Demosthenes Quotes

17 Sourced Quotes

No man can tell what the future may bring forth, and small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

Demosthenes
You 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.

Demosthenes
When asked what was first in oratory, [he] replied to his questioner, 'action,' what second, 'action,' and again third, 'action'.

Demosthenes
Nothing 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.

Demosthenes
To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.

Demosthenes
You, Athenians, possessing unsurpassed resources—fleet, infantry, cavalry, revenue—have never to this very day employed them aright, and yet you carry on war with Philip exactly as a barbarian boxes. The barbarian, when struck, always clutches the place; hit him on the other side and there go his hands. He neither knows nor cares how to parry a blow or how to watch his adversary.

Demosthenes
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.

Demosthenes
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies against despots—suspicion.

Demosthenes
What worse charge can any one bring against an orator than that his words and his sentiments do not tally?

Demosthenes
Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

Demosthenes
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.

Demosthenes
Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.

Demosthenes
Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.

Demosthenes
I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.

Demosthenes
The easiest thing in the world is self-deceit; for every man believes what he wishes, though the reality is often different.

Demosthenes
Whatever shall be to the advantage of all, may that prevail!

Demosthenes
The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.

Demosthenes