2 Samuel 10:11

And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

Ver. 11. If the Syrians be too strong for me.] As the issue of war is uncertain, and the best cause hath not always the best success. Howbeit inasmuch as the concord of the commanders is of great consequence, and proeliorum delicta emendationem non patiantur, a Errors in war are not to be corrected, Joab prudently maketh this agreement with his brother Abishai. The discord of the Christian commanders in the Holy Land, as they called it, was the loss of so much blood and treasure there, to the dishonour of religion, and the encourragement of the common enemy.

a Veget., lib. i. cap. 14.