For what you hold is, to speak somewhat plainly, a tyranny; to take it perhaps was wrong, but to let it go is unsafe.
Athenian statesman
From Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War', Pericles' last speech to the Athenians. A slightly different translation, but the same core controversial sentiment.
430 BC (approximate, as recorded by Thucydides)
Found in 1 providers: gemini
Cross Reference
1 source
"I am of the opinion that the individual who takes no part in public affairs is not to be regarded as a harmless, but as a useless character."
Controversial"Having knowledge but lacking the power to express it clearly is no better than never having any ideas at all."
Humorous"Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others so long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins t…"
Humorous"Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law; wh…"
Controversial"For you are angry with me, who have no hand in the matter, and with yourselves too, if I may say so, for assenting to my counsels and sharing in my errors."
Controversial