Incomprehensible Blathering

The shallow stream is easily crossed. The shallow mind, even more so.

20041012

Proverb on War

A great war leaves the country with three armies - an army of cripples, an army of mourners, and an army of thieves. -German proverb

posted by Merthin @ 10/12/2004 08:00:00 AM  

2 Comments:

  • At 10/13/2004 04:46:00 PM, Blogger Merthin said…

    I think it would be #7 below. (This taken from http://www.dictionary.com)

    great Audio pronunciation of "great" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (grt)
    adj. great·er, great·est

    1. Very large in size.
    2. Larger in size than others of the same kind.
    3. Large in quantity or number: A great throng awaited us. See Synonyms at large.
    4. Extensive in time or distance: a great delay.
    5. Remarkable or outstanding in magnitude, degree, or extent: a great crisis.
    6. Of outstanding significance or importance: a great work of art.
    7. Chief or principal: the great house on the estate.
    8. Superior in quality or character; noble: “For he was great, ere fortune made him so” (John Dryden).
    9. Powerful; influential: one of the great nations of the West.
    10. Eminent; distinguished: a great leader.
    11. Grand; aristocratic.
    12. Informal. Enthusiastic: a great lover of music.
    13. Informal. Very skillful: great at algebra.
    14. Informal. Very good; first-rate: We had a great time at the dance.
    15. Being one generation removed from the relative specified. Often used in combination: a great-granddaughter.
    16. Archaic. Pregnant.

     

  • At 10/14/2004 12:06:00 PM, Blogger Merthin said…

    I was actually only reacting to your statement about Great Britain. I agree whole-heartedly that a war should never be called "great" at least in the current vernacular. - Sorry. I've been a little tired lately and as a result, literal-minded. ;-)

     

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