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If it had not been for the pernicious power of envy, men would not so have exalted vengeance above innocence and profit above justice... in these acts of revenge on others, men take it upon themselves to begin the process of repealing those general laws of humanity which are there to give a hope of salvation to all who are in distress.

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Men
Hope
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Laws
Vengeance
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General
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Would
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More quotes by Thucydides

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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.
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Hope, danger's comforter
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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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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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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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In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
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He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.
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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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we know that there can never be any solid friendship between individuals, or union between communities that is worth the name, unless the parties be persuaded of each others honesty
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Knowledge without understanding is useless.
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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 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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The secret of freedom, courage.
Thucydides
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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.
Thucydides
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Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
Thucydides
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For men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
Thucydides
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Indeed it is generally the case that men are readier to call rogues clever than simpletons honest, and are ashamed of being the second as they are proud of being the first.
Thucydides
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The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.
Thucydides
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The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
Thucydides
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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.
Thucydides