Demosthenes: “The war now has left us nothing to keep; we have all to get, and the…”

On the recordc. 349 BC

The war now has left us nothing to keep; we have all to get, and the work must be done by ourselves.

Said by

Demosthenes

Source

Demosthenes declares that Athens has lost so much in the war that they must now rebuild everything through their own efforts.

More from Demosthenes

c. 349 BC

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.

c. 349 BC

Impossible is it,--impossible, Athenians,--to acquire a solid power by injustice and perjury and falsehood.

c. 349 BC

The present juncture, Athenians, all but proclaims aloud, that you must yourselves take these affairs in hand, if you care for their success.

c. 349 BC

Then are you not ashamed, that the very damage which you would suffer, if he had the power, you dare not seize the moment to inflict on him?

Other voices in this conversation

Demosthenes: “The war now has left us nothing to keep; we have all to get, and the work must be done by ourselves.”