A certain peace is better and safer than a victory in prospect; the former is at your own disposal, the latter depends upon the gods.
Men are only clever at shifting blame from their own shoulders to those of others.
Resistance to criminal rashness comes better late than never.
The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.
The best known evil is the most tolerable.
Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.