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Beware, said I, lest, seeking to be rid of war, you find a master.

— Demosthenes VI. Second Philippic (-2)

οὐ φυλάξεσθ᾿ ὅπως, ἔφην, μὴ πολέμου ζητοῦντες ἀπαλλαγῆναι δεσπότην εὕρητε

Original text (Ancient Greek)

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Notes from Wikiquote

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

Variants

(K. Freeman, 1952)

Topics

War

More quotes by Demosthenes

Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.

I. First Olynthiac (-8)

The end of life for all men is death, though one seek security by locking oneself in the innermost chamber.

XVIII. On the Crown (-330)

It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.

The easiest thing in the world is self-deceit; for every man believes what he wishes, though the reality is often different.

III. Third Olynthiac (-8)

It is impossible, men of Athens, impossible to gain permanent power by injustice, perjury, and falsehood.

II. Second Olynthiac (-8)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Demosthenes (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.