Quotes from Thucydides

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.

Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.

The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.

still hope leads men to venture; and no one ever yet put himself in peril without the inward conviction that he would succeed in his design.

Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.

For so remarkably perverse is the nature of man that he despises whoever courts him, and admires whoever will not bend before him.

Of the gods we believe, and of men we know, that by a necessary law of their nature they rule wherever they can.

The sufferings that fate inflicts on us should be borne with patience, what enemies inflict with manly courage.

It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position.

Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.

It is a general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well, and look up to those who make no concessions.

The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.

Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris

Those who have experienced good and bad luck many times have every reason to be skeptical of successes

The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.

we know that there can never be any solid friendship between individuals, or union between communities that is worth the name, unless the parties be persuaded of each others honesty

Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared.

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

We secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.

Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.

The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.

Those who really deserve praise are the people who, while human enough to enjoy power, nevertheless pay more attention to justice than they are compelled to do by their situation.

Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.

Knowledge without understanding is useless.