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Founders, statesmen and world leaders — cited from their collected works.
The figures
But since these orators have appeared, who ask, What is your pleasure? what shall I move? how can I oblige you? the public welfare is complimented away for a moment's popularity, and these are the results; the orators thrive, you are…
I have not spoken for the idle purpose of giving offense: I am not so foolish or perverse, as to provoke your displeasure without intending your good: but I think an upright citizen should prefer the advancement of the commonweal to the…
It becomes not a wise or magnanimous people, to neglect military operations for want of money, and bear disgraces like these; or, while you snatch up arms to march against Corinthians and Megarians, to let Philip enslave Greek cities for…
The wishes of men are indeed a great help to such arguments, and therefore the easiest thing in the world is self-deceit; for every man believes what he wishes, though the reality is often different.
To pray is simple enough, Athenians, collecting all that one desires in a short petition: but to decide, when measures are the subject of consideration, is not quite so easy; for we must choose the profitable rather than the pleasant…
For so in battles, no runaway accuses himself, but his general, his neighbor, any one rather; though, sure enough, the defeat is owing to all the runaways; for each one who accuses the rest might have stood his ground, and had each done so…
Action, posterior in order of time to speaking and voting, is in efficacy prior and superior.
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.
Another thing, too, you should observe, Athenians, that a decree is worth nothing, without a readiness on your part to do what you determine.
It is unjust, that their authors should enjoy a popularity which has injured the commonwealth, while the adviser of salutary measures suffers by a displeasure that may lead to general improvement.
Such a person you will not find, especially as the only result would be, for the adviser and mover to suffer wrongfully, and, without forwarding matters, to render good counsel still more dangerous in future.
But before doing so, look not for one who will advise good measures and be destroyed by you for his pains.
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 desirable.
If you lend not the utmost possible aid, see how you will have manoeuvred every thing for Philip's benefit.
But here is the crisis of another war, the cause why I mentioned the past, that you may not repeat your error.
You see to what wretched plight we are reduced by some men haranguing for popularity.
I request you, if I speak my mind, to be patient, and consider only, whether I speak the truth, and with a view to future amendment.
For I have been taught both by hearsay and experience, that most of your advantages have escaped you, from unwillingness to do your duty, not from ignorance.
The present crisis, O Athenians, requires, if any ever did, much thought and counsel.
When this has been secured, one may look out for revenge on Philip; but before we lay the foundation right, I deem it idle to talk about the end.
The speeches, I find, are about punishing Philip; but our condition is come to this, that we must mind we are not first damaged ourselves.
Not the same ideas, men of Athens, are presented to me, when I look at our condition and when at the speeches which are delivered.
If ye act thus, not only will ye praise the speaker at the moment, but yourselves afterward, when the condition of the country is improved.
