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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

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Thucydides
Historian
Would
Useless
Men
Worse
Failure
Leave
Position
Conquered
Peace
Antiwar
War
Controlled
Even
Attack

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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
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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.
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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.
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We must not disguise from ourselves that we go to found a city among strangers and enemies, and he who undertakes such an enterprise should be prepared to become master of the country the first day he lands, or failing in this find everything hostile to him.
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Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
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War is an evil thing but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse.... Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will ultimately restore our losses, but submission will mean permanent loss of all that we value.... To you who call yourselves men of peace, I say: You are not safe unless you have men of action on your side.
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Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.
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Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
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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.
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I could have wished that the reputations of many brave men were not to be imperilled in the mouth of a single individual, to stand or fall according as he spoke well or ill. For it is hard to speak properly upon a subject where it is even difficult to convince your hearers that you are speaking the truth.
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Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
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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.
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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.
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We Greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.
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when night came on, the Macedonians and the barbarian crowd suddenly took fright in one of those mysterious panics to which great armies are liable
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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.
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For men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
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Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris
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