Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.
– Herodotus
In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
– Herodotus
Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.
– Herodotus
Of all men's miseries the bitterest is this: to know so much and to have control over nothing.
– Herodotus
Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.
– Herodotus
The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.
– Herodotus
Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.
– Herodotus
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.
– Herodotus
If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad.
– Herodotus
Haste in every business brings failures.
– Herodotus
In peace, children inter their parents; war violates the order of nature and causes parents to inter their children.
– Herodotus
In soft regions are born soft men.
– Herodotus
It is better to be envied than pitied.
– Herodotus
Men trust their ears less than their eyes.
– Herodotus
The king's might is greater than human, and his arm is very long.
– Herodotus
When a woman removes her garment, she also removes the respect that is hers.
– Herodotus
Whatever comes from God is impossible for a man to turn back.
– Herodotus
The worst pain a man can suffer: to have insight into much and power over nothing.
– Herodotus
It is clear that not in one thing alone, but in many ways equality and freedom of speech are a good thing.
– 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
Illness strikes men when they are exposed to change.
– Herodotus
I never yet feared those men who set a place apart in the middle of their cities where they gather to cheat one another and swear oaths which they break.
– 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
Civil strife is as much a greater evil than a concerted war effort as war itself is worse than peace.
– Herodotus
But I like not these great success of yours for I know how jealous are the gods.