Historical voices

Yet neither you, my countrymen, nor Thebans nor Lacedaemonians, were ever licensed by the Greeks to act as you pleased; far otherwise.

Defend yourselves instantly, and I say you will be wise: delay it, and you may wish in vain to do so hereafter.

But that you will not say: for whoever contrives and prepares the means for my conquest, is at war with me, before he darts or draws the bow.

Don't say--what does it signify? how is the state concerned?--Whether it be a trifling matter, or of no concernment to you, is a different question: religion and justice have the same obligation, be the subject of the offense great or…

O heavens! would any rational being judge by words rather than by actions, who is at peace with him and who at war?

People who would never have harmed him, though they might have adopted measures of defense, he chose to deceive rather than warn them of his attack; and think ye he would declare war against you before he began it, and that while you are…

This it is that Philip purchases by all his expenditure, the privilege of assailing you without being assailed in turn.

But if any man supposes this to be a peace, which will enable Philip to master all else and attack you last, he is a madman, or he talks of a peace observed toward him by you, not toward you by him.

But if another, having arms in his hand and a large force around him, amuses you with the name of peace, while he carries on the operations of war, what is left but to defend yourselves?

Philip has indeed prevailed over your sloth and negligence, but not over the country: you have not been worsted; you have not even bestirred yourselves.

Because you performed no part of your duty, great or small, and therefore you fared ill: had you done all that became you, and your situation were the same, there would be no hope of amendment.

That which is the most lamentable in the past is best for the future.

For though our affairs are in a deplorable condition, though many sacrifices have been made, still, if you will choose to perform your duty, it is possible to repair it all.

If such be your disposition now, I must be silent: if you will listen to good advice without flattery, I am ready to speak.

The result has been, that in the assembly you give yourselves airs and are flattered at hearing nothing but compliments, in your measures and proceedings you are brought to the utmost peril.

I beg, Athenians, that you will not resent my plain speaking of the truth.

A variety of circumstances may have brought us to this state; our affairs have not declined from one or two causes only; but, if you rightly examine, you will find it chiefly owing to the orators, who study to please you rather than advise…

So when you are able no longer to disregard events, when, instead of hearing from me or others that these measures are against Athens, you all see it yourselves, and know it for certain, I expect you will be wrathful and exasperated.

But I imagine that what Philip is doing will grieve you hereafter more than it does now.

Will ye not beware, I said, lest, seeking deliverance from war, you find a master?

Every king and despot is a foe to freedom, an antagonist to laws.

You behold Philip, I said, a dispenser of gifts and promises: pray, if you are wise, that you may never know him for a cheat and a deceiver.

In truth, these too close connections with despots are not safe for republics.

He desires empire: he conceives you to be his only opponents.