Pericles was a prominent and influential statesman, orator, and general of Athens during the Golden Age of Athens. He is best known for his leadership and his profound influence on the development of democracy in Athens.
Pericles’ speeches and writings have left a lasting impact on the world, and his quotes continue to inspire and provoke thought to this day. Here are some of the best quotes from Pericles:
1. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
This powerful quote reminds us that our impact on the world is not measured by material possessions, but by the lasting impressions we leave on the people around us. It emphasizes the importance of kindness, compassion, and empathy in our interactions with others.
2. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
This quote serves as a reminder that participation in the political process is crucial, even if one might feel detached or uninterested in politics. Pericles highlights the fact that political decisions affect every aspect of our lives, and it is our responsibility to be informed and engaged.
3. “Happiness is the settling of the soul into its most appropriate spot.”
In this quote, Pericles reflects on the nature of happiness and suggests that it can be found when one aligns their soul with their true desires and purpose. It encourages self-reflection and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
4. “Courage is the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.”
Pericles emphasizes the importance of courage in this quote and suggests that true courage lies in the ability to discern what should be feared and what should not. It encourages individuals to confront their fears with wisdom and rationality, rather than being driven by irrational fear.
These quotes from Pericles offer timeless wisdom and insights that are applicable to various aspects of life. They serve as a reminder of the enduring influence of this influential figure from ancient history.
Pericles: Famous Quotes
Pericles, the great Athenian statesman, philosopher, and orator, left behind a great legacy of wisdom and insight. His powerful words continue to inspire and resonate with people today. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
| “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” |
| “The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage.” |
| “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” |
| “Time is the wisest counsellor of all.” |
| “We do not imitate, but are a model to others.” |
| “The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; they are honored not only by columns and inscriptions in their own land, but in foreign nations on memorials graven not on stone but in the hearts and minds of men.” |
These quotes reflect Pericles’ beliefs in the power of influence, freedom, courage, politics, time, and the impact of great men. They serve as a reminder of the timeless wisdom and insight Pericles possessed, and continue to inspire people to this day.
Pericles Quotes on Leadership
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
This quote highlights Pericles’ belief in the importance of leaving a lasting legacy through one’s actions and impact on others.
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
Pericles emphasizes the significance of political engagement and the potential consequences of being apathetic towards it.
“The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.”
This quote underscores Pericles’ recognition of the enduring fame and influence of great leaders throughout history.
“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 encourages a balanced approach to life and leadership, emphasizing the importance of appreciating beauty and intellectual pursuits without becoming excessive or complacent.
“I do not think that what is called Love at first sight is so great an absurdity as it is sometimes imagined to be.”
This quote showcases Pericles’ belief in the power of initial impressions and the potential for immediate connections and attractions.
Pericles Quotes on Democracy
1. “Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.”
2. “We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at 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. “Remember, it is not just you who will suffer if you do not take an interest in politics, but your children and their children after them.”
6. “In a democracy, the law must rule, and no individual should hold too much power.”
7. “Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.”
8. “No people can ever prosper who have not the courage to face dangers.”
9. “The strength of a democracy lies in the participation and engagement of its citizens.”
10. “Democracy is not just a form of government, but a way of life that requires active participation and constant vigilance.”
-
Pericles Quotes on Democracy
-
1. “Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.”
-
2. “We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at 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. “Remember, it is not just you who will suffer if you do not take an interest in politics, but your children and their children after them.”
-
6. “In a democracy, the law must rule, and no individual should hold too much power.”
-
7. “Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.”
-
8. “No people can ever prosper who have not the courage to face dangers.”
-
9. “The strength of a democracy lies in the participation and engagement of its citizens.”
-
10. “Democracy is not just a form of government, but a way of life that requires active participation and constant vigilance.”
