WIST Quotations

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 7, ch. 6 / sec. 19 (7.6/7.19) (43-01 BC) [tr. Manuwald (2007)]

Dave — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:53:13 +0000

And I am not against peace, but I dread war camouflaged as peace. Therefore, if we wish to enjoy peace, we must wage war; if we fail to wage war, we shall never enjoy peace.

[Nec ego pacem nolo, sed pacis nomine bellum involutum reformido. Qua re si pace frui volumus, bellum gerendum est; si bellum omittimus, pace numquam fruemur.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Philippics [Philippicae; Antonian Orations], No. 7, ch. 6 / sec. 19 (7.6/7.19) (43-01 BC) [tr. Manuwald (2007)]
(Source)

On declaring a truce with Mark Antony and his forces, giving Antony's army a chance to grow in number.

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

Nor have I any dislike to peace; only I do dread war disguised under the name of peace. Wherefore, if we wish to enjoy peace we must first wage war. If we shrink from war, peace we shall never have.
[tr. Yonge (1903)]

If we desire to enjoy peace, we must first wage war; if we shrink from war, we shall never enjoy peace.
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]

I do not refuse peace, but war clothed with the name of peace I dread much. Wherefore, if we wish to enjoy peace, we must wage war; if we reject war we shall never enjoy peace.
[tr. Ker (Loeb) (1926)]

Lucas, John Meredyth -- Star Trek, 3×13 “Elaan of Troyius” (20 Dec 1968)

Dave — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:30:45 +0000

PETRI: We cannot make peace with people we detest.

KIRK: Stop trying to kill each other. Then worry about being friendly.

John Meredyth Lucas (1919-2002) American screenwriter
Star Trek, 3×13 “Elaan of Troyius” (20 Dec 1968)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Peace,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

PEACE, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Peace,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
(Source)

Originally published in the "Cynic's Word Book" column in the New York American (1904-12-26), and the "Cynic's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Examiner (1905-01-03).