Pericles
Pericles
Pericleswas arguably the most prominent and influential Greek statesman, orator and general of Athens during the Golden Age— specifically the time between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. He was descended, through his mother, from the powerful and historically influential Alcmaeonid family...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionStatesman
hero heart land
For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own, where the column with its epitaph declares it, there is enshrined in every breast a record unwritten with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the heart.
country heart men
For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.
real cities mind
To face calamity with a mind as unclouded as may be, and quickly to react against it-that in a city and in an individual-is real strength.
teacher time lessons
Time as he grows old teaches many lessons. - Aeschylus Time is the wisest counselor of all.
judging may able
Although only a few may originate a policy, we are all able to judge it.
grief loss long
For grief is felt not so much for the want of what we have never known, as for the loss of that to which we have been long accustomed.
work able poverty
Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but not to know how to chase it away by work is a more shameful thing yet.
democratic marketplace
The marketplace is democratic.
dark men ideas
An Athenian citizen does not neglect his state because he takes care of his own household; even those of us who are engaged in business have a very fair idea of politics. We do not regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs as harmless. We do not say that such a man 'minds his own business'. Rather we say he has no business here at all.
memories men memorial
Famous men have the whole earth as their memorial.
mean deceit show-me
Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.
life-and-love waiting counselor
Wait for the wisest of all counselors, Time.
government hands justice
Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors', but is an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit
children men political
For a man's counsel cannot have equal weight or worth, when he alone has no children to risk in the general danger.