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About this quote

What does it mean?
Adversity teaches cities to build defenses better than friendship does.
In plain terms
Enemies force cities to build walls while friends do not.
What can you take from it?
Danger teaches more about defense than safety does.

Where it applies

  • urban planning
  • security discussion
  • political theory

Putting it to work

  • preparing for threats
  • valuing caution

Questions to consider

  • Does fear build better cities?
  • Do friends protect us?

Another view

It implies safety comes only from fear rather than cooperation.

More from Aristophanes

  1. Cloud cuckoo land

    Permalink to quote #1
  2. Let Each Man Exercise The Art He Knows.

    Permalink to quote #3

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