Top 15 Thucydides Quotes

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

Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much 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.

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.

"For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men. Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war."

[Funeral Oration of Pericles]

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

Ignorance is bold, and knowledge is reserved

You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.

When will there be justice in Athens? There will be justice in Athens when those who are not injured are as outraged as those who are.

The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.

When one is deprived of ones liberty, one is right in blaming not so much the man who puts the shackles on as the one who had the power to prevent him, but did not use it.

War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.

In practice we always base our preparations against an enemy on the assumption that his plans are good; indeed, it is right to rest our hopes not on a belief in his blunders, but on the soundness of our provisions. Nor ought we to believe that there is much difference between man and man, but to think that the superiority lies with him who is reared in the severest school.

Peace is an armistice in a war that is continuously going on.

A man who has the knowledge but lacks the power clearly to express it is no better off than if he never had any ideas at all.