“It is no disgrace for men to yield to the stronger.”Tucidide · Istoria războiului peloponesiac · -400 · IV, 19
Yielding to a superior force is an act of wisdom, not shame.
Thucydides speaks about political realism and accepting power relations. Submitting to a superior opponent is not cowardice but practical wisdom. Shame comes from stubbornness that leads to unnecessary losses. For example, a small city that surrenders to a large army to save its inhabitants acts rationally, not shamefully.
Why it matters Today, it teaches us to realistically assess conflict situations and choose which battles are worth fighting, avoiding destructive pride.