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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.
Thucydides
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Thucydides
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More quotes by Thucydides
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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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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In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
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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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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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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.
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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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Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.
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speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
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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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Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
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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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It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.
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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 superior gratification derived from the use and contemplation of costly and supposedly beautiful products is, commonly, in great measure a gratification of our sense of costliness masquerading under the name of beauty.
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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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They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger.
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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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Amassing of wealth is an opportunity for good deeds, not hubris
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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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