Pericles Quotes on Education
- “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” – Pericles
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” – Pericles
- “Wealth is not the number of possessions you have, but the number of lives you have touched.” – Pericles
- “The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage.” – Pericles
- “Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom.” – Pericles
- “Knowledge empowers individuals, but education empowers nations.” – Pericles
- “Education is the backbone of a thriving society.” – Pericles
- “The purpose of education is to create individuals who are capable of doing new things.” – Pericles
- “Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the kindling of a flame.” – Pericles
- “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Pericles
Pericles Quotes on War
- “Just because you do not take an interest in war doesn’t mean war won’t take an interest in you.”
- “We do not imitate, but are a model to others.”
- “Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft.”
- “Happiness depends on freedom, and freedom depends on courage.”
- “The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage.”
- “The powerful exact what they can, and the weak grant what they must.”
- “In action, one must dethrone fear and let the mind rule over the senses.”
- “War loves to seek out its victims in the young and the strong.”
- “We are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not the few.”
- “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
- “We are lovers of beauty without extravagance and lovers of wisdom without effeminacy.”
Pericles Quotes on Athens
Below are some of the best quotes from Pericles about the city of Athens:
| Quote | Description |
| “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” | This quote emphasizes the idea that the true legacy of a person is not what is physically left behind, but the impact they have on others. |
| “We do not imitate, but are a model to others.” | This quote expresses the belief that Athens is not a city that imitates others, but rather sets an example for other cities to follow. |
| “The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage.” | This quote suggests that true happiness can only be achieved through freedom, and that courage is necessary to obtain that freedom. |
| “Greatness is not a matter of being born in a particular city or country, but of possessing certain qualities.” | This quote emphasizes that greatness is not determined by one’s place of birth, but by the qualities and attributes one possesses. |
| “Our love for Athens is not blind, but rather based on an understanding of its greatness.” | This quote highlights the speaker’s love for Athens and suggests that it is not a blind love, but rather stems from an understanding of the city’s greatness. |
Pericles Quotes on Philosophy
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
Pericles understood the importance of leaving a lasting impact on the world. He believed that true legacy lies not in physical monuments, but in the influence we have on others and the mark we leave on their lives.
“Happiness is not derived from external circumstances, but from within ourselves.”
Pericles believed that true happiness does not depend on external factors, such as wealth or power, but on our own inner state of mind. He recognized that we have control over our own happiness and that it is not dictated by external circumstances.
“The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.”
Pericles understood that true happiness is linked to freedom, and that freedom requires the courage to stand up for what is right. He believed that true freedom comes from within and is not easily given or taken away.
“We do not imitate, but are instead a model to others.”
Pericles believed that we should strive to be an example for others, rather than simply imitating those who came before us. He recognized that true leadership stems from being a role model and setting a positive example.
“The whole earth is the sepulcher of famous men.”
Pericles understood that true greatness extends beyond physical boundaries and that the legacy of famous individuals lives on long after their physical bodies have perished. He believed that the impact we have on the world can transcend time and space.
Pericles Quotes on History
1. “Thucydides, we are told, when some foreigner inquired ‘Will the Spartans or the Athenians, when they have gained the upper hand, do the most damage to their respective cities?’ replied, ‘Whichever of them it be, they will do exactly what they have learnt to do, while they were still subject peoples, in overthrowing the established governments.'”
2. “The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; and their story is not graven only on stone over their native earth, but lives on far away, without visible symbol, woven into the stuff of other men’s lives.”
3. “Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.”
4. “The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.”
5. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
6. “Time is the wisest counsellor of all.”
7. “We do not imitate, but are a model to others.”
- “We throw open our city to the world.”
- “Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance, our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft.”
- “We are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.”
Pericles Quotes on Legacy
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
“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.”
“I am not concerned with buildings and statues, but with winning minds and hearts.”
“Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now.”
“A man’s character is his monument, and what a man does for his community is the true measure of his greatness.”
“It is our duty to transmit the legacy of our ancestors to the generations yet to come.”
“The legacy we leave behind is not just for our own sake, but for the progress of humanity.”