When tremendous dangers are involved, no one can be blamed for looking to his own interest.
ThucydidesIt is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.
ThucydidesFor if many ill-conceived plans have succeeded through the still greater lack of judgment of an opponent, many more, apparently well laid, have on the contrary ended in disgrace. The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
Thucydides