occupied with guards, and raised strong forts on…
Tocqueville claims Americans’ unrest comes from seeking worldly welfare under time pressure and from equality’s instability: constant competition, easy discouragement, and plans constantly changing due to fear of missing happiness.
shake off his happiness. Death at length overtakes him, but it is before he is weary of his bootless chase of that complete felicity which is forever on the wing. At first sight there is something surprising in this strange unrest of so many happy men, restless in the midst of abundance. The spectacle itself is however as old as the world; the novelty is to see a whole people furnish an exemplification of it. Their …
Tocqueville contrasts aristocracies and democracies in how the rich spend leisure: in democracies the rich are driven into trade, since commerce is the most brilliant public path and chance fantasies shape decisions.
respect they share the instincts of the poor, without feeling the same necessities; say rather, they feel the most imperious of all necessities, that of not sinking in the world. In aristocracies the rich are at the same time those who govern. The attention which they unceasingly devote to important public affairs diverts them from the lesser cares which trade and manufactures demand. If the will of an individual ha…
After Cosimo’s exile, Florence’s returned faction extends and modifies banishments, executes and expels opponents, and applies harsh regulations—strengthening the Medici-aligned government and allying with pope, Venetians, and Milan.
the duke's people had quitted Romagna, unable with his own power to keep possession of Bologna, fled, and Antonio Bentivogli, the head of the opposite party, returned to his country. All this took place during the exile of Cosmo, after whose return, those who had restored him, and a great number of persons injured by the opposite party, resolved at all events to make themselves sure of the government; and the Signor…
He claims that retreat from cannon fire can be dishonorable when the danger is inevitable, then recounts near-misses involving the Marquis de Guast at Arles and Lorenzo de’ Medici during the siege of Mondolfo, suggesting luck over judgment.
advantage of but that if he had such a stomach to fight, let him but come to view their ancient places of sepulture, and there he should have his fill. Nevertheless, as to cannon-shot, when a body of men are drawn up in the face of a train of artillery, as the occasion of war often requires, it is unhandsome to quit their post to avoid the danger, forasmuch as by reason of its violence and swiftness we account it in…
The herald recounts hardships during the voyage and victory, argues that no one enjoys unbroken good on earth, and then Clytemnestra and the chorus press for news and confirmation of Menelaus’s safety and Agamemnon’s imminent arrival.
CHORUS Death had been sweet, as thou didst say but now. HERALD ’Tis true; Fate smiles at last. Throughout our toil, These many years, some chances issued fair, And some, I wot, were chequered with a curse. But who, on earth, hath won the bliss of heaven, Thro’ time’s whole tenor an unbroken weal? I could a tale unfold of toiling oars, Ill rest, scant landings on a shore rock-strewn, All pains, all sorrows, for our d…
The memoir continues with Yule’s post-Punjab furlough and residence in Scotland, noting his writings (including Fortification) and early serious study of Marco Polo, then begins a 1852 tour with journal excerpts.
wealth of interesting observations on the country and people, a very primitive Mongolian race, which he subsequently embodied in two excellent and most interesting papers (the first he ever published).[27] In the following year, 1842, Yule was transferred to the irrigation canals of the north-west with head-quarters at Kurnaul. Here he had for chief Captain (afterwards General Sir William) Baker, who became his dear…
Yule’s return to India is interrupted by the Mutiny news; he is sent to Allahabad to support operations and accommodate large numbers of troops, then prepares the preface to his Burma book while reflecting on bloodshed and advancing relief at Lucknow.
to return together to India. Accordingly they sailed from Marseilles towards the end of April, and at Aden were met by the astounding news of the outbreak of the Mutiny. On his arrival in Calcutta Yule, who retained his appointment of Under Secretary to Government, found his work indefinitely increased. Every available officer was called into the field, and Yule’s principal centre of activity was shifted to the grea…
Further notes identify Polo’s Eli with coastal places around Mount d’Ely and the “Hili-Marawi” region, linking accounts by Ibn Batuta, Correa, and Arab histories, and discussing nearby towns and forts.
Bay of Marabia, because he saw there several Moorish ships, in order to get a mast from them.” It seems clear that this was the bay just behind Mt. d’Ely. Indeed the name of Marabia or *Máráwí* is still preserved in *Mádávi* or Mádái, corruptly termed *Maudoy* in some of our maps, a township upon the river which enters the bay about 7 or 8 miles south-east of Mt. d’Ely, and which is called by De Barros the *…
Marco Polo describes Calatu as a fortified Saracen city in the Gulf of Calatu, governed by the chief of Hormos, controlling ship entry, importing corn, distributing Indian goods inland, and exporting Arab horses.
