Thucydides Quotes - Page 2

Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris

You shouldn't feel sorry for the lifestyle you haven't tasted, but for the one you are about to lose

He who graduates the harshest school, succeeds.

In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.

It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.

If you give way, you will instantly have to meet some greater demand, as having been frightened into obedience in the first instance; while a firm refusal will make them clearly understand that they must treat you more as equals.

Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.

You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

In general, the men of lower intelligence won out. Afraid of their own shortcomings and of the intelligence of their opponents, so that they would not lose out in reasoned argument or be taken by surprise by their quick-witted opponents, they boldly moved into action. Their enemies,on the contrary, contemptuous and confident in their ability to anticipate, thought there was no need to take by action what they could win by their brains.

When will there be justice in Athens? There will be justice in Athens when those who are not injured are as outraged as those who are.

There is no need to suppose that human beings differ very much one from another; but it is true that the ones who come out on top are the ones who have been trained in the hardest school.

A private man, however successful in his own dealing, if his country perish is involved in her destruction; but if he be an unprosperous citizen of a prosperous city, he is much more likely to recover. Seeing, then, that States can bear the misfortunes of individuals, but individuals cannot bear the misfortunes of States, let us all stand by our country.

Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.

We secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.

So little trouble do men take in the search after truth; so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.

For so remarkably perverse is the nature of man that he despises whoever courts him, and admires whoever will not bend before him.

We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing

One's sense of honor is the only thing that does not grow old, and the last pleasure, when one is worn out with age, is not, as the poet said, making money, but having the respect of one's fellow men.

It is men who make a city, not walls or ships.

Stories happen to those who tell them.

Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.

And where the rewards for merit are greatest, there are found the best citizens.

Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.

It must be thoroughly understood that war is a necessity, and that the more readily we accept it,the less will be the ardor of our opponents, and that out of the greatest dangers communities and individuals acquire the greatest glory.