To take up great resolutions, and then to lay them aside, only ends in dishonor. - Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar

Times can make great quotes change with time. I would think that at the time of that particular quote it was more about the failure of a leader who talked his clan into raiding or warring with another only to at the last moment back out and sell out his people, greed has run in the world since we first started trading things.

A caution to the leader, or to the people? or to both?