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.
– Demosthenes
No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.
– Demosthenes
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
– Demosthenes
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.
– Demosthenes
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.
– Demosthenes
What we wish, that we readily believe.
– Demosthenes
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.
– Demosthenes
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.
– Demosthenes
Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.
– Demosthenes
He who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred and to talk of it, is little different from reproach.
– Demosthenes
The fact speak for themselves.
– Demosthenes
The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.
– Demosthenes
Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.
– Demosthenes
There is a great deal of wishful thinking in such cases; it is the easiest thing of all to deceive one’s self.
– Demosthenes
Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.
– Demosthenes
Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.