Plutarch's Lives, Volume I

by Plutarch

For those who allow themselves much licence in speech seldom say anything memorable.

I would expound further on this quote, but I feel that would be missing the point.

I have no ambition to conquer a man by whom it is more glorious to be defeated.

Hannibal's army was no longer what it had been, being partly corrupted by luxury and plunder, and partly also worn out by unremitting toils and battles.

how much weaker we are when we turn the Lord’s blessing into more the He intended them to be.

This man was vexed at the honours paid to Fabius, and once, in a transport of envy and vain glory, he said before the Senate that he, not Fabius, was the real author of the recapture of the town. Fabius with a smile answered: "Very true; for if you had not lost the place, I could never have recaptured it." XXIV.

Haha. Well played Fabius. This was my favorite quote in the book.

both these failings, excess of confidence and want of confidence, are common to all except the most consummate generals.

“Want of confidence” is often nothing more then the self-centeredness of excessive confidence with clothing.

Indeed, the right use of riches is more glorious than that of arms, but not to desire them at all is better even than using them well.

What we do to our enemies in war is done of necessity, but the evil we say of them seems to spring from an excess of spite.

those who are careless of accuracy in small things soon begin to neglect the most important.

Never boast in today so long as tomorrow remains around the corner. But go ahead and boast in the Lord, because there is no one greater coming, and no more corners for His challenger to hide behind.