It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disasters to discuss the matter. Thucydides More Quotes by Thucydides More Quotes From Thucydides Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear. Thucydides storiespeoplefirsts The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept. Thucydides strengthstrongpeace War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse.... Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will ultimately restore our losses, but submission will mean permanent loss of all that we value.... To you who call yourselves men of peace, I say: You are not safe unless you have men of action on your side. Thucydides losswarmean The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it. Thucydides positiveinspirationallife Knowledge without understanding is useless. Thucydides uselessunderstanding Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay. Thucydides issuesselfishthinking We must remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who is trained in the severest school. Thucydides militarymenschool Athens' biggest worry was the sheer recklessness of its own democratic government. A simple majority of the citizenry, urged on and incensed by clever demagogues, might capriciously send out military forces in unnecessary and exhausting adventures. Thucydides militarycleveradventure Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there. Thucydides constanthuman-naturehumans Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage. Thucydides self-controlself-respectself-esteem Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils. Thucydides ambitionwarpeace Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved. Thucydides atheismignorancereligion 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. Thucydides athensinjuredjustice You shouldn't feel sorry for the lifestyle you haven't tasted, but for the one you are about to lose Thucydides lifestylemodernsorry He who graduates the harshest school, succeeds. Thucydides graduatessucceedschool For so remarkably perverse is the nature of man that he despises whoever courts him, and admires whoever will not bend before him. Thucydides courtdespisemen 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. Thucydides opponentscommunitywar Don't confuse meaning with truth. Thucydides 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. Thucydides successfulmencountry We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing Thucydides greekmenbelieve
