"I have spent my life laboriously doing nothing."

26 likes

Source: A Sociobiology Compendium: Aphorisms, Sayings, Aside. Book by Delbert D. Thiessen, p. 18, 1998.

About the author

Hugo Grotius

Philosopher

Hugo Grotius was a Dutch jurist and philosopher, known for his foundational work in international law and natural rights, particularly in 'On the Law of War and Peace.'

All quotes by Hugo Grotius →

Same author

More quotes by Hugo Grotius

See all →
Hugo Grotius Philosopher

"A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot govern a city; he cannot govern a city if he cannot govern a family; he cannot govern a family unless he can govern himself; and he cannot govern himself unless his passions are subject to reason"

Read quote
Hugo Grotius Philosopher

"Men rush to arms for slight causes, or no cause at all, and once taken up there is no longer any respect for law, divine or human."

Read quote
Hugo Grotius Philosopher

"I saw in the whole Christian world a license of fighting at which even barbarous nations might blush. Wars were begun on trifling pretexts or none at all, and carried on without any reference of law, Divine or human."

Read quote