Demosthenes

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

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.

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.

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

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

Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.

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.

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.

The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

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

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

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.