Much greater glory to capture the goodwill of cities than their walls

For it is a much greater glory to capture the goodwill of cities than their walls. For achievements like the latter not only engender ill-will, but men attribute the credit for them to your armies. Yet if you are able to win friendships and goodwill, all will praise the wisdom shown by you. Isocrates. Ad Philippum. Letter 2. Section 21.

Image: Detail from The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Francesco Hayez, 1867 at the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, Italy. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.