Herodotus

Herodotus

18 quotes

As a Greek historian and geographer, Herodotus earned a lasting place in the canon of memorable quotations. With equal ease, Herodotus moved between Men and War, finding connections others missed. Our collection holds 24 quotes from Herodotus, each offering a different angle on Men, War, Peace, Knowledge, and Trust. Readers often gravitate to this one: "Circumstances rule men men do not rule circumstances."

“It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen.”

— Herodotus

Fear

All Quotes by Herodotus

“Circumstances rule men men do not rule circumstances.”

— Herodotus

Men

“Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.”

— Herodotus

Design

“But I like not these great success of yours for I know how jealous are the gods.”

— Herodotus

Jealousy

“Illness strikes men when they are exposed to change.”

— Herodotus

Change

“Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.”

— Herodotus

Peace

“In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.”

— Herodotus

Peace

“He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold.”

— Herodotus

Best

“I never yet feared those men who set a place apart in the middle of their cities where they gather to cheat one another and swear oaths which they break.”

— Herodotus

Men

“All men's gains are the fruit of venturing.”

— Herodotus

Men

“Whatever comes from God is impossible for a man to turn back.”

— Herodotus

God

“When a woman removes her garment, she also removes the respect that is hers.”

— Herodotus

Respect

“It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen.”

— Herodotus

Fear

“Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.”

— Herodotus

Knowledge

“The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.”

— Herodotus

Knowledge

“Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men.”

— Herodotus

Death

“The worst pain a man can suffer: to have insight into much and power over nothing.”

— Herodotus

Power

“Men trust their ears less than their eyes.”

— Herodotus

Men

“It is clear that not in one thing alone, but in many ways equality and freedom of speech are a good thing.”

— Herodotus

Alone