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Polybius Quotes

For the mob, habituated to feed at the expense of others, and to have its hopes of a livelihood in the property of its neighbors, as soon as it has got a leader sufficiently ambitious and daring, being excluded by poverty from the sweets of civil honors, produces a reign of mere violence Picture Quote #1

The mob is easily led and may be moved by the smallest force, so that its agitations have a wonderful resemblance to those of the sea Picture Quote #1

All things are subject to decay and change Picture Quote #1

Monarchy degenerates into tyranny, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into savage violence and chaos Picture Quote #1

Since the masses of the people are inconstant, full of unruly desires, passionate, and reckless of consequences, they must be filled with fears to keep them in order. The ancients did well, therefore, to invent gods, and the belief in punishment after death Picture Quote #1

There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man Picture Quote #1

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When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning Picture Quote #1

We can profit only by our own misfortunes and those of others. The former, though they may be the more beneficial, are also the more painful; let us turn, then, to the latter Picture Quote #1

Knowing how to win is the first step. We must also know how to make use of our victories Picture Quote #1

On any occasion when one can discover the cause of events, one should not resort to the gods Picture Quote #1

The glorious memory of brave men is continually renewed; the fame of those who have performed any noble deed is never allowed to die; and the renown of those who have done good service to their country becomes a matter of common knowledge to the multitude, and part of the heritage of posterity Picture Quote #1

For peace, with justice and honor, is the fairest and most profitable of possessions, but with disgrace and shameful cowardice, it is the most infamous and harmful of all Picture Quote #1

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The particular aspect of history which both attracts and benefits its readers is the examination of causes and the capacity, which is the reward of this study, to decide in each case the best policy to follow. Now in all political situations we must understand that the principle factor which makes for success or failure is the form of a state’s constitution: it is from this source, as if from a fountainhead, that all designs and plans of action not only originate but reach their fulfillment Picture Quote #1

From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of serious history. For it is history alone which without causing us harm enables us to judge what is the best course in any situation or circumstance Picture Quote #1

That historians should give their own country a break, I grant you; but not so as to state things contrary to fact. For there are plenty of mistakes made by writers out of ignorance, and which any man finds it difficult to avoid. But if we knowingly write what is false, whether for the sake of our country or our friends or just to be pleasant, what difference is there between us and hack writers? Readers should be very attentive to and critical of historians, and they in turn should be constantly on their guard Picture Quote #1

A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible Picture Quote #1

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories Picture Quote #1

The New Testament was not written by historians with the critical spirit of a Thucydides or a Polybius, but by men moved by the fervor of faith. Under these circumstances, it is understandable that it contains discrepancies, some non historical legends, and polemics Picture Quote #1

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Friendship Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

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Text Quotes

For the mob, habituated to feed at the expense of others, and to have its hopes of a livelihood in the property of its neighbors, as soon as it has got a leader sufficiently ambitious and daring, being excluded by poverty from the sweets of civil honors, produces a reign of mere violence. (Polybius Quotes) The mob is easily led and may be moved by the smallest force, so that its agitations have a wonderful resemblance to those of the sea (Polybius Quotes) All things are subject to decay and change (Polybius Quotes) Monarchy degenerates into tyranny, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into savage violence and chaos (Polybius Quotes) Since the masses of the people are inconstant, full of unruly desires, passionate, and reckless of consequences, they must be filled with fears to keep them in order. The ancients did well, therefore, to invent gods, and the belief in punishment after death (Polybius Quotes) There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man (Polybius Quotes) When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning (Polybius Quotes) We can profit only by our own misfortunes and those of others. The former, though they may be the more beneficial, are also the more painful; let us turn, then, to the latter (Polybius Quotes) Knowing how to win is the first step. We must also know how to make use of our victories (Polybius Quotes) On any occasion when one can discover the cause of events, one should not resort to the gods (Polybius Quotes) The glorious memory of brave men is continually renewed; the fame of those who have performed any noble deed is never allowed to die; and the renown of those who have done good service to their country becomes a matter of common knowledge to the multitude, and part of the heritage of posterity (Polybius Quotes) For peace, with justice and honor, is the fairest and most profitable of possessions, but with disgrace and shameful cowardice, it is the most infamous and harmful of all (Polybius Quotes) The particular aspect of history which both attracts and benefits its readers is the examination of causes and the capacity, which is the reward of this study, to decide in each case the best policy to follow. Now in all political situations we must understand that the principle factor which makes for success or failure is the form of a state’s constitution: it is from this source, as if from a fountainhead, that all designs and plans of action not only originate but reach their fulfillment (Polybius Quotes) From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of serious history. For it is history alone which without causing us harm enables us to judge what is the best course in any situation or circumstance (Polybius Quotes) That historians should give their own country a break, I grant you; but not so as to state things contrary to fact. For there are plenty of mistakes made by writers out of ignorance, and which any man finds it difficult to avoid. But if we knowingly write what is false, whether for the sake of our country or our friends or just to be pleasant, what difference is there between us and hack writers? Readers should be very attentive to and critical of historians, and they in turn should be constantly on their guard (Polybius Quotes) A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible (Polybius Quotes) Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories (Polybius Quotes) The New Testament was not written by historians with the critical spirit of a Thucydides or a Polybius, but by men moved by the fervor of faith. Under these circumstances, it is understandable that it contains discrepancies, some non historical legends, and polemics. (Polybius Quotes)