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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

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Thucydides
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More quotes by Thucydides

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Indeed men too often take upon themselves in the prosecution of their revenge to set the example of doing away with those general laws to which all can look for salvation in adversity, instead of allowing them to subsist against the day of danger when their aid may be required
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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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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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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 secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.
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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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The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.
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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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The secret of freedom, courage.
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Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris
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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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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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Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
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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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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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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
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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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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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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