Thucydides - Action Quotes

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For they had learned that true safety was to be found in long previous training, and not in eloquent exhortations uttered when they were going into action.

Thucydides

Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.

Thucydides

Speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.

Thucydides

The Spartans meanwhile, man to man, and with their war songs in the ranks, exhorted each brave comrade to remember what he had learned before; well aware that the long training of action was of more use for saving lives than any brief verbal exhortation, though ever so well delivered.

Thucydides

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.

Thucydides

Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.

Thucydides