Quote

Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.

Thucydides

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Thucydides
Historian
Courage
Sense
Three
Gravest
Failings
Vigilance
Failing

More quotes by Thucydides

Image
In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
Thucydides
Image
The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.
Thucydides
Image
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
Image
Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides
Image
The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
Thucydides
Image
Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
Thucydides
Image
speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
Thucydides
Image
Those who have experienced good and bad luck many times have every reason to be skeptical of successes
Thucydides
Image
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
Image
Indeed men too often take upon themselves in the prosecution of their revenge to set the example of doing away with those general laws to which all can look for salvation in adversity, instead of allowing them to subsist against the day of danger when their aid may be required
Thucydides
Image
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
Image
Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage.
Thucydides
Image
For men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
Thucydides
Image
Knowledge without understanding is useless.
Thucydides
Image
It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.
Thucydides
Image
Hope, danger's comforter
Thucydides
Image
... 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.
Thucydides
Image
Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides