Political Quotes

Demosthenes: “But, by always neglecting the present, and imagining the future would shift for itself, we, O men of Athens, have…”

On the recordc. 349 BC
But, by always neglecting the present, and imagining the future would shift for itself, we, O men of Athens, have exalted Philip, and made him greater than any king of Macedon ever was.
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Demosthenes

Editor's note · Context

In a speech urging Athenians to confront Philip, Demosthenes criticizes their past inaction and its role in Philip's rise to power.

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If we admitted the truth of what would be your best possible answer, namely, that all you do is for honor and renown, I wonder what puts it into your head, that you ought from such motives to exert yourself and undergo toil and danger…

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I say, you must either desist from these practices, or blame none but yourselves for the wretched condition of your affairs.

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For this reason he will show us no mercy, if he get us into his power: and therefore you must make up your minds, that the struggle will be one for life and death.

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c. 349 BC

How is it equitable, that certain of these men, returned from prison, should not know themselves, while the state, that once protected all Greece and held the foremost place, is sunk in ignominy and humiliation?

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