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...
mean men proud
You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.
law enemy opponents
Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.
real believe self
Nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self; for what we wish, that we readily believe; but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things.
believe men wish
What a man wishes, he will believe.
speech action empty
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.
people remember march
Do you remember that in classical times when Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, "How well he spoke" but when Demosthenes had finished speaking, they said, "Let us march.
trust wise tyrants
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.
way censure
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.
men noble impossible
It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man's thought must always follow his employment.
may advantage
Whatever shall be to the advantage of all, may that prevail!
blessing next fortune
Good fortune is the greatest of blessings, but good counsel comes next, and the lack of it destroys the other also.
men thinking evening
The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and who thinks his fortune is most secure, knows not if it will remain unchanged till the evening.
self deceit easier
Nothing is easier than self-deceit.
fall gay should-have
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind, the lower parts should have the greatest firmness--so the grounds and principles of actions should be just and true.