Demosthenes quotes

Demosthenes was an ancient Athenian statesman and orator, renowned for his powerful speeches against Macedonian influence. His eloquence and persuasive rhetoric made a lasting impact on the art of public speaking. He is remembered as one of the greatest orators of classical antiquity. Here are 28 of his quotes:

Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue. (Demosthenes)
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
Demosthenes
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves. View quote
Demosthenes
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. View quote
Demosthenes
Whatever shall be to the advantage of all, may that prevail! View quote
Demosthenes
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action. View quote
Demosthenes
Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law. View quote
Demosthenes
Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master. View quote
Demosthenes
Delivery, delivery, delivery. (Demosthenes)
The easiest thing in the world is self-deceit; for every man believes what he wishes, though the reality is often different. View quote
Demosthenes
No man can tell what the future may bring forth, and small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. View quote
Demosthenes
For a house, I take it, or a ship or anything of that sort must have its chief strength in its substructure; and so too in affairs of state the principles and the foundations must be truth and justice. View quote
Demosthenes
A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true. View quote
Demosthenes
Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great. View quote
Demosthenes
The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them. View quote
Demosthenes
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. View quote
Demosthenes
The fact speak for themselves. View quote
Demosthenes
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice. View quote
Demosthenes
To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach. (Demosthenes)
Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states. View quote
Demosthenes
No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods. View quote
Demosthenes
He who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred and to talk of it, is little different from reproach. View quote
Demosthenes
The sower of the seed is assuredly the author of the whole harvest of mischief. View quote
Demosthenes

Demosthenes

Demosthenes - Image
Photo: Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Occupation: Greek Statesman
Born: 384 BC
Died: 322 BC
Quotes count: 28
Wikipedia: Demosthenes

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