Thucydides
Thucydides
Thucydideswas an Athenian historian and general. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC. Thucydides has been dubbed the father of "scientific history" because of his strict standards of evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect without reference to intervention by the gods, as outlined in his introduction to his work...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionHistorian
mistake war waiting
It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disasters to discuss the matter.
country land cities
We must not disguise from ourselves that we go to found a city among strangers and enemies, and he who undertakes such an enterprise should be prepared to become master of the country the first day he lands, or failing in this find everything hostile to him.
adversity prosperity easier
Mankind apparently find it easier to drive away adversity than to retain prosperity.
powerful cities stronger
For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.
envy hatred forever
Hatred also is short lived; but that which makes the splendor of the present and the glory of the future remains forever unforgotten here we bless your simplicity but do not envy your folly.
danger interest involved
When tremendous dangers are involved, no one can be blamed for looking to his own interest.
sacrifice towers firsts
Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage.
clever men proud
Indeed it is generally the case that men are readier to call rogues clever than simpletons honest, and are ashamed of being the second as they are proud of being the first.
education cities claims
In a word I claim that our city as a whole is an education to Greece.
generosity favour receiving
In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
travel wall men
It is men who make a city, not walls or ships.
safety opponents causes
For if many ill-conceived plans have succeeded through the still greater lack of judgment of an opponent, many more, apparently well laid, have on the contrary ended in disgrace. The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.
bravery action contempt
Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.
stories happens
Stories happen to those who tell them.