Thucydides Quotes

We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing

The Nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.

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.

People are inclined to accept all stories of ancient times in an uncritical way -even when those stories concern their own native counties...Most people, in fact, will not take trouble in finding out the truth, but are more inclined to accept the first story they hear.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.

I think the two things most opposed to good counsel are haste and passion; haste usaully goes hand in hand with folly, passion with coarseness and narrowness of mind.