Demosthenes

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.

To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.

I am a citizen of the world.

All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

There is a great deal of wishful thinking in such cases it is the easiest thing of all to deceive ones self.

The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

Nothing is easier than self deceit. For what each man wishes that he also believes to be true.

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice.

A man is his own easiest dupe for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

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.

No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.

Clouds cannot cover secret places nor denials conceal truth.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive ones self for what we wish that we readily believe but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things.

Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.

Nothing is more easy than to deceive ones self as our affections are subtle persuaders.

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.

Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance.

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.