8-io] SPEECH OF NICIAS 1 85 another assembly was called to consider what steps should be taken for the immediate equipment of the expedition, and to vote any additional supplies which the generals might require. Nicias, who had been appointed general against his will, thought that the people had come to a wrong conclusion, and that upon slight if specious grounds they were aspiring to the conquest of Sicily, which was no easy task. So, being desirous of diverting the Athenians from their purpose, he came forward and admonished them in the following terms : —
- I know that we are assembled here to discuss the 9
preparations which are required for , , , , ■^ '^ . . ^ / iittist say wliat I our expedition to Sicily, but in my bcHn-e to be the truth. judgment it is still a question whether ^^"'^ ^ar is impolitic 1 . , J.U iU i. 11 and ill-timed. we ought to go thither at all ; we should not be hasty in determining a matter of so much importance, or allow ourselves to enter into an impolitic war at the instigation of foreigners. Yet to me personally war brings honour ; and I am as careless as any man about my own life : not that I think the worse of a citizen who takes a little thought about his life or his property, for I believe that the sense of a man's own interest will quicken his interest in the prosperity of the state. But I have never in my life been induced by the love of reputa- tion to say a single word contrary to what I thought ; neither will I now : I will say simply what I believe to be best. If I told you to take care of what you have and not to throw away present advantages in order to gain an uncertain and distant good, my words would be powerless against a temper like yours. I would rather argue that this is not the time for vigorous action, and that your great aims will not be easily realised. ' I tell you that in going to Sicily you are leaving many 10 enemies behind you, and seem to be bent on bringing new ones hither. You are perhaps relying upon the treaty recently made, which if 3'ou remain quiet may retain the name of a treaty; for to a mere name the intrigues of o 2
