It is easy at any moment to surrender a large fortune; to build one up is a difficult and an arduous task.
LivyRead
Under the influence of fear, which always leads men to take a pessimistic view of things, they magnified their enemies' resources, and minimized their own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fear can distort perception, making us overlook our strengths while overestimating our challenges.
This quote by Livy illustrates how fear can cloud our judgment and alter our perspective. When individuals are engulfed by fear, they tend to overemphasize the power and resources of their adversaries while simultaneously underestimating their own capabilities, which can lead to a defeatist attitude and hinder their ability to confront challenges effectively.
Themes
FearPessimismPerceptionCourageResources
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to encourage resilience during tough times.
More from Livy
All quotes βValor is the soldier's adornment.
LivyRead
The army from Asia introduced a foreign luxury to Rome; it was then the meals began to require more dishes and more expenditure . . . the cook, who had up to that time been employed as a slave of low price, become dear: what had been nothing but a metier was elevated to an art.
LivyRead
The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things rotten through and through, to avoid.
LivyRead
The troubles which have come upon us always seem more serious than those which are only threatening.
LivyRead
No crime can ever be defended on rational grounds.
LivyRead
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