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.

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.