I am not ignorant, Athenians, that frequently, when any disappointment happens, you are angry, not with the parties in fault, but with the last speakers on the subject; yet never, with a view to self-protection, would I suppress what I deem for your interest.
Demosthenes expresses his commitment to speaking honestly for the public good, despite knowing that Athenians often blame messengers for bad news.
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The present crisis, O Athenians, requires, if any ever did, much thought and counsel.
It must then be our care, Athenians, that we are not more unkind to ourselves than circumstances have been; as it would be a foul, a most foul reproach, to have abandoned not only cities and places that once belonged to us, but also the…
Our numerous losses in war may justly be charged to our own negligence; but that they happened not long ago, and that an alliance, to counterbalance them, is open to our acceptance, I must regard as manifestations of divine favor.
When this has been secured, one may look out for revenge on Philip; but before we lay the foundation right, I deem it idle to talk about the end.
Other voices in this conversation
