Demosthenes
Demosthenes
Demostheneswas a Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his...
life facts speak
The fact speak for themselves.
men abuse praise
It is the natural disposition of all men to listen with pleasure to abuse and slander of their neighbour, and to hear with impatience those who utter praises of themselves.
harvest mischief seeds
The sower of the seed is assuredly the author of the whole harvest of mischief.
safety alliances states
Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.
needs done need-money
We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.
war anxiety masters
Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master
justice god-image truth-and-justice
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.
tyrants states dealings
Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.
believe wish
What we wish, that we readily believe.
thinking self deceiving
There is a great deal of wishful thinking in such cases it is the easiest thing of all to deceive ones self.
men use able
The more able a man is, if he make ill use of his abilities, the more dangerous will he be to the commonwealth.
opportunity enterprise
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises.
inspirational believe wish
Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.
greatness good-things
Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great.