Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the gods. Herodotus More Quotes by Herodotus More Quotes From Herodotus It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a days journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed. Herodotus horse journey rain God does not suffer presumption in anyone but himself. Herodotus presumption suffering doe Although extraordinary valor was displayed by the entire corps of Spartans and Thespians, yet bravest of all was declared the Spartan Dienekes. It is said that on the eve of battle, he was told by a native of Trachis that the Persian archers were so numerous that, their arrows would block out the sun. Dienekes, however, undaunted by this prospect, remarked with a laugh, 'Good. Then we will fight in the shade. Herodotus archer block fighting A woman takes off her claim to respect along with her garments. Herodotus garments women respect And now for the vapor-bath: on a framework of three sticks, meeting at the top, they stretch pieces of woolen cloth, taking care to get the joints as perfect as they can, and inside this little tent they put a dish with red-hot stones in it. Then they take some hemp seed, creep into the tent, and throw the seed on to the hot stones. At once it begins to smoke, giving off a vapor unsurpassed by any vapor-bath one could find in Greece. The Sythians enjoy it so much that they howl with pleasure. This is their substitute for an ordinary bath in water, which they never use. Herodotus giving water war In peace children inter their parents, war violates the order of nature and causes parents to inter their children. Herodotus inspirational peace children Dreams in general take their rise from those incidents which have most occupied the thoughts during the day. Herodotus incidents dream To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing. Herodotus advice giving thinking A man calumniated is doubly injured -- first by him who utters the calumny, and then by him who believes it. Herodotus calumny-is men believe The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless. Herodotus luck sides men If someone were to put a proposition before men bidding them choose, after examination, the best customs in the world, each nation would certainly select its own Herodotus bidding men world It is sound planning that invariably earns us the outcome we want; without it, even the gods are unlikely to look with favour on our designs. Herodotus favour design outcomes Great things are won by great dangers. Herodotus great-things danger Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks. Herodotus suicide writing death Remember that with her clothes a woman puts off her modesty. Herodotus modesty clothes remember The worst pain a man can have is to know much and be impotent to act. Herodotus pain men knowledge It is the gods' custom to bring low all things of surpassing greatness. Herodotus surpassing greatness lows For as the body grows old, so the wits grow old and become blind towards all things alike. Herodotus wit blind body Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular view which may have been brought forward. Herodotus decision views opportunity The Scythians take kannabis seed, creep in under the felts, and throw it on the red-hot stones. It smolders and sends up such billows of steam-smoke that no Greek vapor bath can surpass it. The Scythians howl with joy in these vapor-baths, which serve them instead of bathing, for they never wash their bodies with water. Herodotus greek joy water
