Thucydides Quotes

11 quotes

5th-century BC Athenian historian and general

“History is Philosophy teaching by example.”

"We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them."

on Relationships

"Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them."

on Philosophy

"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."

on Happiness

"The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage."

on Happiness

"Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved."

on Wisdom

"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."

on Power

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage."

on Wisdom

"Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger."

on Anger

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

on Philosophy

"It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men."

on Wisdom