35+ Pericles Quotes From The Great Greek Orator & Statesman

Pericles was an influential Greek statesman, politician, and general of Athens who was born in 495 BC and died in 429 BC.

Pericles was the general of Athens during the Persian and Peloponnesian wars and he expertly guided his men. He encouraged Athenian democracy to grow and promoted art and literature.

Under Pericles, Athens saw its 'golden age'. He was a lover of art, architecture and many ancient Greek structures were built during his time. He was also well-liked by his citizens. He died due to the Plague of Athens in 429 BC. Pericles quotes are important for history lovers as his Greek war quotes are enlightening. Reading Pericles of Athens quotes tells us about the powerful statesman.

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Pericles was a Greek statesman who allowed democracy to grow. He died in 429 BC but Pericles quotes show that he ensured his men would live peacefully without any despotism. This list has well-known Pericles quotes on polity and democracy.

1. "... while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized..."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

2. "It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

3. "If Athens shall appear great to you, consider then that her glories were purchased by valiant men, and by men who learned their duty."

- Pericles.

4. "Although only a few may originate a policy, we are all able to judge it."

- Pericles.

5. "...our strength lies, in our opinion, not in deliberation and discussion, but that knowledge which is gained by discussion preparatory to action."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

6. "Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves."

- Pericles, 'History Of The Peloponnesian War'.

7. "The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life."

- Pericles.

8. "A spirit of freedom governs our conduct; not only in public affairs, but also in managing the small tensions of every day life..."

- Pericles.

9. "...you should fix your eyes every day on the greatness of Athens... then reflect that what made her great was men with a spirit of adventure, men who knew their duty, men who were ashamed to fall below a certain standard."

- Pericles, 'History Of The Peloponnesian War'.

10. "We Athenians hold that it is not poverty that is disgraceful but the failure to struggle against it."

- Pericles.

11. "... if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition..."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

A well-known Greek statesman, Pericles was an influential figure during the golden age of Athens. He died in 429 BC but his contribution remains. Here are popular Pericles quotes about that time.

12. "Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now."

- Pericles.

13. "For the love of honor alone is ever young, and not riches, as some say, but honor is the delight of men when they are old and useless."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

14. "Because of the greatness of our city the fruits of the whole earth flow in upon us; so that we enjoy the goods of other countries as freely as our own."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

15. "Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it."

- Pericles.

16. "Those who are politically apathetic can only survive if they are supported by people who are capable of taking action."

- Pericles.

17. "As for poverty, no one need be ashamed to admit it, the real shame is in not taking practical measures to escape from it."

- Pericles.

18. "Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft."

- Pericles.

19. "The whole earth is the tomb of heroic men and their story is not given only on stone over their clay but abides everywhere without visible symbol woven into the stuff of other men's lives."

- Pericles.

Pericles led during the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. He died in 429 BC but Pericles quotes show that he made his city powerful. Fighting in the Peloponnesian war gave him knowledge about the battlefield. Here are Pericles quotes about war including famous Greek phrases.

20. "If then we prefer to meet danger with a light heart but without laborious training, and with a courage which is gained by habit and not enforced by law, are we not greatly the better for it?"

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

21. "...esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

22. "It is right to endure with resignation what the gods send, and to face one's enemies with courage."

- Pericles.

23. "To a man of spirit, cowardice and disaster coming together are far more bitter than death striking him unperceived at a time when he is full of courage and animated by the general hope."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

24. "We rely not upon management or trickery, but upon our own hearts and hands."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

These quotes are famous Pericles quotes including the 'Pericles' Funeral Oration' quotes. These Pericles quotes tell us more about the powerful leader who died in 429 BC.

25. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

- Pericles.

26. "We do not need the praises of a Homer, or of anyone else whose words may delight us for the moment, but the estimation of facts will fall short of what is really true."

- Pericles.

27. "Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others so long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

28. "We alone do good to our neighbors not upon a calculation of interest, but in the confidence of freedom and in a frank and fearless spirit."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

29. "Instead of looking on discussion as a stumbling block in the way of action, we think it an indispensable preliminary to any wise action at all."

- Pericles.

30. "...it is difficult to say neither too little nor too much; and even moderation is apt not to give the impression of truthfulness."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

31. "Wait for that wisest of all counselors, Time."

- Pericles.

32. "It is more of a disgrace to be robbed of what one has than to fail in some new undertaking."

- Pericles.

33. "Who makes the fairest show means most deceit."

- Pericles.

34. "Having knowledge but lacking the power to express it clearly is no better than never having any ideas at all."

- Pericles.

35. "We regard wealth as something to be properly used, rather than as something to boast about."

- Pericles.

36. "Make up your minds that happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous."

- Pericles, 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Pericles quotes from the Great Greek Orator, then why not take a look at Epicurus quotes and Sophocles quotes.

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