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

Demosthenes

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.
DEMOSTHENES

Employment Engagement Follow Impossible Man Thinking
Nothing is more easy than to deceive one’s self, as our affections are subtle persuaders.
DEMOSTHENES

Affection Deceive Easy Subtle
We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.
DEMOSTHENES

Existence Money Need
I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.
DEMOSTHENES

Myself Regret
What a man wishes, he will believe.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Himself Man
The fact speak for themselves.
DEMOSTHENES

Fact Ourselves Talk
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Guard Known Safety Suspicious
Do you remember that in classical times when Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, “How well he spoke” but when Demosthenes had finished speaking, they said, “Let us march.
DEMOSTHENES

Ourselves People Talk Time
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Abuse Impatience Listening Man Natural Pleasure Praise
Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.
DEMOSTHENES

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

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

Goodness Reminder Reproach
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Different Favor Forget Himself Reminder Talk
Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.
DEMOSTHENES

Act Fools Greatness Rush Success
One believes in what one wants to believe in.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Oneself
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises.
DEMOSTHENES

Greatness Opportunity Small

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

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

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