Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.

ἐς ὀλίγους ἀλλ' ἐς πλείονας οἰκεῖν, δημοκρατία κέκληται.

Pericles

Politicians

Pericles

Athenian statesman and general (c.495-429 BC). He led Athens through its Golden Age, paid citizens for public service, and funded the Parthenon. His Funeral Oration remains a founding text of democracy.

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Source: トゥキュディデス『歴史』第2巻37 (葬送演説、紀元前431年)Verified

Pericles's Other Quotes

We do not regard the man who takes no interest in politics as one who minds his own business; we regard him as a useless character.

Poverty is no disgrace; the disgrace is in failing to struggle against it.

Time is the wisest counsellor of all.

Related Quotes

We do not regard the man who takes no interest in politics as one who minds his own business; we regard him as a useless character.

-- Pericles

Poverty is no disgrace; the disgrace is in failing to struggle against it.

-- Pericles