Quote

Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other

Thucydides

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Thucydides
Historian
Equally
Basis
Bases
Afraid
Sure
Party
Alliance
Alliances

More quotes by Thucydides

Image
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
Image
He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.
Thucydides
Image
It is men who make a city, not walls or ships.
Thucydides
Image
Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
Thucydides
Image
Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
Thucydides
Image
So little trouble do men take in the search after truth so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides
Image
Knowledge without understanding is useless.
Thucydides
Image
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
Image
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
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides
Image
And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.
Thucydides
Image
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.
Thucydides
Image
The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
Thucydides
Image
Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
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
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
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
Image
Hope, danger's comforter
Thucydides