Thucydides

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

— Thucydides

#discipline #self-control #self-respect #courage

A nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its laws made by cowards and its wars fought by fools. ↗

— Thucydides

#well-roundedness #law

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

— Thucydides

#social-commentary #inspirational

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. ↗

— Thucydides

#elections #fairness #losing #office #democracy

Ignorance is bold, and knowledge is reserved ↗

— Thucydides

#humor

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. ↗

— Thucydides

#slavery

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. ↗

— Thucydides

#equality

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. ↗

— Thucydides

#politics #equality

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

— Thucydides

#brilliant #charge #expect #frequently #men

Justice will not come to Athens until those who are not injured are as indignant as those who are injured. ↗

— Thucydides

#come #indignant #injured #justice #those