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.

We do not know how these historical figures actually spoke. Thucydides admired Pericles approving of his power over the people and showing a marked distaste for the demagogues who followed him. During this time he conducted important research for his history having claimed that he pursued the project as he thought it would be one of the greatest wars waged among the Greeks in terms of scale.

He has also been called the father of the school of political realism which views the relations between nations as based on might rather than right. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC. His text is still studied at advanced military colleges worldwide and the Melian dialogue remains a seminal work of international relations theory.