Pericles Quotes

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.

Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!

I am more afraid of our own mistakes than of our enemies' designs.

Better die standing than live kneeling.

Those who can think, but cannot express what they think, place themselves at the level of those who cannot think.

We do not say that a man who takes no interest in public affairs is a man who minds his own business. We say he has no business being here at all.

As for poverty, no one need be ashamed to admit it, the real shame is in not taking practical measures to escape from it.

Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors', but is an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit

Those who can truly be accounted brave are those who best know the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then go out, undeterred, to meet what is to come.

Time is the wisest counselor of all.

Having knowledge but lacking the power to express it clearly is no better than never having any ideas at all.

In private matters everyone is equal before the law. In public matters, when it is a question of putting power and responsibility into the hands of one man rather than another, what counts is not rank or money, but the ability to do the job well.

Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now.

Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.

A woman's greatest glory is to be little talked about by men, whether for good or ill.

It is difficult to argue with the belly, for it has no ears.

Instead of looking on discussion as a stumbling block in the way of action, we think it an indispensable preliminary to any wise action at all.

Famous men have the whole earth as their memorial.

We do not imitate, but are a model to others.

Although only a few may originate a policy, we are all able to judge it.

Just because you are not interested in politics, does not mean that politics is not interested in you.

To face calamity with a mind as unclouded as may be, and quickly to react against it-that in a city and in an individual-is real strength.

We Athenians hold that it is not poverty that is disgraceful but the failure to struggle against it.

She is best who is least spoken of among men, whether for good or evil.