It is not I who have lost the Athenians, but the Athenians who have lost me.
We have the ability to be the Athens of modern times as opposed to the militaristic Sparta. I remind you that the Athenians wrote poetry. The Spartans did not.
. . . Athenians are addicted to innovation. They are daring beyond their judgment they toil on with little opportunity for enjoying, being ever engaged in getting, they were born into the world to take no rest themselves, and to give none to others.
The Athenians govern the Greeks; I govern the Athenians; you, my wife, govern me; your son governs you.
I will not allow the Athenians to sin twice against philosophy.
The Athenian democracy suffered much from that narrowness of patriotism which is the ruin of all nations.
O Athenians, what toil do I undergo to please you!
Demosthenes told Phocion, "The Athenians will kill you some day when they once are in a rage. " "And you," said he, "if they are once in their senses. "
