Thucydides
Thucydides
Thucydideswas an Athenian historian and general. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC. Thucydides has been dubbed the father of "scientific history" because of his strict standards of evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect without reference to intervention by the gods, as outlined in his introduction to his work...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionHistorian
war mean army
By day certainly the combatants have a clearer notion, though even then by no means of all that takes place, no one knowing much of anything that does not does not go on in his own immediate neighborhood; but in a night engagement ( and this was the only one that occurred between great armies during the war) how could anyone know anything for certain?
war matter arms
War is a matter not so much of arms as of money.
war growth sparta
The growth of the power of Athens, and the alarm which this inspired in Sparta, made war inevitable.
war community opponents
It must be thoroughly understood that war is a necessity, and that the more readily we accept it,the less will be the ardor of our opponents, and that out of the greatest dangers communities and individuals acquire the greatest glory.
war men useless
It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position...
strength peace war
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.
war mean loss
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.
war spring anger
Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.
war history growth
What made the war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.
war believe memorable
Thucydides, an Athenian, wrote the history of the war between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians, he began at the moment that it broke out, believing that it would be a great war, and more memorable than any that had preceded it.
peace war sea
A collision at sea can ruin your entire day.
war armistice
Peace is an armistice in a war that is continuously going on.
war character men
In peace and prosperity states and individuals have better sentiments, because they do not find themselves suddenly confronted with imperious necessities; but 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
mistake war waiting
It is a common mistake in going to war to begin at the wrong end, to act first, and wait for disasters to discuss the matter.