The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.
ThucydidesRead
The sufferings that fate inflicts on us should be borne with patience, what enemies inflict with manly courage.
Interpretation
We must endure life's challenges with patience and face adversities from others with bravery.
This quote by Thucydides emphasizes the importance of how we respond to suffering and challenges in life. It suggests that while we should accept the difficulties that fate brings us with a composed demeanor, we must confront antagonism from others with boldness and resolve, reflecting the strength of our character and the courage required to overcome external adversities.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech on resilience during tough times.
The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.
We Greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.
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.
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.
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.
Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil.
I would rather clean than beg.
As a kid growing up, I didn't want to tell any of my classmates I did figure-skating because I knew they'd be like, 'Oh, you're a skater, you're gay, blah blah blah.' So I kept it to myself. Once I started getting to more of an elite level, I didn't really care what people thought, though.
The only thing is I am a little bit ashamed of is I didn't come out earlier, that I didn't have the strength to do it, the courage to break that lie. But everyone goes on their own path to do this, and I don't want the struggle to be so hard for other people.
Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. We can win and keep our own self-respect and build a great union that will secure the spirit of all people if we do it through a re-dedication and re-commitment to the struggle for justice through non-violence.
Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it.
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