On the recordc. 349 BC
That our affairs are amiss, men of Athens, because you do nothing which is needful; if, notwithstanding you performed your duties, it were the same, there would be no hope of amendment.
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Demosthenes
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gutenberg.orgDemosthenes: “That our affairs are amiss, men of Athens, because you do nothing which is needful; if, notwithstanding you performed…”
Editor's note · Context
Demosthenes explains that Athens's problems stem from inaction, implying that taking necessary steps can lead to improvement.
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To call him perjured and treacherous, without showing what he has done, might justly be termed idle abuse.
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Wherefore, Athenians, we must be exceedingly careful of our future measures, that by amendment therein we may efface the shame of the past.
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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.
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So in political affairs, they who misuse their opportunities forget even the good which the gods send them; for every prior event is judged commonly by the last result.
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