Herodotus
Herodotus
Herodotuswas a Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus, Cariaand lived in the fifth century BC, a contemporary of Socrates. He is widely referred to as "The Father of History"; he was the first historian known to have broken from Homeric tradition to treat historical subjects as a method of investigation—specifically, by collecting his materials systematically and critically, and then arranging them into a historiographic narrative. The Histories is the only work which he is known to have produced, a record...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionHistorian
freedom-of-speech way good-things
It is clear that not in one thing alone, but in many ways equality and freedom of speech are a good thing.
honor shady possession
Love of honor is a very shady sort of possession.
spring taken years
Tell Greece that her spring has been taken out of her year.
two islands poverty
We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.
slavery slave masters
Good masters generally have bad slaves, and bad slaves have good masters.
learning men trying
Let there be nothing untried; for nothing happens by itself, but men obtain all things by trying.
loss errors begets
The hastening of any undertaking begets error, from which great losses are wont to come.
adversity men drawing
Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have laid dormant in its absence.
envy kind natural
Envy is so natural to human kind, that it cannot but arise.
life happiness real
The man of affluence is not in fact more happy than the possessor of a bare competency, unless, in addition to his wealth, the end of his life be fortunate. We often see misery dwelling in the midst of splendour, whilst real happiness is found in humbler stations.
successful favour reason
Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the gods.
life happiness success
One man envies the success in life of another, and hates him in secret; nor is he willing to give him good advice when he is consulted, except it be by some wonderful effort of good feeling, and there are, alas, few such men in the world. A real friend, on the other hand, exults in his friend?s happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.
rain night snow
Not snow, no, nor rain, nor heat, nor night keeps them from accomplishing their appointed courses with all speed.
lying falsehood
Where even a falsehood must be told, let it be told.