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.
Speaking to the assembly, Demosthenes attributes past military failures to Athenian negligence but views a current alliance opportunity as a sign of divine favor.
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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…
I request you, if I speak my mind, to be patient, and consider only, whether I speak the truth, and with a view to future amendment.
If a man keep what he gets, he is thankful to fortune; if he lose it by imprudence, he loses withal his memory of the obligation.
Wherefore, Athenians, we must be exceedingly careful of our future measures, that by amendment therein we may efface the shame of the past.
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