Demosthenes
Demosthenes
Demostheneswas a Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his...
people remember march
Do you remember that in classical times when Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, "How well he spoke" but when Demosthenes had finished speaking, they said, "Let us march.
trust wise tyrants
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.
way censure
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.
men noble impossible
It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man's thought must always follow his employment.
may advantage
Whatever shall be to the advantage of all, may that prevail!
children noble titles
The most noble title any child can have is Third.
blessing next fortune
Good fortune is the greatest of blessings, but good counsel comes next, and the lack of it destroys the other also.
men thinking evening
The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and who thinks his fortune is most secure, knows not if it will remain unchanged till the evening.
self deceit easier
Nothing is easier than self-deceit.
fall gay should-have
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind, the lower parts should have the greatest firmness--so the grounds and principles of actions should be just and true.
believe men religion
A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
wisdom deliberation ends
The end of wisdom is consultation and deliberation.
believe people protection
The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.
brother ideas differences
Since we are not yet fully comfortable with the idea that people from the next village are as human as ourselves, it is presumptuous in the extreme to suppose we could ever look at sociable, tool-making creatures who are from other evolutionary paths and see not beasts, but brothers, not rivals, but fellow pilgrims journeying to the shrine of intelligence...The difference... is not in the creature judged, but in the creature judging.