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Thucydides

Thucydides Biography

Historian

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“For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men. Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war." [Funeral Oration of Pericles]”

WarFreedomCourageFameBraveryIronySarcasmPericles
Book:History of the Peloponnesian War
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“Not courage alone, therefore, but an actual sense of your superiority should animate you as you go forward against the enemy. Confidence, out of a mixture of ignorance and good luck, can be felt even by cowards; but this sense of superiority comes only to those who, like us, have real reasons for knowing that they are better placed than their opponents. And when the chances on both sides are equal, it is intelligence that confirms courage.”

Book 2Chapter 62
Author:Thucydides
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“There is, however, no advantage in reflections on the past further than may be of service to the present. For the future we must provide by maintaining what the present gives us and redoubling our efforts; it is hereditary to us to win virtue as the fruit of labour, and you must not change the habit, even though you should have a slight advantage in wealth and resources; for it is not right that what was won in want should be lost in plenty.”

WantGivingShouldMayPastWinningLostWealthEffortVirtueHabitReflectionResourcesAdvantageShould HaveFruitPlentyLabourMaintainingHereditary
Book:The Peloponnesian War
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“Again, in our enterprises we present the singular spectacle of daring and deliberation, each carried to its highest point, and both united in the same persons; although usually decision is the fruit of ignorance, hesitation of reflection. But the palm of courage will surely be adjudged most justly to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger. In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.”

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Book:History of Greece
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“By day certainly the combatants have a clearer notion, though even then by no means of all that takes place, no one knowing much of anything that does not does not go on in his own immediate neighborhood; but in a night engagement ( and this was the only one that occurred between great armies during the war) how could anyone know anything for certain?”

KnowsMeanDoeWarNightCertainKnowingGoes OnArmyNotionNeighborhoodEngagementGreat Army
Book:The Landmark Thucydides
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“The wide difference between the two characters, the slowness and want of energy of the Spartans as contrasted with the dash and enterprise of their opponents, proved of the greatest service, especially to a maritime empire like Athens. Indeed this was shown by the Syracusans, who were most like the Athenians in character, and also most successful in combating them.”

WantTwoCharacterEnergyDifferencesSuccessfulWideOpponentsEnterpriseEmpiresAthensSlownessAtheniansMaritime
Book:The history of the Peloponnesian War: illustrated with maps from the 1820 Oxford edition
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“On the whole, however, the conclusions I have drawn from the proofs quoted may, I believe, safely be relied on. Assuredly they will not be disturbed either by the lays of a poet displaying the exaggeration of his craft, or by the compositions of the chroniclers that are attractive at truth's expense; the subjects they treat of being out of the reach of evidence, and time having robbed most of them of historical value by enthroning them in the region of legend.”

BelieveMayWholeValuesI BelieveSubjectsPoetEvidenceTreatsLaysHistoricalProofConclusionCraftsAttractiveRegionsExpensesLegendsCompositionDisturbedExaggerationHistorical Value
Book:History of Greece
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“The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things... Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of man.”

KnowsMenWisdomPoliticsEnergyQualityEconomyWeaknessRelationExcuseLiberalismCowardDaringLoyalDisguiseModerationDelayRecklessPrudentFranticMeanings Of Words
Book:Delphi Complete Works of Thucydides (Illustrated)
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“To be an object of hatred and aversion to their contemporaries has been the usual fate of all those whose merit has raised them above the common level. The man who submits to the shafts of envy for the sake of noble objects pursues a judicious course for his own lasting fame. Hatred dies with its object, while merit soon breaks forth in full splendor, and his glory is handed down to posterity in never-dying strains.”

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Author:Thucydides
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“Athens' biggest worry was the sheer recklessness of its own democratic government. A simple majority of the citizenry, urged on and incensed by clever demagogues, might capriciously send out military forces in unnecessary and exhausting adventures.”

GovernmentMightForceSimpleWorryMilitaryAdventureMajorityDemocraticCleverSheerUnnecessaryExhaustingAthensCitizenryMilitary ForceRecklessnessDemocratic Government
Book:The Landmark Thucydides
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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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Book:History of Greece
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