The coming US election recalls a famous debate described by Thucydides in his History of the Peloponnesian War, concerning how Athens should respond to the revolt of Mytilene. The vote supported those who felt that "those who make wise decisions are more formidable to their enemies than those who rush madly into strong action."
即将举行的美国大选让我想起了修西得底斯在《伯罗奔尼撒战史》中所描绘的一个著名争议，讲的就是雅典人该如何对待米蒂利尼人的反抗。最终的表决结果是：多数人认为"做出明智决定的人比采取疯狂行动的人更能让敌人害怕"。让我们希望这次理性同样能够占据上风。