We believe whatever we want to believe.
DEMOSTHENESTo remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.
More Demosthenes Quotes
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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.
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It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man’s thought must always follow his employment.
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All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.
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The end of wisdom is consultation and deliberation.
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The more able a man is, if he make ill use of his abilities, the more dangerous will he be to the commonwealth.
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Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.
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Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.
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Nothing is more easy than to deceive one’s self, as our affections are subtle persuaders.
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Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.
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It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.
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The fact speak for themselves.
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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.
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No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.
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What we wish, that we readily believe.
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The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.
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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.
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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.
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Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.
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It is the natural disposition of all men to listen with pleasure to abuse and slander of their neighbour, and to hear with impatience those who utter praises of themselves.
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Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.
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Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master
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Success has a great tendency to conceal and throw a veil over the evil deeds of men.
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The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.
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What a man wishes, he will believe.
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Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great.
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I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.
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