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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

Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have laid dormant in its absence.
HERODOTUS

Absence Adversity Drawing Mad Men Strength
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
The ear is a less trustworthy witness than the eye.
HERODOTUS

Ears Eye Trust
In soft regions are born soft men.
HERODOTUS

Born Life Men
A woman takes off her claim to respect along with her garments.
HERODOTUS

Naked Respect Women
There is nothing more foolish, nothing more given to outrage than a useless mob.
HERODOTUS

Foolish Outrage Useless War
The worst part a man can suffer is to have insight into much and power over nothing.
HERODOTUS

Men Philosophy Power Suffering Worst
The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.
HERODOTUS

Fortune Luck Men Side
Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use.
HERODOTUS

Force Little Wisdom
But if you know that you are a man too, and that even such are those that rule, learn this first of all: that all human affairs are a wheel which, as it turns, does not allow the same men always to be fortunate.
HERODOTUS

Change Fortunate Human Men Rule
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
How much better a thing it is to be envied than to be pitied.
HERODOTUS

Better Envy
Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular view which may have been brought forward.
HERODOTUS

Decision Necessary Opinion Opportunity View
Force has no place where there is need of skill.
HERODOTUS

Force Military Need Skill
The trials of living and the pangs of disease make even the short span of life too long.
HERODOTUS

Disease Live Long Time Trials
Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.
HERODOTUS

Chance Circumstances Men Philosophy

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.

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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.

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Popular Authors

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