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Before a man dies, hold back and call him not happy but lucky.

Herodotus

One should always look to the end of everything, how it will finally come out. For the god has shown blessedness to many only to overturn them utterly in the end.
HERODOTUS

Belief Blessing End God Hope Oneself
The most hateful grief of all human griefs is to have knowledge of a truth, but no power over the event.
HERODOTUS

Destiny Event Grief Knowledge Truth
Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.
HERODOTUS

Friendship Material Value
The man of affluence is not in fact more happy than the possessor of a bare competency, unless, in addition to his wealth, the end of his life be fortunate. We often see misery dwelling in the midst of splendour, whilst real happiness is found in humbler stations.
HERODOTUS

Happiness Humble Life Reality
Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the gods.
HERODOTUS

Enjoyment Favour God Reason Success
Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.
HERODOTUS

Chance Circumstances Men Philosophy
These ‘messengers’ will not be hindered from accomplishing at their best speed the distance which they have to go, either by snow, or rain, or heat, or by the darkness of night.
HERODOTUS

Accomplishment Best Distance Night Rain
We have two useless gods who never leave our island, but like to dwell in it constantly, Poverty and Helplessness.
HERODOTUS

God Help Islands Poor
As the old saw says well: every end does not appear together with its beginning.
HERODOTUS

Beginning End Together
A woman takes off her claim to respect along with her garments.
HERODOTUS

Naked Respect Women
The most hateful human misfortune is for a wise man to have no influence.
HERODOTUS

Fortune Hate Human Men Wisdom
It is sound planning that invariably earns us the outcome we want; without it, even the gods are unlikely to look with favour on our designs.
HERODOTUS

Design Effort Favour Outcomes Result
As the old saw says well: every end does not appear together with its beginning. It’s impossible for someone who is human to have all good things together, just as there is no single country able to provide all good things for itself.
HERODOTUS

Country Goodness Human Philosophy Togetherness
I never yet feared those men who set a place apart in the middle of their cities where they gather to cheat one another and swear oaths which they break.
HERODOTUS

Break Cheating Fear Men Place
How can a monarchy be a suitable thing, which allows a man to do as he pleases with none to hold him to account. And even if you were to take the best man on earth, and put him into a monarchy, you put outside him the thoughts that usually guide him.
HERODOTUS

Himself Men Politics Rule
He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold.
HERODOTUS

Action Bold Men Moments Planning

Before a man dies, hold back and call him not happy but lucky.

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Before a man dies, hold back and call him not happy but lucky.

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