We are lovers of the beautiful, yet with economy, and we cultivate the intellect without effeminacy. Wealth we employ rather for use than for show, and we set more store by a confession of poverty than by a vaunt of riches.
Athenian statesman
From Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War', Pericles' Funeral Oration. This statement, while idealizing Athenian values, could be seen as subtly critical of other city-states or individuals who valued ostentatious wealth or lacked intellectual pursuits, thus being divisive in a broader Greek context.
431 BC (approximate, as recorded by Thucydides)
Found in 1 providers: gemini
Cross Reference
1 source
"For we are a city that is open to the world, and we never expel a foreigner from our midst, nor do we prevent anyone from learning or seeing anything, provided that by so doing he does not harm the st…"
Shocking"For if we are lovers of the beautiful, yet with economy, and lovers of wisdom, yet without softness, then we are unique."
Shocking"We do not make our friends by receiving favors, but by conferring them."
Shocking"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!"
Humorous"Who makes the fairest show means most deceit."
Humorous