Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
Courage consists not in hazarding without fear but being resolutely minded in a just cause.
It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man’s oration, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in it’s place is a work extremely troublesome.
A mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be lighted.
The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
To make an action honorable, it ought to be agreeable to the age, and other circumstances of the person; since it is circumstance and proper measure that give an action its character, and make it either good or bad.
But the Lacedaemonians, who make it their first principle of action to serve their country’s interest, know not any thing to be just or unjust by any measure but that.
For there is no virtue, the honor and credit for which procures a man more odium than that of justice; and this, because more than any other, it acquires a man power and authority among the common people.
The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.
It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp.
The man who is completely wise and virtuous has no need of glory, except so far as it…eases his way to action by the greater trust that it procures him.
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
Small, therefore, can we think the progress we have made, as long as our admiration for those who have done noble things is barren, and does not of itself incite us to imitate them.
I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.
That which is chiefly the office of a general, to force the enemy into fighting when he finds himself the stronger, and to avoid being driven into it himself when he is the weaker…
Vultures are the most righteous of birds: they do not attack even the smallest living creature.
The future bears down upon each one of us with all the hazards of the unknown. The only way out is through.
He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.
So long as he was personally present, [Alcibiades] had the perfect mastery of his political adversaries; calumny only succeeded in his absence.
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
From their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.
He shall fare well who confronts circumstances aright.
To make no mistake is not in the power of man but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
From their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
It is a hard matter my fellow citizens to argue with the belly since it has no ears.
Prosperity is not just scale adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
Themistocles said “The Athenians govern the Greeks I govern the Athenians you my wife govern me your son governs you.”
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
Agesilaus the Spartan king was once invited to hear a mimic imitate the nightingale but declined with the comment that he had heard the nightingale itself.
No man ever wetted clay and then left it as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.
Forgetfulness transforms every occurrence into a non-occurrence.
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood.
The present offers itself to our touch for only an instant of time and then eludes the senses.
Many things which cannot be overcome when they are together yield themselves up when taken little by little.
It is a difficult task Oh citizens to make speeches to the belly which has no ears.
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.
The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.
No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.
I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod my shadow does that much better.
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.