I have not spoken for the idle purpose of giving offense: I am not so foolish or perverse, as to provoke your displeasure without intending your good: but I think an upright citizen should prefer the advancement of the commonweal to the gratification of his audience.
Demosthenes defends his blunt criticism of Athenian policies, asserting that an honest citizen must prioritize the public good over pleasing the audience.
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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.
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…
For the riches of a state I consider to be allies, confidence, good-will; of all which you are destitute.
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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