Pericles, the prominent statesman and general of ancient Athens, is renowned for his incredible oratory skills and influential leadership during the Golden Age of Athens. His speeches and quotes continue to inspire and resonate with people across generations. In this article, we will explore some of the most powerful and thought-provoking Pericles quotes that have stood the test of time.
Pericles Quotes that Inspire:
1. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
2. “Time is the wisest counselor of all.”
3. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
4. “Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.”
5. “The whole earth is the sepulcher of famous men.”
6. “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
7. “Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of things of the mind does not make us soft.”
8. “Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.”
9. “What you do not want to be done to yourself, do not do to others.”
10. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
Read these Pericles quotes:
“The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage.”
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
“The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.”
“We do not imitate, but are a model to others.”
“We are called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.”
“The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself.”
“The true test of a civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops; but the kind of men that the country turns out.”
“If I have done any deed worthy of remembrance, that deed will be my monument.”
“The freedom we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life.”
“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
“What you create with your hands, you should guard with your heart.”
“Those who can truly be accounted brave are those who best know the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then go out, undeterred, to meet what is to come.”
“We are free to live our lives as we wish, but we must also be willing to accept the consequences of our choices.”
“The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it.”
“The greatest tribute we can pay to the truth is to use it.”
“The secret to happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one has to do.”
“The freedom to criticize the government is the foundation of true democracy.”
“It is not poverty that is the greatest evil, but the inability to do what one wants.”
“The greatest glory of a woman is to be least talked about by men, whether in praise or blame.”
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
These Pericles quotes offer valuable insights into leadership, courage, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. They remind us of the timeless wisdom and enduring legacy of this influential figure in ancient history. As we reflect upon these quotes, we can find inspiration and guidance for our own lives, striving to make a positive impact on the world around us.
