Rome remained great as long as she had enemies who forced her to unity, vision, and heroism. When she had overcome them all she flourished for a moment and then began to die.

Durant Will (2003) An Invitation to Philosophy: Essays and Talks on the Love of Wisdom. 2 which never saw publication. He makes a mighty fine talk.

William James Durant (November 5 1885 – November 7 1981) was a prolific American writer historian and philosopher. He sought to unify and humanize the great body of historical knowledge which had grown too voluminous and become fragmented into esoteric specialties and to vitalize it for contemporary application. He is best known for The Story of Civilization 11 volumes written in collaboration with his wife Ariel Durant and publiWill Durantd between 1935 and 1975.