The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.
ThucydidesRead
Those who have experienced good and bad luck many times have every reason to be skeptical of successes
Interpretation
What this quote means
Experiencing both good and bad outcomes can lead to a cautious view of success.
Thucydides highlights the idea that those who have faced both fortune and misfortune multiple times often develop a skeptical attitude towards success. This skepticism stems from the understanding that success can be fleeting and uncertain, shaped by many variables beyond one's control, fostering a more grounded perspective on achievements.
Themes
SkepticismSuccessLuckExperiencePerspective
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, when discussing how setbacks shape our view of success.
More from Thucydides
All quotes βWe Greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.
ThucydidesRead
If it had not been for the pernicious power of envy, men would not so have exalted vengeance above innocence and profit above justice... in these acts of revenge on others, men take it upon themselves to begin the process of repealing those general laws of humanity which are there to give a hope of salvation to all who are in distress.
ThucydidesRead
Thucydides, an Athenian, wrote the history of the war between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians, he began at the moment that it broke out, believing that it would be a great war, and more memorable than any that had preceded it.
ThucydidesRead
Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay.
ThucydidesRead
Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
ThucydidesRead
Similar quotes
HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character.
Randy ShiltsRead
Strength is Happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being.
Daisaku IkedaRead
The present moment has always been available to spiritual seekers, but as long as you are seeking you are not available to the present moment. "Seeking" implies that you are looking to the future for some answer, or for some achievement, spiritual or otherwise. Everybody is in the seeking mode, seeking to add something to who they are, whether it be money, relationships, possessions, knowledge, status.. or spiritual attainment.
Eckhart TolleRead
For an idea which, at first, does not seem absurd, there is no hope.
Albert EinsteinRead
Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
Charles ReadeRead
If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.
Maya AngelouRead