They whose minds are least sensitive to calamity, and whose hands are most quick to meet it, are the greatest men and the greatest communities.

For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.

In a word I claim that our city as a whole is an education to Greece.

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.

In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.

Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage.

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