[April 18, 2025] In a little over a week from today, those of us living in South Jersey will be part of a ceremony to honor a U.S. Marine who was part of the 1st Battalion, 9th Regt “The Walking Dead.” We were asked to read the following Thucydides quote about human nature.
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.” — Thucydides
Thucydides is an Athenian general and politician best known for writing the History of the Peloponnesian War, in which he seeks to understand the influence of war. The book is more than what it appears on the surface.
Long ago, I read his book and learned that what drives us to war has changed little over time. And that the nature of war is linked fundamentally to the human conditions of “fear, honor, and interest.” These characteristics shape us and, in turn, our conduct of war. To illustrate, all we need to do is look at the Israeli-Gaza War to see how culture influences our conduct.
The 30-year war between Athens and Sparta ended with the Athenian defeat and surely colored Thucydides’ writings. But he has given us an appreciation for the idea that our imperfections frequently lead us to war rather than peace. I think this is an important observation because it says that the default human condition is war. Any extended time of peace is unusual and not natural.
Thucydides warns us of the decline in our cultural ideals in long wars and how they can change – sometimes toward malevolence – an observation that is as relevant in modern conflicts. In his thinking, the outcome of war might be counter to what you seek.
Ultimately, Thucydides tells us war is about people, and as they change based on the influence of war, so must the cultures they create:
“Reckless audacity came to be considered the courage of a loyal supporter; prudent hesitation, specious cowardice; moderation was held to be a cloak for unmanliness; ability to see all sides of a question incapacity to act on any. Frantic violence became the attribute of manliness; cautious plotting a justifiable means of self-defense.” — Thucydides, translated by R.B. Strassler (ed), The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to The Peloponnesian War (New York: Touchstone, 1998), 481
Human decision-making, emotions, and actions are attributes that our government leaders reflect in our state’s vital interests and, in turn, our political objectives. Our political objectives, as influenced by fear, honor, and interest, can lead us to war. The current circumstances of America’s alliances with Europe and Asia to block the emerging dominance of China and the military aggression of Russia can lead us to war.
Thucydides correctly warns that our fear, honor, and interest can lead us to places we are not prepared to go.
I think I’m ready for this ceremony, and if anyone asks about Thucydides, I’ll be ready.
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Please read my books:
“Reckless audacity came to be considered the courage of a loyal supporter; prudent hesitation, specious cowardice; moderation was held to be a cloak for unmanliness; ability to see all sides of a question incapacity to act on any. Frantic violence became the attribute of manliness; cautious plotting a justifiable means of self-defense.” — Thucydides, translated by R.B. Strassler (ed), The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to The Peloponnesian War (New York: Touchstone, 1998), 481 —- nice!!!!!!!! 🕷🕷🕷🕷
I think this is why Gen. Satterfield chose the quote.
A little cerebral for me, but hey, I’m no philosopher. Uh, maybe I am.
Sir, best of luck and enjoy your attendance at this ceremony honoring a U.S. Marine from 1/9.
Right, Gen. S. you da man.
Thanks Gen. Satterfield for highlighting this Athenian (not Greek because people then were citizens of their capitols) and there was no real “Greece” as we think of it today. In those days it was more of a loose confederation or maybe just a squabbling family.
What we know about Thucydides is little but what we do know says he was a great man in many ways and his historical description of the war between Athens and Sparta tells us alot about Greece and democracy and war and the influence of each on one an.
In 424, he was elected one of the 10 stratēgoi of the year and, because of his connections, was given command of the fleet in the Thraceward region, based at Thasos. He failed to prevent the capture of the important city of Amphipolis by the Spartan general Brasidas, who launched a sudden attack in the middle of winter. Because of this blunder, Thucydides was recalled, tried, and sentenced to exile. This, he says later, gave him greater opportunity for undistracted study for his History and for travel and wider contacts, especially on the Peloponnesian side—Sparta and its allies.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thucydides-Greek-historian
Yes, adds to what we know about him and perhaps why his writings about “ History of the Peloponnesian War,” is better than most who write the winner’s view.
Good to see you back, Yusaf.
Great info. But let’s not ever forget that this was a time when there were few, if any, historians or at least what we think they are in academia. I digress because today, “historians” are mostly nutjob, liberal, whacko, progressives who do anything but be a historian.