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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.

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Take
Whatever
Men
Comes
Hands
Readily
Truth
Search
Littles
Accept
Little
Accepting
Firsts
Trouble
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More quotes by Thucydides

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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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Hatred also is short lived but that which makes the splendor of the present and the glory of the future remains forever unforgotten here we bless your simplicity but do not envy your folly.
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Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
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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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War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.
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I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire.
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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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Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
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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.
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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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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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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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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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Men's indignation, it seems, is more exited by legal wrong than by violent wrong the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.
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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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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
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In peace and prosperity states and individuals have better sentiments, because they do not find themselves suddenly confronted with imperious necessities but war takes away the easy supply of daily wants and so proves a rough master that brings most men's characters to a level with their fortunes
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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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It is men who make a city, not walls or ships.
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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
Thucydides