The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

I am not insensible, brother Shandy, that when a man whose profession is arms, wishes, as I have done, for war, -- it has an ill aspect to the world; -- -- -and that, how just and right soever his motives and intentions may be, -- he stands in an uneasy posture in vindicating himself from private views in doing it.

For this cause, if a soldier is a prudent man, which he may be without being a jot the less brave, he will be sure not to utter his wish in the hearing of an enemy; for say what he will, an enemy will not believe him.