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The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Alarm
Alarms
Inevitable
Inspired
Growth
War
Sparta
Power
Athenians
Made
Athens

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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 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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Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
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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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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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For men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
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Knowledge without understanding is useless.
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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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In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
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I have written my work, not as an essay which is to win the applause of the moment, but as a possession for all time
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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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It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.
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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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Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others as long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous.
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Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
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They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger.
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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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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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In a word I claim that our city as a whole is an education to Greece.
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