Political Quotes

Demosthenes: Yet neither you, my countrymen, nor Thebans nor Lacedaemonians, were ever licensed by the Greeks to act as you pleased…

On the recordc. 349 BC
Yet neither you, my countrymen, nor Thebans nor Lacedaemonians, were ever licensed by the Greeks to act as you pleased; far otherwise.
Said by
Demosthenes

Editor's note · Context

From a speech arguing against the unchecked power of Philip II, contrasting it with the historical accountability of other Greek powers.

Share

More from Demosthenes

c. 349 BC

You need not pry into the future, but assure yourselves it will be disastrous, unless you attend to your duty, and are willing to act as becomes you.

gutenberg.org
c. 349 BC

Because, I conceive, measuring his calculations by ambition, by his desire of universal empire, without regard to peace, quiet, or justice, he saw plainly, that to a people of our character and principles nothing could he offer or give…

gutenberg.org
c. 349 BC

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.

gutenberg.org
c. 349 BC

To censure, I may be told, is easy for any man; to show what measures the case requires, is the part of a counselor.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation