Indeed it is generally the case that men are readier to call rogues clever than simpletons honest, and are ashamed of being the second as they are proud of being the first.
- Thucydides
More Quotes By Thucydides
Athens’ biggest worry was the sheer recklessness of its own democratic government. A simple majority of the citizenry,... War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse…. Freedom, if... The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.
The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger... We must remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who... Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote... Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in... Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more... You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.
A private man, however successful in his own dealing, if his country perish is involved in her destruction;... When will there be justice in Athens? There will be justice in Athens when those who are not... We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but... Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.
Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared.
It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.
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