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Quote by Thucydides

“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.”

Quote by Thucydides

Author

Thucydides, a renowned Greek historian, lived from 460 BC to 395 BC. His work, 'The History of the Peloponnesian War', is considered a classic in Western historical writing, known for its meticulous record of facts and profound political analysis. more

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“We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing”

Men Believe Affair Greek Lazy Public Affairs

Author:Thucydides

“In practice we always base our preparations against an enemy on the assumption that his plans are good; indeed, it is right to rest our hopes not on a belief in his blunders, but on the soundness of our provisions. Nor ought we to believe that there is much difference between man and man, but to think that the superiority lies with him who is reared in the severest school.”

Thinking Men Believe School Lying Belief Differences Enemy Practice Plans Ought Preparation Assumption Superiority Provision Blunders Soundness

Book:The Landmark Thucydides

Source: The Landmark Thucydides

“In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.”

Democracy Failing Office Fairs Console

Author:Thucydides

“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.”

World Suffering Strong Weak

Book:The Landmark Thucydides

Source: The Landmark 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.”

Justice Injured Athens Outraged

Author:Thucydides

“Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay.”

Ifs Thinking Looks Littles Wish Enemy Issues Particular Notion Harm Selfish Consideration Neglect Decay Vengeance Little Time Legislators Commonwealth

Author:Thucydides

“Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others as long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous.”

Thinking Wells Long Can Do Mankind Praise Speakers Rise Above

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Thucydides (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Thucydides (Illustrated)

“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.”

Men Use Liberty He Man Blame Deprived Shackles

Author:Thucydides

“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.”

Men Firsts Looks Seems Equal Violent Superiors Compelled Cheated Indignation Righteous Indignation I Cheated

Book:History of the Peloponnesian War

Source: History of the Peloponnesian War

“In general, the men of lower intelligence won out. Afraid of their own shortcomings and of the intelligence of their opponents, so that they would not lose out in reasoned argument or be taken by surprise by their quick-witted opponents, they boldly moved into action. Their enemies,on the contrary, contemptuous and confident in their ability to anticipate, thought there was no need to take by action what they could win by their brains.”

Men Needs Action Winning Loses Ability Brain Enemy Taken He Man Argument Moved Surprise Contrary Opponents Anticipate Shortcomings Contemptuous Quick Witted

Author:Thucydides