9 Top Demosthenes Quotes That Still Hold True Today

Famous As: Statesman & Orator

Born On: 384 BC

Died On: 322 BC

Born In: Athens

Died At Age: 62

Demosthenes was a Greek statesman and orator, who influenced the governance and culture of Greece through his unparalleled intellectual prowess. Through his sublime orations, he abjectly opposed the Macedonian expansion and went on to devote his entire life to restore Athenian supremacy and lead a campaign against Philip II of Macedon. Demosthenes, while motivating his fellow compatriots, attempted to impede Philip’s vanquishing agendas unsuccessfully. After the demise of Philip II of Macedon, Demosthenes was instrumental in city’s rebellion against Alexander the Great. Another unsuccessful revolt against the Macedonian Empire meant that Demosthenes had to live the rest of his life on the run. He committed suicide, in order to escape imprisonment or capital punishment. Demosthenes corpus is the only prominent collection of oration from Demosthenes, written by various other authors. Furthermore, Library of Alexandria preserved 56 prologues which are believed to be genuine. Let us go through some of the most sublime quotes from this Greek philosopher and orator, highlighting his thoughts and sayings on issues subjected to intellectuality, spirituality, motivation, freedom, tyranny and many more. Following are some noteworthy quotations and thoughts by Demosthenes that would give you a peek in the culture and politics of ancient Greece.

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Leaders

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

Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what every man wishes, that he also believes to be true.
Demosthenes

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
Demosthenes

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

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

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

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

As a vessel is known by its sound whether it be cracked or not, so men are proved by their speeches whether they be wise or foolish.

As a vessel is known by its sound whether it be cracked or not, so men are proved by their speeches whether they be wise or foolish.
Demosthenes

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

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

What a man wishes he generally believes to be true

What a man wishes he generally believes to be true
Demosthenes

I'll betide thee, say I, and may the Gods, or at least the Athenians, confound thee for a vile citizen and a vile third-rate actor! Read the evidence.

I'll betide thee, say I, and may the Gods, or at least the Athenians, confound thee for a vile citizen and a vile third-rate actor! Read the evidence.
I
Demosthenes