The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War

by Thucydides

For Themistocles was a man who exhibited the most indubitable signs of genius; indeed, in this particular he has a claim on our admiration quite extraordinary and unparalleled.

At last an embassy arrived with the Spartan ultimatum.

the principle of no concession to the Peloponnesians.

If you give way, you will instantly have to meet some greater demand, as having been frightened into obedience in the first instance; while a firm refusal will make them clearly understand that they must treat you as equals.”

For all claims from an equal, urged upon a neighbor as commands, before any attempt at arbitration, be they great or be they small, have only one meaning, and that is slavery.”

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:

place the real disgrace of poverty not in owning to the fact but in declining the struggle against it.

The latter are always wanting to appear wiser than the laws, and to overrule every proposition brought forward, thinking that they cannot show their wit in more important matters, and by such behavior too often ruin their country; while those who mistrust their own cleverness are content to be less learned than the laws,