Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe. Demosthenes More Quotes by Demosthenes More Quotes From Demosthenes Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. Demosthenes businessmotivationalinspirational Since we are not yet fully comfortable with the idea that people from the next village are as human as ourselves, it is presumptuous in the extreme to suppose we could ever look at sociable, tool-making creatures who are from other evolutionary paths and see not beasts, but brothers, not rivals, but fellow pilgrims journeying to the shrine of intelligence...The difference... is not in the creature judged, but in the creature judging. Demosthenes differencesbrotherideas A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true. Demosthenes menbelievereligion There are all kinds of devices invented for the protection and preservation of countries: defensive barriers, forts, trenches, and the like... But prudent minds have as a natural gift one safeguard which is the common possession of all, and this applies especially to the dealings of democracies. What is this safeguard? Skepticism. This you must preserve. This you must retain. If you can keep this, you need fear no harm. Demosthenes trustmindcountry Success has a great tendency to conceal and throw a veil over the evil deeds of men. Demosthenes veilsevilmen All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action. Demosthenes emptyspeechaction Nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self; for what we wish, that we readily believe; but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things. Demosthenes realselfbelieve It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind, the lower parts should have the greatest firmness--so the grounds and principles of actions should be just and true. Demosthenes gayshould-havefall Nothing is easier than self-deceit. Demosthenes deceiteasierself Do you remember that in classical times when Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, "How well he spoke" but when Demosthenes had finished speaking, they said, "Let us march. Demosthenes marchrememberpeople The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them. Demosthenes protectionbelievepeople The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and who thinks his fortune is most secure, knows not if it will remain unchanged till the evening. Demosthenes eveningmenthinking Clouds cannot cover secret places, nor denials conceal truth. Demosthenes secret-placessecretclouds The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once. Demosthenes benefitsmenfacts No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods. Demosthenes willinghelpingmen We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done. Demosthenes need-moneydoneneeds It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man's thought must always follow his employment. Demosthenes nobleimpossiblemen What a man wishes, he will believe. Demosthenes wishmenbelieve Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great. Demosthenes greatnessgood-things Nothing is more easy than to deceive one's self, as our affections are subtle persuaders. Demosthenes affectiondeceitself
