82 SrEECH OF THE CORINTHIANS [l cowardice, or carelessness ? ^ For you certainly do not escape such imputations by wrapping yourselves in that contemptuous wisdom which has so often » brought men to ruin, as in the end to be pronounced contemptible foil}'. 123 ' But why should wc dwell reproachfully upon the past, except in the interest of the present ? Irt eovic; to war you ,,, . ,, , , ,. . , ^ have the God and the ^e should rather, looking to the future, feeling of Hellas on your devote our energies to the task which side, and you will not ^.^ j-,a^g immediately in hand. By break the treaty. . . . . 1 • 1 1 labour to win virtue, — that is the lesson which we ^' have learnt from our fathers, and which you ought not to unlearn, because you chance to have some trifling advantage over them in wealth and power ; for men should not lose in the time of their wealth what was gained by them in their time of want. There are many reasons why you may advance with confidence. The God has spoken and has promised to take our part him.self. AH Hellas will fight at our side, from motives either of fear or of interest. And you will not break the treaty, — the God in bidding you go to war pronounces it to have been already broken, — but you will avenge the violation of it. For those who attack others, not those who defend them- selves, are the real violators of treaties <". 124 'On every ground you will be right in going to war: We cannot go on as '^ '^ ^""^ united advice; d and if you tveare. JVaristheway believe Community of interests to be to peace; but peace may the surest ground of Strength both to be the ivay to war. . , ,.,..,, , , ... states and individuals, send speedy aid '^ to the Potidaeans, who are Dorians and now besieged by lonians (for times have changed), and recover the
- Or, ' For we cannot suppose that, having avoided these errors, yox
have wrapped yourselves in that contemptuous wisdom, which has so often ' etc.
- • Reading j);urr. " Cp. i. 71 fin.
^ Reading rahTa: or, with all the MSS. retaining ravra : 'And as it is most certain that the policy which we recommend is for our advantage both as states and individuals, send speedy aid ' etc.
