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
party alliances bases
Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other
differences hardship pleasure
But the prize for courage will surely be awarded most justly to those who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger.
ignorance reflection differences
Again, in our enterprises we present the singular spectacle of daring and deliberation, each carried to its highest point, and both united in the same persons; although usually decision is the fruit of ignorance, hesitation of reflection. But the palm of courage will surely be adjudged most justly to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger. In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.
reflection winning past
There is, however, no advantage in reflections on the past further than may be of service to the present. For the future we must provide by maintaining what the present gives us and redoubling our efforts; it is hereditary to us to win virtue as the fruit of labour, and you must not change the habit, even though you should have a slight advantage in wealth and resources; for it is not right that what was won in want should be lost in plenty.
ambition
Full of hopes beyond their power though not beyond their ambition.
democracy empires convinced
I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire...
danger comforter
Hope, danger's comforter
justice athens injured
When will there be justice in Athens? There will be justice in Athens when those who are not injured are as outraged as those who are.
sorry lifestyle modern
You shouldn't feel sorry for the lifestyle you haven't tasted, but for the one you are about to lose
long desire use
It is the habit of mankind to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what they do not desire
passion thinking hands
I think the two things most opposed to good counsel are haste and passion; haste usaully goes hand in hand with folly, passion with coarseness and narrowness of mind.
yield succeed certain
And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.
winning moments applause
I have written my work, not as an essay which is to win the applause of the moment, but as a possession for all time
truth men hands
So little trouble do men take in the search after truth; so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.