CONCERNING THE GULF OF CALATU AND THE CITY SO CALLED. Calatu is a great city, within a gulf which bears the name of the Gulf of Calatu. It is a noble city, and lies 600 miles from Dufar towards the north-west, upon the sea-shore. The people are Saracens, and are subject to Hormos. And whenever the Melic of Hormos is at war with some prince more potent than himself, he betakes himself to this city of Calatu, because …
Strabo continues the geography around the Canopic mouth and the Delta, listing nomes and mouths, describing ship access limited by shallows, then recounting older stories of Milesians founding Naucratis and their fortress near the Bolbitine mouth.
24. This is the description of the country from Alexandreia to the vertex of the Delta. Artemidorus says, that the navigation up the river is 28 schœni, which amount to 840 stadia, reckoning the schœnus at 30 stadia. When we ourselves sailed up the river, schœni of different measures were used at different places in giving the distances, so that sometimes the received schœnus was a measure of 40 stadia and even more…
He speculates Earth’s diurnal rotation could generate much stronger currents than earlier experiments, then tests differences between iron and copper wires and compares water versus metal at Kensington’s lake to see whether currents are neutralized.
of the rectangle from east to west over the galvanometer, the marked pole of the needle went east, and the current of electricity was therefore the reverse of the former. 173. When the rectangle was arranged in a plane east and west, and the magnetic needle made parallel to it, either by the torsion of its suspension thread or the action of a magnet, still the general effects were the same. On moving the upper part …
Calvin reflects on providence in the Reformation, urges dependence on God amid uncertainty, and says he is alarmed by increasing security despite new offenses, including the “double marriage” affair.
When we weigh and consider carefully the whole course and progress of this work of Reformation, we shall find that himself had overruled, by wonderful methods, all the events in providence, without the advice or help of man, even contrary to all expectation. Upon this strength, therefore, which he has so often put forth in our behalf, let us, in the midst of so much perplexity, place our whole and entire dependence. …
He adds that forgiveness must be early and wise because resentment grows with repeated injuries; delayed vengeance traps people in misery and error, and forgiveness is required for being forgiven.
and glutted his pride with the fancied supplications of humbled enmity, will not easily open his bosom to amity and reconciliation, or indulge the gentle sentiments of benevolence and peace. It is easiest to forgive, while there is yet little to be forgiven. A single injury may be soon dismissed from the memory; but a long succession of ill offices by degrees associates itself with every idea; a long contest involv…
Mill explains how St. Simonian and early Auguste Comte ideas about organic versus critical periods of history, plus Comte’s stages of knowledge, sharpened his view of transitional eras and future synthesis.
them, and to Coleridge himself, many of Coleridge's sayings about half truths; and Goethe's device, "many-sidedness," was one which I would most willingly, at this period, have taken for mine. The writers by whom, more than by any others, a new mode of political thinking was brought home to me, were those of the St. Simonian school in France. In 1829 and 1830 I became acquainted with some of their writings. They wer…
Johnson departs Lichfield to Birmingham and then Oxford, returns to London on November 16, writes to Dr. Burney, and advises Boswell to write often and well, stressing life’s shortness and fortune’s comparison.
some flattering hopes of aid from the eminent physicians and surgeons in London, who kindly and generously attended him without accepting fees, made him resolve to return to the capital. From Lichfield he came to Birmingham, where he passed a few days with his worthy old schoolfellow, Mr. Hector, who thus writes to me:--'He was very solicitous with me to recollect some of our most early transactions, and transmit th…
Agricola reforms administration by limiting household interference, disciplining recruitment, and correcting tribute abuses, then uses controlled campaigning, fortifications, hostages, and education to reshape Britain.
glory served to augment it; since men were led to entertain a high idea of the grandeur of his future views, when such important services were passed over in silence. 19. Well acquainted with the temper of the province, and taught by the experience of former governors how little proficiency had been made by arms, when success was followed by injuries, he next undertook to eradicate the causes of war. And beginning w…
Arcite laments his sudden fate—exile from Theseus’s lands with execution risk—and reflects on providence and Fortune, while Palamon in turn mourns Arcite’s departure and the renewed inequality of their suffering.
lose his head; There was none other remedy nor rede*. *counsel But took his leave, and homeward he him sped; Let him beware, his necke lieth *to wed*. *in pledge* How great a sorrow suff’reth now Arcite! The death he feeleth through his hearte smite; He weepeth, waileth, crieth piteously; To slay himself he waiteth privily. He said; “Alas the day that I was born! Now is my prison worse than beforn: *Now is me shape*…
Cellini writes that Cardinal de’ Gaddi’s letter and the King’s promised money will allow him to “gather up the fallen thread,” then reflects on how “malignant stars” and Cardinal de’ Gaddi’s folly indirectly lead to his trouble in Rome.
