Those who are politically apathetic can only survive if they are supported by people who are capable of taking action.
Interpretation
Political apathy can only be sustained through the actions of engaged individuals.
In this quote, Pericles highlights the importance of political engagement and action for the survival of a society. He suggests that those who show indifference to politics rely heavily on the proactive efforts of others, underscoring the necessity for civic participation to ensure a healthy political environment.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of voting and civic responsibility.
For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own, where the column with its epitaph declares it, there is enshrined in every breast a record unwritten with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the heart.
Just because you are not interested in politics, does not mean that politics is not interested in you.
Famous men have the whole earth as their memorial.
Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but not to know how to chase it away by work is a more shameful thing yet.
For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.
For a man's counsel cannot have equal weight or worth, when he alone has no children to risk in the general danger.
It's impossible, I think, however much I'd become disillusioned politically or evolve into a post-political person, I don't think I'd ever change my view that socialism is the best political moment humans have ever come up with.
Though the people support the government; the government should not support the people.
Neither the United States nor Israel has the capacity to impose a unilateral solution in the Middle East.
Partisans fight on familiar territory with professed political objectives to conquer power. This is what distinguishes them from terrorists
The Stamp Act imposed on the colonies by the Parliament of Great Britain is an ill-judged measure. Parliament has no right to put its hands into our pockets without our consent.
Few businessmen are capable of being in politics, they don't understand the democratic process, they have neither the tolerance or the depth it takes. Democracy isn't a business.
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