Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.
It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disasters to discuss the matter.
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.
When one is deprived of ones liberty, one is right in blaming not so much the man who puts the shackles on as the one who had the power to prevent him, but did not use it.
The secret of happiness is freedom.
Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.
Men’s indignation, it seems, is more exited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.
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.
Peace is an armistice in a war that is continuously going on.
He passes through life most securely who has least reason to reproach himself with complaisance toward his enemies.
The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
In a word I claim that our city as a whole is an education to Greece.
So little trouble do men take in the search after truth; so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.
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.
Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
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.
One’s sense of honor is the only thing that does not grow old, and the last pleasure, when one is worn out with age, is not, as the poet said, making money, but having the respect of one’s fellow men.
When tremendous dangers are involved, no one can be blamed for looking to his own interest.
I dread our own mistakes more than the enemy’s intentions.