Inspirational Sayings

30 sayings found from the Ancient era from 30 authors

The sage does not seek to change the world, but to change himself.

— Zhuangzi c. 4th century BCE
Inspirational

He who is without compassion is not a man.

— Mencius c. 4th-3rd century BCE
Inspirational

A good general does not fight with his troops, but with his strategy. A good king does not govern with his strength, but with his virtue.

— Xunzi c. 3rd century BCE
Inspirational

The skillful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

— Sun Tzu 5th century BCE
Inspirational

Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.

— Hypatia c. 400 CE
Inspirational

The only hope for the doomed is no hope at all.

— Virgil 29–19 BCE
Inspirational

The spirited horse, which will try to win the race of its own accord, will run even faster if encouraged.

— Ovid 2 CE
Inspirational

For what fortress, what city, in the wide extent of the Roman empire, can hope to exist, secure and impregnable, if it is our pleasure that it should be erased from the earth?

— Attila the Hun c. 450 AD
Inspirational

And for the following purpose am I having this inscription written: in order that my sons and grandsons may not consider making new conquests; or, if they do conquer, that they may take pleasure in mercy and light punishments; and that they may regar…

— Ashoka the Great c. 257 BCE
Inspirational

Do not waste the remainder of your life in speculating about your neighbors, unless with a view to some common good. For to speculate about what your neighbor is doing, and why, and what he is saying, and what he is thinking of, and for what purpose,…

— Marcus Aurelius c. 161-180 AD
Inspirational
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