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.
DemosthenesHe who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred and to talk of it, is little different from reproach.
DemosthenesYou 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.
DemosthenesSince we are not yet fully comfortable with the idea that people from the next village are as human as ourselves, it is presumptuous in the extreme to suppose we could ever look at sociable, tool-making creatures who are from other evolutionary paths and see not beasts, but brothers, not rivals, but fellow pilgrims journeying to the shrine of intelligence...The difference... is not in the creature judged, but in the creature judging.
DemosthenesGreat and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.
DemosthenesAs a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speeches, whether they be wise or foolish.
DemosthenesNo man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.
DemosthenesGood fortune is the greatest of blessings, but good counsel comes next, and the lack of it destroys the other also.
DemosthenesIt 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.
DemosthenesThe 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.
DemosthenesNothing 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.
DemosthenesThere are all kinds of devices invented for the protection and preservation of countries: defensive barriers, forts, trenches, and the like... But prudent minds have as a natural gift one safeguard which is the common possession of all, and this applies especially to the dealings of democracies. What is this safeguard? Skepticism. This you must preserve. This you must retain. If you can keep this, you need fear no harm.
DemosthenesThe man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.
DemosthenesThere is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.
DemosthenesIt 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.
DemosthenesWe need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.
DemosthenesThe best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.
DemosthenesA man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Demosthenes