I say not, however, that you should invite the rest without adopting measures to protect yourselves: it would be folly, while you sacrifice your own interest, to profess a regard for that of strangers, or to alarm others about the future, while for the present you are unconcerned.
From a speech urging Athenians to take action against Philip, on the importance of self-preservation and strategic priorities.
Share
More from Demosthenes
If a man keep what he gets, he is thankful to fortune; if he lose it by imprudence, he loses withal his memory of the obligation.
To call him perjured and treacherous, without showing what he has done, might justly be termed idle abuse.
The present crisis, O Athenians, requires, if any ever did, much thought and counsel.
I am not ignorant, Athenians, that frequently, when any disappointment happens, you are angry, not with the parties in fault, but with the last speakers on the subject; yet never, with a view to self-protection, would I suppress what I…
Other voices in this conversation
