Dikes Before the Flood
The Romans never allowed disorders to grow with the excuse of avoiding war. Louis waited, empowered enemies, and lost Italy by five named errors. Men change rulers hoping to better themselves and find they have gone from bad to worse. Treat well or crush while the injury is still a choice, not a feud with an army.
Key Insight
Waiting for certainty is often waiting for the other side to finish organizing. Early action looks aggressive to people who wanted another year of talk. Late action looks like fate. The window is while the fever can still be treated.
“men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot.”Full analysis
