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

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Alliance
Alliances
Equally
Basis
Bases
Afraid
Sure
Party

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If you give way, you will instantly have to meet some greater demand, as having been frightened into obedience in the first instance while a firm refusal will make them clearly understand that they must treat you more as equals.
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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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... 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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Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
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It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.
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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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Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
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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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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.
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We secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.
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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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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
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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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He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.
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The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
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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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The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
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Stories happen to those who tell them.
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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.
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In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
Thucydides