It is men who make a city, not walls or ships. Thucydides More Quotes by Thucydides More Quotes From Thucydides The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine. Thucydides olivesvineswine Hatred also is short lived; but that which makes the splendor of the present and the glory of the future remains forever unforgotten Thucydides envysimplicityhatred The wide difference between the two characters, the slowness and want of energy of the Spartans as contrasted with the dash and enterprise of their opponents, proved of the greatest service, especially to a maritime empire like Athens. Indeed this was shown by the Syracusans, who were most like the Athenians in character, and also most successful in combating them. Thucydides successfulcharactertwo Men's indignation, it seems, is more exited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior. Thucydides menlooksfirsts Peace is an armistice in a war that is continuously going on. Thucydides armisticewar By day certainly the combatants have a clearer notion, though even then by no means of all that takes place, no one knowing much of anything that does not does not go on in his own immediate neighborhood; but in a night engagement ( and this was the only one that occurred between great armies during the war) how could anyone know anything for certain? Thucydides armywarmean We must not disguise from ourselves that we go to found a city among strangers and enemies, and he who undertakes such an enterprise should be prepared to become master of the country the first day he lands, or failing in this find everything hostile to him. Thucydides landcitiescountry As for democracy, the men of sense among us knew what it was, and I perhaps as well as any, as I have more cause to complain of it; but there is nothing new to be said of a patent absurdity-meanwhile we did not think it safe to alter it under the pressure of your hostility. Thucydides democracymenthinking It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men. Thucydides menrealitypeople The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things... Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of man. Thucydides cowardwisdommen Those who really deserve praise are the people who, while human enough to enjoy power, nevertheless pay more attention to justice than they are compelled to do by their situation. Thucydides justiceattentionpeople The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable. Thucydides alarmsgrowthwar 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. Thucydides honoragemen Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris Thucydides wealthdeedsopportunity The superior gratification derived from the use and contemplation of costly and supposedly beautiful products is, commonly, in great measure a gratification of our sense of costliness masquerading under the name of beauty. Thucydides usenamesbeautiful The Thracian people, like the bloodiest of the barbarians, being ever most murderous when it has nothing to fear. Thucydides barbarianspeople Indeed men too often take upon themselves in the prosecution of their revenge to set the example of doing away with those general laws to which all can look for salvation in adversity, instead of allowing them to subsist against the day of danger when their aid may be required Thucydides adversityrevengemen Wealth to us is not mere material for vainglory but an opportunity for achievement; and poverty we think it no disgrace to acknowledge but a real degredation to make no effort to overcome. Thucydides realopportunitythinking But the prize for courage will surely be awarded most justly to those who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger. Thucydides hardshippleasuredifferences Stories happen to those who tell them. Thucydides storieshappens
