Pericles — "The man who avoids public life is not merely idle, but useless."

"For we are a democracy, and our laws are equal to all alike in their private disputes, but in public, we are ruled by the will of the majority."

"The admiration of the present and succeeding ages will be ours, since we have not shrunk from any toil or danger."

"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 tha…"

"For the love of honor is the only thing that does not grow old, and in old age it is not wealth, but honor, that gives us joy."

"Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now."