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Yet it was long a subject of dispute among mankind, whether military efforts were more advanced by strength of body, or by force of intellect. For, in affairs of war, it is necessary to plan before beginning to act,It is necessary to plan before beginning to act] Priusquam incipias, consulto—opus est. Most translators have rendered consulto " deliberation," or something equivalent; but it is planning or contrivance that is signified. Demosthenes, in his Oration de Pace, reproaches the Athenians with acting without any settled plan: and, after planning, to act with promptitude and vigor.'To act with promptitude and vigor] Maturè facto opus est. "Maturè facto" seems to include the notions both of promptitude and vigor, of force as well as speed; for what would be the use of acting expeditiously, unless expedition be attended with power and effect ? Thus, eachEach] Utrumque. The corporeal and mental faculties. being insufficient of itself, the one requires the assistance of the other."The one requires the assistance of the other] Alterum alterius auxilio eget. " Eget," says Cortius, "is the reading of all the MSS." Veget, which Havercamp and some others have adopted, was the conjecture of Palmerius, on account of indigens occurring in the same sentence. But eget agrees far better with consulto et—maturè facto opus est, in the preceding sentence.