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Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.

Demosthenes

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

Goodness Reminder Reproach
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
Nothing is more easy than to deceive one’s self, as our affections are subtle persuaders.
DEMOSTHENES

Affection Deceive Easy Subtle
Small opportunities often presage great enterprises.
DEMOSTHENES

Greatness Opportunity Small
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.
DEMOSTHENES

God Image Justice Love Truth
The more able a man is, if he make ill use of his abilities, the more dangerous will he be to the commonwealth.
DEMOSTHENES

Ability Common Dangerous Man
We believe whatever we want to believe.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Willing
Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.
DEMOSTHENES

Deal Freedom Goodness State
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
I decline to buy repentance at the cost of ten thousand drachmas.
DEMOSTHENES

Myself Regret
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
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
The man who flies shall fight again.
DEMOSTHENES

Fight File Man
We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done.
DEMOSTHENES

Existence Money Need
Whatever shall be to the advantage of all, may that prevail!
DEMOSTHENES

Advantage Existence Prevail
Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Deceive Easy One Liner
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.
DEMOSTHENES

Injustice Possible Power
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
Clouds cannot cover secret places, nor denials conceal truth.
DEMOSTHENES

Cloud Place Secret Truth
Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master
DEMOSTHENES

Anxiety Avoid Beware Master War Yourself
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.
DEMOSTHENES

Action Himself Proud Spirit
A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Easy General Man True
Success has a great tendency to conceal and throw a veil over the evil deeds of men.
DEMOSTHENES

Action Greatness Man Success Tendency
One believes in what one wants to believe in.
DEMOSTHENES

Believe Oneself
Everything great is not always good, but all good things, are great.
DEMOSTHENES

Appearance Goodness Greatness
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
The end of wisdom is consultation and deliberation.
DEMOSTHENES

Consult End Wisdom

Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.

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Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.

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