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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?
  

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.

— Philip

  • 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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6 Answers
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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.
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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"?
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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.....
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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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