Demosthenes: “When you have repealed these, and made the road to good counsel safe, then find a man to propose what you all know to be…”

You need not pry into the future, but assure yourselves it will be disastrous, unless you attend to your duty, and are willing to act as becomes you.

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.

Could decrees of themselves compel you to perform your duty, or execute what they prescribe, neither would you with many decrees have accomplished little or nothing, nor would Philip have insulted you so long.

Impossible is it,--impossible, Athenians,--to acquire a solid power by injustice and perjury and falsehood.