Demosthenes: “First I say, you must not despond, Athenians, under your present circumstances, wretched as they are; for that which is…”

But I suppose, you inherit a reputation from your father and grandfather, which it were disgraceful in your own person to extinguish, whereas the ancestry of the state was ignoble and mean.

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

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.

For the riches of a state I consider to be allies, confidence, good-will; of all which you are destitute.