It seems to me that some of the ancients had a better appreciation for chance than we do, especially in public affairs. Many of the speeches in Thucydides' Hist

It seems to me that some of the ancients had a better appreciation for chance than we do, especially in public affairs. Many of the speeches in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War caution that though a warring party may be strong, luck is a huge part of war. We hardly have George Bush saying "we are pretty strong, but Iraq could go either way depending on luck." Our politicians speak with such certainty about the future.