He desires empire: he conceives you to be his only opponents.
Demosthenes: “He desires empire: he conceives you to be his only opponents.”
Editor's note · Context
Demosthenes warns the Athenians about Philip II of Macedon's imperial ambitions and his view of Athens as his primary obstacle.
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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?
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.
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.
Yea, among these men, some have risen rapidly from poverty to wealth, from meanness and obscurity to repute and honor, while you, on the contrary, have fallen from honor to obscurity, from wealth to indigence.