me without delay upon the receipt of this letter; for I will undertake to gather up the fallen thread, and have the promised money given you by this magnanimous King.”' Now let the world take notice, and all the folk that dwell on it, what power malignant stars with adverse fortune exercise upon us human beings! I had not spoken twice in my lifetime to that little simpleton of a Cardinal de’ Gaddi; nor do I think th…
Marx argues that in 1848-51 only the ghost of the old revolution appears, with old dates and officials returning; France longs to return to Egypt-like stability after December 2, 1851.
of exaggerating to the imagination the given task, not to recoil before its practical solution; it served the purpose of rekindling the revolutionary spirit, not to trot out its ghost. In 1848-51 only the ghost of the old revolution wandered about, from Marrast the “Republicain en gaunts jaunes,” [#1 Silk-stocking republican] who disguised himself in old Bailly, down to the adventurer, who hid his repulsively trivia…
Aristotle says monarchies are preserved by opposite means to their destruction: a kingdom lasts when the king’s power stays moderate, making him less despotic and less envied.
Monarchies, in a word, are preserved by means contrary to what I have already mentioned as the cause of their destruction; but to speak to each separately: the stability of a kingdom will depend upon the power of the king's being kept within moderate bounds; for by how much the less extensive his power is, by so much the longer will his government continue; for he will be less despotic and more upon an equality of co…
Aristotle notes that oligarchies and tyrannies usually end quickly, then reviews examples where specific tyrants in Sicyon, with moderate rule and lawful behavior, kept power longer.
Indeed an oligarchy and a tyranny are of all governments of the shortest duration. The tyranny of Orthagoras and his family at Sicyon, it is true, continued longer than any other: the reason for which was, that they used their power with moderation, and were in many particulars obedient to the laws; and, as Clisthenes was an able general, he never fell into contempt, and by the care he took that in many particulars h…
Boswell describes Dunvegan Castle: surviving ivy-covered walls, older towers, stone cannon, and an unfinished four-story building tied to the M'Leods’ marriage and conquest, plus an inscription commissioned by John Breck M’Leod’s minister.
was a good morning; so we resolved to set out. But, before quitting this castle, where we have been so well entertained, let me give a short description of it. Along the edge of the rock, there are the remains of a wall, which is now covered with ivy. A square court is formed by buildings of different ages, particularly some towers, said to be of great antiquity; and at one place there is a row of false cannon of st…
On 18 October the party separates from the young companion Col, Boswell buries bones from a ruined chapel, Johnson and Boswell debate resentment of merchants’ wealth, and Johnson’s “fortification” ideal is discussed.
Parva quidem regio, sed relligione priorum Nota, Caledonias panditur inter aquas; Voce ubi Cennethus populos domuisse feroces Dicitur, et vanos dedocuisse deos. Huc ego delatus placido per coerula cursu Scire locum volui quid daret itte novi. Illic Leniades humili regnabat in aula, Leniades magnis nobilitatus avis: Una duas habuit casa cum genitore puellas, Quas Amor undarum fingeret esse deas: Non…
Narses and Aratius defect to the Romans with a payment from the imperial steward Narses, while Isaac betrays the fortress of Bolum at night by opening a small gate for hidden soldiers.
there, and the Persians were not able against the will of the Romans to force the inhabitants of the place to terms, because they were baffled by the difficult country. At about the same time Narses and Aratius who at the beginning of this war, as I have stated above,[20] had an encounter with Sittas and Belisarius in the land of the Persarmenians, came together with their mother as deserters to the Romans; and the …
The Vandals interpret a saying about human instability: an elder advises that nothing is secure and nothing is impossible; after later reversals, the Vandals accept the wise man’s warning and learn the moral of Fortune.
XXII And the Vandals, recalling an ancient saying, marvelled, understanding clearly thereafter that for a man, at least, no hope could be impossible nor any possession secure. And what this saying was and in what manner it was spoken I shall explain. When the Vandals originally, pressed by hunger, were about to remove from their ancestral abodes, a certain part of them was left behind who were reluctant to go and no…
Polybius describes his starting point and method: his account begins with Roman moves against Carthage and then connects events across Italy, Libya, Asia, and Greece to show history as a single unified whole shaped by Fortune.
