An avowal of poverty is no disgrace to any man; to make no effort to escape it is indeed disgraceful.

... Athenians are addicted to innovation. They are daring beyond their judgment they toil on with little opportunity for enjoying, being ever engaged in getting, they were born into the world to take no rest themselves, and to give none to others.

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

Stories happen to those who tell them.

When tremendous dangers are involved, no one can be blamed for looking to his own interest.

For men can endure to hear others praised only so long as they can severally persuade themselves of their own ability to equal the actions recounted: when this point is passed, envy comes in and with it incredulity.

So little trouble do men take in the search after truth; so readily do they accept whatever comes first to hand.