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 Copy Share Image
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
It is the habit of mankind to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept. — Thucydides Copy Share Image
It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position... — Thucydides Copy Share Image
War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse.... Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
Men do not rest content with parrying the attacks of a superior, but often strike the first blow to prevent the attack being made. — Thucydides Copy Share Image
As for democracy, the men of sense among us knew what it was, and I perhaps as well as any, as I have more… — Thucydides Copy Share Image
