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?
Demosthenes poses a rhetorical question, highlighting the inequity of individuals who have fallen from grace acting arrogantly while the once-great Athenian state suffers humiliation.
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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…
They say that you should keep quiet, though you are injured; but they can not themselves keep quiet among you, though no one injures them.
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.
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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