The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.

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.

What made the war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.

Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others as long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous.

It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.

I dread our own mistakes more than the enemy's intentions.

The superior gratification derived from the use and contemplation of costly and supposedly beautiful products is, commonly, in great measure a gratification of our sense of costliness masquerading under the name of beauty.