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
i-miss-you missing-you long-distance-relationship
As contraries are known by contraries, so is the delight of presence best known by the torments of absence.
positive leadership memorial-day
The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.
rewards merit citizens
And where the rewards for merit are greatest, there are found the best citizens.
crime should commit
You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.
greatness men honor
Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
being-free courageous depends
Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.
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.
bravery action contempt
Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.
revenge adversity men
Indeed men too often take upon themselves in the prosecution of their revenge to set the example of doing away with those general laws to which all can look for salvation in adversity, instead of allowing them to subsist against the day of danger when their aid may be required
mistake enemy intention
I dread our own mistakes more than the enemy's intentions.
mistake pieces gains
You can now, if you choose, employ your present success to advantage, so as to keep what you have got and gain honour and reputation besides, and you can avoid the mistake of those who meet with an extraordinary piece of good fortune, and are led on by hope to grasp continually at something further, through having already succeeded without expecting it.
strength peace war
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
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.
injured until
Justice will not come to Athens until those who are not injured are as indignant as those who are injured.