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An army is strengthened by labor and enervated by idleness. Troops are not to be led to battle unless confident of success. (General Maxims)

— Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus

Numquam ad certamen publicum produxeris militem, nisi cum eum uideris sperare uictoriam.

Original text (Latin)

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More quotes by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus

Nulla enim alia re uidemus populum Romanum orbem subegisse terrarum nisi armorum exercitio, disciplina castrorum usuque militiae.

Therefore, whoever wishes for peace, let him prepare for war.

Nulla consilia meliora sunt nisi illa, quae ignorauerit aduersarius, antequam facias.

What can a soldier do who charges when out of breath?

In omnibus proeliis expeditionis condicio talis est, ut quod tibi prodest aduersarium noceat, quod illum adiuuat tibi semper officiat.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.