LIFE CHANGING - Thucydides Quotes - NARRATIONS

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. He is the author of the History of the Peloponnesian War, which recounts the struggle between Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BC. The strong do what they have to do, and the weak accept what they have to accept. Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous. War is a matter not so much of arms as much of expenditure. Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared. 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. Knowledge without understanding is useless. Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage. 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. 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. I don't blame those who want to rule but those who are more ready to obey. It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men. 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. War is a violent teacher. We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them. Justice is an issue only between equals, otherwise those in power do what they can and the weak forgive. Those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best. We must remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who is trained in the severest school.