Herodotus Quotes

‘Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.’ – Herodotus

‘In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.’ – Herodotus

‘Of all men’s miseries the bitterest is this: to know so much and to have control over nothing.’ – Herodotus

‘The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.’ – Herodotus

‘Whatever comes from God is impossible for a man to turn back.’ – Herodotus

‘Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.’ – Herodotus

‘There is nothing more foolish, nothing more given to outrage than a useless mob.’ – Herodotus

‘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

‘Force has no place where there is need of skill.’ – Herodotus

‘Illness strikes men when they are exposed to change.’ – Herodotus

‘All men’s gains are the fruit of venturing.’ – Herodotus

‘If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.’ – Herodotus

‘The most hateful human misfortune is for a wise man to have no influence.’ – Herodotus

‘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

‘Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men.’ – Herodotus

‘How much better a thing it is to be envied than to be pitied.’ – Herodotus

‘Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.’ – Herodotus

‘To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.’ – Herodotus

‘Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.’ – Herodotus

‘The gods love to punish whatever is greater than the rest.’ – Herodotus