We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing
You know and we know, as practical men that the question of justice arises only between parties equal in strength and that the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.
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.
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.
Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others as long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous.
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.
In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.
Difficulty of subsistence made the invaders reduce the numbers of the army to a point at which it might live on the country during the prosecution of the war.
It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.
We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them.
They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life do not on that account shrink from danger.
Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
The secret to happiness is freedom… And the secret to freedom is courage.
Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.
Men’s indignation, it seems, is more excited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.