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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.

Thucydides

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Thucydides
Historian
Safety
Failure
Causes
Fear
Comes
Action
Speculation
Carried

More quotes by 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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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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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.
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Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
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Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage.
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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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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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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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I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire.
Thucydides
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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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Knowledge without understanding is useless.
Thucydides
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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.
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War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.
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Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.
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The secret of freedom, courage.
Thucydides
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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.
Thucydides
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Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
Thucydides
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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
Thucydides
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Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
Thucydides