And since, at Ligny, in Barrois, where the Count de Brienne commanded, the emperor having in his own person beleaguered that place, and Bertheville, the said Count's lieutenant, going out to parley, whilst he was capitulating the town was taken.
"Fu il vincer sempremai laudabil cosa, Vincasi o per fortuna, o per ingegno," ["Victory is ever worthy of praise, whether obtained by valour or wisdom."-- Ariosto, xv.

I.] But the philosopher Chrysippus was of another opinion, wherein I also concur; for he was used to say that those who run a race ought to employ all the force they have in what they are about, and to run as fast as they can; but that it is by no means fair in them to lay any hand upon their adversary to stop him, nor to set a leg before him to throw him down.

And yet more generous was the answer of that great Alexander to Polypercon who was persuading him to take the advantage of the night's obscurity to fall upon Darius.

"By no means," said be; "it is not for such a man as I am to steal a victory, 'Malo me fortunae poeniteat, quam victoria pudeat.'"-- ["I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory." Quint.

Curt, iv.