Stalin’s Law
Joseph Stalin
You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Swift’s Maxim
Jonathan Swift
Those to whom everybody allows the second place have an undoubted title to the first.
The Trollope Ploy
Anthony Trollope
To interpret - or willfully misinterpret - a message in the most favourable manner to oneself.
Thoreau’s Third Law
Henry David Thoreau
The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready and it may be a long time before they get off.
Thucydides’s Law of Peace and War
Thucydides
In times of peace and prosperity, cities and individuals alike follow higher standards because they are not forced into a situation where they have to do what they do not want to do. But war is a stern teacher; in depriving them of the power of easily satisfying their wants it brings most people’s minds down to the level of their actual circumstances.
Truman’s First Law
Harry S. Truman
The buck stops here.
Urquhart’s Rule of Diplomacy
Brian Urquhardt
Don’t dive into an empty pool.
Vegetius’s Maxim
Flavius Vegetius
He therefore who desires peace should prepare for war.
Aiken’s Solution
George Aiken
Claim victory and retreat.
Camp’s Law
Anon
A coup that is known about in advance is a coup that does not take place.
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