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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
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More quotes by 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.
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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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Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris
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If you give way, you will instantly have to meet some greater demand, as having been frightened into obedience in the first instance while a firm refusal will make them clearly understand that they must treat you more as equals.
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Knowledge without understanding is useless.
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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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Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
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Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage.
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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.
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The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
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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.
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The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
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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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Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
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... Athenians are addicted to innovation. They are daring beyond their judgment they toil on with little opportunity for enjoying, being ever engaged in getting, they were born into the world to take no rest themselves, and to give none to others.
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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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So little trouble do men take in the search after truth so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.
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Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
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Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit but a just contempt of an enemy can alone arise in those who feel that they are superior to their opponent by the prudence of their measures.
Thucydides