[Sidenote: The need of a comprehensive view of history as well as a close study of an epoch.] +4.+ There is this analogy between the plan of my History and the marvellous spirit of the age with which I have to deal. Just as Fortune made almost all the affairs of the world incline in one direction, and forced them to converge upon one and the same point; so it is my task as an historian to put before my readers a com…
Polybius shifts to Hasdrubal in Iberia, explaining Roman anxiety over Carthaginian fortifications like New Carthage, and how fear of Celtic attack leads Rome to mollify Hasdrubal rather than immediately fight Carthage.
by which the Carthaginians, without saying anything of the rest of Iberia, engaged not to cross the Iber in arms, they pushed on the war with the Celts in Italy. +14.+ This war itself I shall treat only summarily, to avoid breaking the thread of my history; but I must go back somewhat in point of time, and refer to the period at which these tribes originally occupied their districts in Italy. For the story I think i…
Polybius compares Hannibal’s crisis-courage to Epaminondas, recounting Epaminondas’s rapid march to Sparta and back from Mantinea and noting Fortune thwarted the attempted capture of Sparta.
conditions under which marches by day or night may be performed, and the distances to which they can extend, and not only marches on land, but also voyages by sea. The third and most important is to have some knowledge of the seasons, and to be able to adapt the design to them. Nor again is the selection of the ground for the operation to be regarded as unimportant, since it often happens that it is this which make…
Polybius argues that sensational miracle tales about Agathocles are unnecessary, and that Agathocles’s fall came from his lack of courage, vigor, and ability.
[Sidenote: See 12, 15.] +35.+ To such a story then no such dissertation is required, as was in place, for instance, in the case of the Sicilian monarchs, Agathocles and Dionysius, and certain others who have administered governments with reputation. For the former of these, starting from a plebeian and humble position—having been, as Timaeus sneeringly remarks, a potter—came from the wheel, clay, and smoke, quite a …
Polybius uses Demetrius of Phalerum’s example of Fortune’s mutability from the rise of Macedon over Persia to interpret Perseus’s ruin, then notes that unexpected threats arise for rulers after victories.
[Sidenote: Demetrius of Phalerum on mutability.] +21.+ One is often reminded of the words of Demetrius of Phalerum. In his treatise on Fortune, wishing to give the world a distinct view of her mutability, he fixed upon the period of Alexander, when that monarch destroyed the Persian dynasty, and thus expresses himself: “If you will take, I don’t say unlimited time or many generations, but only these last fifty years…
Polybius states he recounts Polyaratus and Deinon to teach others a wiser course, then notes Fortune’s mutability using Perseus’s columns later completed and used by Lucius Aemilius.
last degree; but in order that, by clearly showing their folly, I might instruct those who fall into similar difficulties and dangers how to take a better and wiser course.... [Sidenote: The columns constructed at Delphi for statues of Perseus used by Aemilius. Autumn of B.C. 167. Livy, 45, 27.] +10.+ The most striking illustration of the mutability and capriciousness of Fortune is when a man, within a brief period…
Polybius uses an anecdote about statues moved by night versus daylight to urge restraint, warning against presumption and noting Fortune often reverses those who set precedents.
what had happened was a heaven-sent infatuation, and that the wrath of God had fallen upon the Macedonians. And this will be rendered evident from what remains to be told.... [Sidenote: Death of Massanissa B.C. 148. His fortunate career and physical vigour.] +10.+ Massanissa, king of the Numidians in Africa, was the best man of all the kings of our time, and the most completely fortunate; for he reigned more than s…
Belisarius is denied an eastern command by Antonina, is sent to Italy under strict conditions, and then fails; Procopius links these reversals to “fortune,” while describing his passions and broken oaths.
by fear, managed at one stroke to become mistress of his entire fortune; for she straightway established a relationship between them, betrothing Joannina, Belisarius's only daughter, to her grandson Anastasius. Belisarius now asked to be restored to his command, and to be nominated general of the army of the East, in order to conduct the war against Chosroes and the Medes, but Antonina would not permit this; she dec…
The note comments on the Second Philippic, correcting event order about Alexander’s Persian overtures, discussing Elateia’s strategic purpose against Thebes, and analyzing terms like “Council of Ten” and how Philip threatened local autonomy.
by ambition or cupidity as the Thebans were. This is different from mere 'good sense' ([Greek: *syphronein, noun echea*]). For Theban 'stupidity', see Speech on Peace, § 15 (and n.). § 22. *Council of Ten* ([Greek: *dekadarchian*]). It is clear that some sort of oligarchical government, nominated by Philip, is referred to; but the relation of this to the tetrarchies mentioned in the Speech on the Chersonese, § 26, a…
Skarphedinn and Asgrim continue recruiting at the Thing, encountering refusal and warnings, then reach Gudmund the Powerful, whose description and conditional aid leads to continued negotiations with Skarphedinn’s reputation.
says Snorri, "that thou art a good man and true, and I will promise thee this, that I will not be against thee, and not yield help to thy foes." Asgrim thanked him, and Snorri the Priest asked, "Who is that man before whom four go, pale-faced, and sharp-featured, and who shows his front teeth, and has his axe aloft on his shoulder." "My name is Hedinn," he says, "but some men call me Skarphedinn by my full name; bu…