Demosthenes Quotes (24 Quotes)

Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.

No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.

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

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

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speeches, whether they be wise or foolish.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

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

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.

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.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self for what we wish, that we readily believe.

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

I am a citizen of the world.

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

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

A story was told about Demosthenes and another orator. When the unnamed orator (understandably forgotten) spoke, the crowd responded What a beautiful, well-delivered speech ... Let's march with Demosthenes

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

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

Success has a great tendency to conceal and throw a veil over the evil deeds of men.

I decline to buy repentance at the cost often thousand drachmas.

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.