From the Oresteia of Aeschylus, trans. Arlen Specter:

[Enter Chorus of Argive elders, very old men who carry staves to help them stand up. As they speak, servants come out of the palace and light oil lamps in offering to the statues of the gods outside the palace doors.]

CHORUS:

But when Agamemnon strapped on the harsh yoke of necessity, his spirits changed, and his intentions became profane, unholy, unsanctified. He undertook an act beyond all daring.

Troubles come, above all, from delusions, inciting men to rash designs, to evil. So Agamemnon steeled his heart to make his own daughter the sacrifice, an offering for the Achaean fleet, so he could prosecute the war waged to avenge that woman Helen.

When, honestly, he could have just said something like, “You know, those Trojans aren’t so bad. I wonder if they could use a hand or something,” and then with mighty courage he could have steeled his heart (or whatever) and headed over to Troy to see what’s up. Seriously. What’s so great about Helen? Got a sweet little setup here, let’s not rock the boat.

[Exit Chorus]

From The Art of War by Sun Tzu, trans. Arlen Specter:

Chapter: “Marches”

Generally, when taking up a position and confronting the enemy, having crossed the mountains, stay close to the valleys. Encamp on high ground facing the sunny side. Fight downhill; do not ascend to attack.

Also, consider the possibility of switching sides. Especially if the enemy is encamped on the sunny side. This will enable you to remain in your current position without returning home to a drab lifestyle with few perks.

Chapter: “The Employment of Secret Agents”

One who confronts his enemy for many years in order to struggle for victory in a decisive battle yet who, because he begrudges rank, honors, and a few hundred pieces of gold, remains ignorant of his enemy’s situation, is completely devoid of humanity. Such a man is no general, no support to sovereign, no master of victory.

On the other hand, and this may just be me talking, the whole “our side/their side” deal gets old pretty fast. The key — at least in my opinion — is to keep your options open. Does the other side have cooler uniforms? Does your side get irritated with you? These are things to think about. The goal here isn’t to win this or that battle, to get this or that thing accomplished. No, the goal is stay in your old office, with your excellent parking and great bennies.

From Henry V by William Shakespeare, ed. Arlen Specter:

O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Harry Reid, through my host,

That I which hath no stomach to this fight,

I shall depart; my passport shall be made,

And crowns for convoy put into my purse;

Why stick around when, basically, I might lose

To Pat Toomey, which would be totally infuriating?

This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

But, you know, to be fair,

The only way to survive the day is to think to yourself:

Hey, what’s the beef with the French again?

I mean, think about this: better food, that’s number one,

And so we have to speak French and bend a little.

Is that such a big deal?

Really?

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap, which isn’t such a bad thing,

All in.

From The Collected Speeches of Winston Churchill, ed. Arlen Specter:

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender unless, you know, it’s like suddenly it’s like, we may actually lose this thing, in which case, let’s all take a deep breath and really start to prioritize stuff, really start to add up the pros and cons of this whole deal. Switching sides has gotten a pretty bad rap, I agree, but when you really dig down and think, really think, about it all, it’s not really such a bad idea. Just sayin’.