Demosthenes

“Nothing is easier than self-deceit.”

“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what every man wishes, that he also believes to be true.”

“Was man wünscht, das glaubt auch jeder.”

“All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.”

“The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure, is to correct ourselves.”

“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.”

“Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.”

“There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.”

“A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.”

“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”

“You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.”

“To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.”