Thucydides

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.

Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

The absence of romance in my history will, I fear, detract somewhat from its interest, but if it is judged worthy by those inquirers who desire an exact knowledge of the past as an aid to the understanding of the future, which in the course of human things must resemble if it does not reflect it, I shall be content.In fine I have written my work not as an essay with which to win the applause of the moment but as a possession for all time.

You know and we know, as practical men that the question of justice arises only between parties equal in strength and that the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.

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. Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war."[Funeral Oration of Pericles]

We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing

Men's indignation, it seems, is more excited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.

Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.

Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.

The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage.

History is Philosophy teaching by example.

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.

Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.

They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life do not on that account shrink from danger.

We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them.

In practice we always base our preparations against an enemy on the assumption that his plans are good; indeed, it is right to rest our hopes not on a belief in his blunders, but on the soundness of our provisions. Nor ought we to believe that there is much difference between man and man, but to think that the superiority lies with him who is reared in the severest school.

It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.