The Greeks by their laws, and the Romans by the spirit of their people, took care to put into the hands of their rulers no such engine of oppression as a standing army. Their system was to make every man a soldier, and oblige him to repair to the standard of his country whenever that was reared. This made them invincible and the same remedy will make us so.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance the Greeks and Romans placed on avoiding the existence of a standing army under the control of their rulers. Instead, they relied on a system that compelled every man to become a soldier and serve his country when needed. The quote suggests that this approach made the Greeks and Romans invincible, indicating that a similar remedy can achieve the same result. It highlights the belief that a citizenry united in defense of their nation's cause can be a formidable force against oppression.