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I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire.

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Convinced
Democracy
Often
Empire
Empires
Incapable

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Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
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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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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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In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
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I think the two things most opposed to good counsel are haste and passion haste usaully goes hand in hand with folly, passion with coarseness and narrowness of mind.
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Hope, danger's comforter
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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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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 men who make a city, not walls or ships.
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Stories happen to those who tell them.
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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.
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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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It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position.
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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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... 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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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 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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The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.
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Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.
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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.
Thucydides