mistakes, we must be open to understanding our society today. In today’s world evidence is shown that societies are not in very good conditions, morally. Even in the Hellenistic world moral is down and changes occur among men’s attitudes; this is one of the effects of war. Thucydides explains that after the Peloponnesian War begins, the entire Hellenic world is in commotion. When the troubles started in the cities, those who followed the movement carried the revolutionary spirit further and further, and attempted to outdo the reports of all those that had preceded them. Because of this, they started to change the meanings of words as they saw fit. For example, Thucydides states, “reckless daring is held to be loyal courage. Prudent delay is the excuse of a coward. Moderation is the disguise of unmanly weakness. To know everything is to do nothing. Frantic energy is the true quality of a man. A conspirator who wants to be safe is a recreant in disguise. The lover of violence is always trusted, and his opponent suspected. He who succeeds in a plot is deemed knowing, but a still greater master in craft is he who detects one.” According to Johnson, “those who do wrong to others are applauded, and so is he who encourages doing evil to someone who does not suspect. Revenge is dearer than self-preservation” (qtd. Johnson 122). These changes happen even today in American culture. Americans are taught to try to get to the top as soon as possible, however underhanded or deceitful they may have to be to get there. Perhaps Americans are not aware that they put this pressure to “live out your dreams” on their children. Some children are pushed so hard by their parents to succeed in school, sports, or even talents until the children eventually snap under all the pressure of their parents and society. Children are made to fulfill their parents’ dreams. Sometimes this pressure ...
