Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects. – Herodotus
Do you see how the god always hurls his bolts at the greatest houses and the tallest trees. For he is wont to thwart whatever is greater than the rest. – 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
Of all men’s miseries the bitterest is this: to know so much and to have control over nothing. – Herodotus
If someone were to put a proposition before men bidding them choose, after examination, the best customs in the world, each nation would certainly select its own. – Herodotus
Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh. – Herodotus
It’s impossible for someone who is human to have all good things together, just as there is no single country able to provide all good things for itself. – 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
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
Men’s fortunes are on a wheel, which in its turning suffers not the same man to prosper for ever. – Herodotus
If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it. – Herodotus
