Quote #34
War takes away the easy supply of daily wants, and so proves a rough master, that brings most men's characters to a level with their fortunes.
More from Thucydides
- Those who make wise decisions are more formidable to their enemies than those who rush madly into strong action.
- Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.
- Those who are politically apathetic can only survive if they are supported by people who are capable of taking action.
- The standard of justice depends on the equality of power to compel it.
- The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.
- The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out t…
- Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
- Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.