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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.
Thucydides
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Thucydides
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More quotes by Thucydides
He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.
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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.
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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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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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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
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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.
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I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire.
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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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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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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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We secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.
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The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
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Men do not rest content with parrying the attacks of a superior, but often strike the first blow to prevent the attack being made.
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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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Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
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It is men who make a city, not walls or ships.
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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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For we both alike know that into the discussion of human affairs the question of justice enters only where the pressure of necessity is equal, and that the powerful exact what they can, and the weak grant what they must.
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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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The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
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