38, 39] SPEECH OF CLEON 209 the possibility of future enterprises from the eloquence of an orator, but as to accomplished facts, instead of accepting ocular demonstration, you believe only what ingenious critics tell you a. No men are better dupes, sooner de- ceived by novel notions, or slower to follow approved advice. You despise what is familiar, while you arc worshippers of every new extravagance. Not a man of 3'ou but would be an orator if he could ; when he cannot, he will not yield the palm to a more successful rival : he would fain show that he does not let his wits come limping after, but that he can praise a sharp remark before it is well out of another's mouth; he would like to be as quick in anticipating what is said, as he is slow in foreseeing its consequences. You are always hankering after an ideal state, but you do not give your minds even to what is straight before you. In a word, you are at the mercy of your own ears, and sit like spectators attending a per- formance of sophists, but very unlike counsellors of a state. ' I want you to put aside this trifling, and therefore I say 39 to you that no single city has ever ^^^ ^^^ /,„, j,„,^ „^. injured us so deeply as Mytilene. I 50 umch harm as My- can excuse those who find our rule too '*'"., """^ ' '""^ , ■, so hillc reason. Our heavy to bear, or who have revolted ,„dulgn,ce has made because the enemy has compelled them insoleut. AoOks them. But islanders who had walls, ""^ peop/e Md he fumshea alike, for ihey and were unassailable by our enenues, ^re equaiiv guiiiy. if except at sea, and on that element were yott pardon them your sufficiently protected by a fleet of their ^'"- '"Jf' '"'" ,^' , . , J encouraged to revolt; own, who were independent and treated „„^ .^,g ,^„si f,(.glect by us with the highest regard, when our enemies to fight they act thus, they have not revolted "" "'"' ""'"■ (that word would imply that they were oppressed), but they have rebelled, and entering the ranks of our bitterest enemies have conspired with them to seek our ruin. And
- Cp. vii. 48 med.
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