There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust.

Quote by Demosthenes

Topics: Trust Quotes

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

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

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

What we wish, that we readily believe.

No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to...

No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to...

Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.

Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states.

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.

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

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

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

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

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

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth...

What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth...

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry;...

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry;...

We have mistresses for pleasure, concubines to care for our daily bodys needs and wives...

We have mistresses for pleasure, concubines to care for our daily bodys needs and wives...

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

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

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

I am a citizen of the world.

I am a citizen of the world.

As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so...

As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so...

Self-trust is the first secret of success

Self-trust is the first secret of success

Confidence, like the soul, never returns whence it has once departed

Confidence, like the soul, never returns whence it has once departed

How close you are with someone is not based on how often you talk to...

How close you are with someone is not based on how often you talk to...