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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.

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.
DEMOSTHENES

Crack Fools Known Sound Wisdom
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
Good fortune is the greatest of blessings, but good counsel comes next, and the lack of it destroys the other also.
DEMOSTHENES

Blessing Destroy Fortune Goodness
No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.
DEMOSTHENES

Friendship Himself Man Willing
Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.
DEMOSTHENES

Act Fools Greatness Rush Success
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.
DEMOSTHENES

God Image Justice Love Truth
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Consistency Easy Expectation State
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.
DEMOSTHENES

Accompany Action Empty Speech
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Benefit Forget Man Remember
Clouds cannot cover secret places, nor denials conceal truth.
DEMOSTHENES

Cloud Place Secret Truth
We believe whatever we want to believe.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Willing
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
Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.
DEMOSTHENES

Freedom Safety State
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises.
DEMOSTHENES

Greatness Opportunity Small
What a man wishes, he will believe.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Himself Man
I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.
DEMOSTHENES

Myself Regret

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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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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