Pructus Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Demosthenes
"Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master." -Demosthenes
Hi,
What does this quote of Demosthenes mean?
Hi,
What does this quote of Demosthenes mean?
Top answer
Without more context, it's somewhat difficult to determine, exactly. But, here's my take: If a country is too much afraid to stand up for itself against a possibly stronger country, just to avoid war, they may find themselves under the control of that threatening country. It might be better to fight than to give in too quickly.
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Without more context, it's somewhat difficult to determine, exactly. But, here's my take:
If a country is too much afraid to stand up for itself against a possibly stronger country, just to avoid war, they may find themselves under the control of that threatening country. It might be better to fight than to give in too quickly.
If a country is too much afraid to stand up for itself against a possibly stronger country, just to avoid war, they may find themselves under the control of that threatening country. It might be better to fight than to give in too quickly.
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Benjamin Franklin had a slightly different twist: Those who would give up liberty for security deserve neither. (Approx.)
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Thanks, Avangi....
Could you break the sentence to show the structure?
Is it, "Beware, lest (in your anxiety) to avoid war, you obtain a master."?
"lest to do" is also possible? Isn't it, "lest that S + should"?
Could you break the sentence to show the structure?
Is it, "Beware, lest (in your anxiety) to avoid war, you obtain a master."?
"lest to do" is also possible? Isn't it, "lest that S + should"?
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pructusIs it, "Beware, lest (in your anxiety) to avoid war, you obtain a master."?No. Wrong parsing. "to avoid war" describes the kind of anxiety. It's not "lest to avoid"; it's "lest you obtain".
Beware
lest
( in your anxiety in ~ because of
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Ah, Haaaa!!
Thanks Calif....
Your explanation turned me into all smiles.....
Thanks Calif....
Your explanation turned me into all smiles.....
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See any single appeasement lobby, most famously Chamberlain before WWII. If you are too anxious to avoid a war, certain types of people are all too ready to abuse that by making demands and threatening you with war unless you comply.
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