Historical voices

War, however, should be undertaken in such a way as to make it evident that it has no other object than to secure peace.

And in this way, the men who in a civil capacity direct the affairs of the nation render no less important service than they who conduct its wars: by their statesmanship oftentimes wars are either averted or terminated; sometimes also they…

That moral goodness which we look for in a lofty, high-minded spirit is secured, of course, by moral, not by physical, strength.

There are, therefore, instances of civic courage that are not inferior to the courage of the soldier.

For arms are of little value in the field unless there is wise counsel at home.

Although it is thought that it was by their achievements that Sparta gained her supremacy, yet these are not even remotely to be compared with the legislation and discipline of Lycurgus.

For Themistocles's victory served the state once and only once; while Solon's work will be of service for ever.

But if we will face the facts, we shall find that there have been many instances of achievement in peace more important and no less renowned than in war.

For many men have sought occasions for war from the mere ambition for fame.

Most people think that the achievements of war are more important than those of peace; but this opinion needs to be corrected.

At the same time, let him take care not to lose heart too readily through discouragement nor yet to be over-confident through ambition.

If anyone is entering public life, let him beware of thinking only of the honour that it brings; but let him be sure also that he has the ability to succeed.

Not without reason, therefore, are stronger emotions aroused in those who engage in public life than in those who live in retirement, and greater is their ambition for success; the more, therefore, do they need to enjoy greatness of spirit…

For there are people who in opposite circumstances do not act consistently: they have the utmost contempt for pleasure, but in pain they are too sensitive; they are indifferent to glory, but they are crushed by disgrace; and even in their…

As I said before, we must also beware of ambition for glory; for it robs us of liberty, and in defence of liberty a high-souled man should stake everything.

For we must agree that it takes a brave and heroic soul to hold as slight what most people think grand and glorious, and to disregard it from fixed and settled principles.

Then, too, the higher a man's ambition, the more easily he is tempted to acts of injustice by his desire for fame.

And we must approve this view; for he who depends upon the caprice of the ignorant rabble cannot be numbered among the great.

Moreover, true and philosophic greatness of spirit regards the moral goodness to which nature most aspires as consisting in deeds, not in fame, and prefers to be first in reality rather than in name.

But the greater the difficulty, the greater the glory; for no occasion arises that can excuse a man for being guilty of injustice.

But when one begins to aspire to pre-eminence, it is difficult to preserve that spirit of fairness which is absolutely essential to justice.

But if the exaltation of spirit seen in times of danger and toil is devoid of justice and fights for selfish ends instead of for the common good, it is a vice; for not only has it no element of virtue, but its nature is barbarous and…

Parents are dear; dear are children, relatives, friends; but one native land embraces all our loves; and who that is true would hesitate to give his life for her, if by his death he could render her a service?

Another strong bond of fellowship is effected by mutual interchange of kind services; and as long as these kindnesses are mutual and acceptable, those between whom they are interchanged are united by the ties of an enduring intimacy.