He is convinced, you will not submit to be slaves; if you were inclined, you would not know how, having been accustomed to command: you will be able, should occasion offer, to give him more trouble than any people in the world.
Demosthenes asserts that Athenians, accustomed to leadership, are incapable of submitting to slavery and possess the strength to resist Philip.
Share
More from Demosthenes
On many occasions, men of Athens, one may see the kindness of the gods to this country manifested, but most signally, I think, on the present.
The present juncture, Athenians, all but proclaims aloud, that you must yourselves take these affairs in hand, if you care for their success.
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.
The present crisis, O Athenians, requires, if any ever did, much thought and counsel.
Other voices in this conversation
