History of the Peloponnesian War

Deliberate therefore slowly, as on no trifling matters; and do not, through being influenced by other people's views and accusations, bring on yourselves trouble of your own: but consider before on previously to your being engaged in it, how for when long protracted, it generally comes in the end to depend on chances;

from which we are equally removed, and run the risk in uncertainty as to which way it will turn out.