30+ Thucydides Quotes From The Ancient Greek Historian
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Thucydides was a great Ancient Greek historian and general of his times that made remarkable contributions to history with his great works in different fields.
“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", said Thucydides.
Thucydides is a famous Athenian general and historian who was born in Halimous, Athens. The great general and historian, Thucydides was well known for his remarkable contributions in different fields such as history, philosophy, and the account of the Peloponnesian War.
Thucydides is regarded as the father of the school of ‘political realism,’ besides being considered as the ‘father of scientific history,’ around the world.
He has contributed greatly with his historical accounts of various events that happened during his lifetime out of which the greatest one is the account of fifth-century BC war between Athens and Sparta in his book called 'History of the Peloponnesian War'.
Let’s take a look at the collection of the best Thucydides quotes from ancient history. If you like our article on Thucydides quotes from the famous Greek historian, you may also take a glimpse of ancient quotes and Herodotus quotes.
Thucydides Quotes On War
Thucydides is one of the greatest historians of Athens, Greece, who is known for his work and account of the war between Athens and Sparta in his book titled 'History of the Peloponnesian War'. His Peloponnesian war novels are considered to be one of his greatest works and was able to win the applause.
Let’s take a look at some of the best Thucydides Peloponnesian war quotes and Thucydides quotes warriors.
1. “It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disaster to discuss the matter.”
- Thucydides
2. “Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.”
- Thucydides
3. “The real cause I consider to be the one which was formally most kept out of sight. The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Lacedaemon, made war inevitable.”
- Thucydides, 'History of the Peloponnesian War'
4. “Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.”
- Thucydides
5. “The strength of an Army lies in strict discipline and undeviating obedience to its officers.”
- Thucydides
6. “We should remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who is trained in the severest school.”
- Thucydides
7.
“War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse... Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will ultimately restore our losses, but submission will mean permanent loss of all that we value... To you who call yourselves men of peace, I say: You are not safe unless you have men of action on your side.”
- Thucydides, 'History of the Peloponnesian War'
8. “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.”
- Thucydides
9. “The Nation that makes a huge distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.”
- Thucydides
10. “War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.”
- Thucydides, 'History of the Peloponnesian War'
Thucydides On Justice Power And Human Nature Quotes
Thucydides is regarded as one of the best historians of his times who made remarkable contributions in the field of history. Thucydides was known for his study of human nature during wars, and crisis through his writings, manuscripts, and interpretations.
His work is highly acclaimed by many a historian. Let’s take a look at some of the best quotes from Thucydides about history, power and human nature.
11. “Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.”
- Thucydides
12. “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 towns to subjection.”
- Thucydides
13. “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.”
- Thucydides
14. “Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.”
- Thucydides
15. “It is useless to attack a man who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position.”
- Thucydides
16. “I don’t blame those who want to rule but those who are more ready to obey.”
- Thucydides
17. “The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.”
- Thucydides
18. “It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.”
- Thucydides
19. “We Greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.”
- Thucydides
20. “In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.”
- Thucydides
21. “When one is deprived of one's liberty, one is right in blaming not so much the man who puts the shackles on as the one who had the power to prevent him, but did not use it.”
- Thucydides
22. “Τhose who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.”
- Thucydides
23. “Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared.”
- Thucydides
24. “They whose minds are least sensitive to calamity, and whose hands are most quick to meet it, are the greatest men and the greatest communities.”
- Thucydides
25. “The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.”
- Thucydides
Best Thucydides Quotes From Ancient History
Thucydides was a person of honor and an intellectual with great thinking, considered to be the greatest historian of all times - his work 'History Of The Peloponnesian war' sheds light at the war of Greece and has been a possession for all time.
Let’s take a look at some of the best Thucydides quotes from ancient history and his wise words.
26. “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.”
- Thucydides
27. “Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.”
- Thucydides
28. “Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.”
- Thucydides
29. “We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them.”
- Thucydides
30. “Justice is an issue only between equals, otherwise those in power do what they can and the weak forgive.”
- Thucydides
31. “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.”
- Thucydides
32. “Athenians, I shall only say a few words to you, but brave men require no more, and they are addressed more to your understanding than to your courage.”
- Thucydides
33. “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.”
- Thucydides
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotesfor everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Thucydides Quotes From The Ancient Greek Historian, then why not take a look at Greek quotes, or Plutarch quotes.
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Bachelor of Arts Hons specializing in Modern Languages (French and Spanish)
Monisha KochharBachelor of Arts Hons specializing in Modern Languages (French and Spanish)
A Modern Languages graduate from the University College London, Monisha with a passion for travel and exploring different cultures. She is fluent in French and Spanish and is currently learning Hindi. Monisha enjoys discovering new foods and is an avid sports fan, following soccer and Formula 1. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and watching TV shows.
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