Share
×
Inspirational Quotes
Authors
Professions
Topics
Tags
Quote
Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.
Thucydides
Share
Change background
T
T
T
Change font
Original
TAGS & TOPICS
Thucydides
Historian
Patience
Politics
Power
Men
Impresses
Manifestations
Restraint
Impress
Manifestation
More quotes by Thucydides
As for democracy, the men of sense among us knew what it was, and I perhaps as well as any, as I have more cause to complain of it but there is nothing new to be said of a patent absurdity-meanwhile we did not think it safe to alter it under the pressure of your hostility.
Thucydides
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.
Thucydides
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.
Thucydides
So little trouble do men take in the search after truth so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.
Thucydides
Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage.
Thucydides
Wealth to us is not mere material for vainglory but an opportunity for achievement and poverty we think it no disgrace to acknowledge but a real degredation to make no effort to overcome.
Thucydides
But the prize for courage will surely be awarded most justly to those who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger.
Thucydides
Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
Thucydides
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.
Thucydides
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.
Thucydides
Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage.
Thucydides
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
We Greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.
Thucydides
And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.
Thucydides
The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
Thucydides
For men can endure to hear others praised only so long as they can severally persuade themselves of their own ability to equal the actions recounted: when this point is passed, envy comes in and with it incredulity.
Thucydides
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
Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
Thucydides
It must be thoroughly understood that war is a necessity, and that the more readily we accept it,the less will be the ardor of our opponents, and that out of the greatest dangers communities and individuals acquire the greatest glory.
Thucydides
Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
Thucydides
