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...
believe want
We believe whatever we want to believe.
war fighting men
The man who flies shall fight again. [Lat., Qui fugiebat, rusus praeliabitur.]
men benefits facts
The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.
past issues light
Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.
life facts speak
The fact speak for themselves.
men abuse praise
It is the natural disposition of all men to listen with pleasure to abuse and slander of their neighbour, and to hear with impatience those who utter praises of themselves.
believe wish
What we wish, that we readily believe.
men use able
The more able a man is, if he make ill use of his abilities, the more dangerous will he be to the commonwealth.
opportunity enterprise
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises.
greatness good-things
Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great.
mean men proud
You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.
law enemy opponents
Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.
believe men wish
What a man wishes, he will believe.
speech action empty
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.