Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens, generally considered the greatest of the Greek orators.
His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC.
Born: 384 BC, Athens, Greece
Died: 322 BC, Calaureia
All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
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.
The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once.
The fact speak for themselves.
Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.
The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.
Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.
Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.
What we wish, that we readily believe.
The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.
