Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 1.djvu/57

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PERICLES


I


IN FAVOR OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR[1]

(432 B.C.)

Born about 500 B.C., died in 429: entered public life about 4C9 as leader of the Democratic party; principal minister of the Athenian State after 444; commanded in the first Peloponnesian War.

I always adhere to the same opinion, Athenians, that we should make no concessions to the Lacedæmonians; altho I know that men are not persuaded to go to war, and act when engaged in it, with the same temper; but that, according to results, they also change their views. Still I see that the same advice, or nearly the same, must be given by me now as before; and I claim from those of you who are being persuaded to war, that you will support the common resolutions, should we ever meet with any reverse; or not, on the other hand, to lay any

  1. Delivered before the Assembly at Athens during a discussion of the Lacedæmonian demands. Reported by Thucydides. Translated by Henry Dale.
    As to the authenticity of the speeches here taken from Thucydides (those of Pericles, Cleon, Nicias, and Alcibiades), the statement of Thucydides on the subject must be kept in mind: "I have found it difficult to retain a memory of the precise words that I had heard spoken, and so it was with those who brought me report. I have made the persons say what it seemed to me most opportune

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