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About this quote

What does it mean?
If I cannot persuade the gods, I will stir up the forces of hell.
In plain terms
If I can't change things fairly, I will use force or trickery.
What can you take from it?
People may resort to extreme measures when normal avenues fail.

Where it applies

  • political strife
  • conflict resolution
  • bureaucracy

Putting it to work

  • explore all options
  • avoid unethical tactics
  • build influence

Questions to consider

  • When have you felt forced to take extreme measures?
  • Is there a better way to achieve your goal?

Another view

Using dark methods often creates more problems than it solves.

More from Virgil

  1. Quisque suos patimur Manes.

    Permalink to quote #20

  2. Audentes fortuna iuvat

    Permalink to quote #22

  3. Facilis descensus Averni: noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis; sed revocare gradium superasque evadere ad auras. hoc opus, hic labor est.

    Permalink to quote #19

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