Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft. We regard wealth as something to be properly used, rather than as something to boast about. As for poverty, no one need be ashamed to admit it, the real shame is in not taking practical measures to escape from it.
Pericles
— Pericles
Athenian statesman and general (c.495–429 BC)
Download Image Share on X Share on Facebook

About This Quote

About Pericles

Pericles was athenian statesman and general (c.495–429 bc). Pericles was a Greek statesman and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Ancient Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, and was acclaimed by Thucydides, a contemporary historian, as "the first citizen of Athens". Read more on Wikipedia →

More quotes by Pericles

“Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.”
— Pericles
freedom

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. ”
— Pericles
politics

“Those who can truly be accounted brave are those who best know the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then go out, undeterred, to meet what is to come.”
— Pericles
bravery courage

“Make up your minds that happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.”
— Pericles
courage free-speech freedom happiness

“Wait for that wisest of all counselores, Time.”
— Pericles
confession counselors country-foods good

“[F]or grief is felt not so much for the want of what we have never known, as for the loss of that to which we have been long accustomed.”
— Pericles
grief sadness
View all quotes by Pericles →