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AUTHOR 
 
 ISOCRATES 
 
 TITLE: 
 
 ORATIONS AND 
 EPISTLES OF ... 
 
 PLA CE : 
 
 LONDON 
 
 DA TE : 
 
 1752 
 
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 Works Eng. Dios 
 
 Isoorates* ' ---^^r 
 
 The Orations and Epistles of Isoeratest tr« •-* 
 
 from the Greek by Mr. Josiiuh Dinsdale, and rev, by 
 the Rev, Mr* Young ... Londcii, Waller, 1752« 
 
 437 p, 20 om. 
 
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 PREFACE. 
 
 IF 1 R s T entertdned the thought of tranf- 
 lating this author's remains, becaufe I be- 
 lieved his writings the propereft of any 
 orator's for the inftrudlion of youth. 
 There is a candour^ lenity, and magnanimity 
 evcry^wTiefevifible in Jhis orations which are 
 
 left" "lis; He^' mculoites virtue in the fimpleft 
 and fublimeft mannei:, by th? deareft precepts, 
 and nobleft examples. In fine, the orator and 
 philofopher feem Jp rival each .other in his 
 works. Patriotifm and philanthropy fhine in 
 their brighteft blaze ; and if it was poflible, 
 T)y exhortation, to recover a depraved, finking 
 people from ruin to virtue and courage, his 
 magnanimous, moral eloquence would have 
 ""Hone it; but to efFed: fuch a wonderful change, 
 ~a~generous-minded king, or an united people, 
 Inuft, with a noble ardor, ftir up all to the 
 purfuit of what is laudable. The body poli- 
 tic alone can preferve alive languifhing popu- 
 lar virtue : all muft awaken from the lethargy 
 
 A 2 of 
 
 ^j o P '" Q 
 
^\ 
 
 ^*^ R E F A C E. 
 
 of avarice and voluptuoufnefs to recover a coun- 
 try's happliiefs and glory:^' In a word, there 
 ji^iift be a nationaLkipir^iiQn of the love of 
 Virtue and all true learning. However, our 
 author has aimed nobly, as^ a 'private perfon, 
 
 Jto attain 'The gWious ei^d. What a 4iftin- 
 ^uiihed love of'liis counfry, and theinterefls 
 orvtrfae7'is there throughout his works J To 
 
 " pralfe him a^ I ought, I mi]^ft repeat all their 
 biafftTef : he is his own be ft paintef. 
 
 All Will agree who think rationally, that 
 eloquence ihould be founded on folid reafons, 
 and inflamed with a noble zeal for virtue. 
 Thefe qualities feem to have been the claim of 
 few popular fpeakers. Perhaps there is a more 
 evident love of virtue and phiiofophy in this 
 author, than either Demofthenes or Cicero. 
 His courage, tho* calm and fedate, feems more 
 refolute;^ and he certain! j^ effedcd more in a 
 rcSred way, ly ^hiV cxlTortations to Philip of 
 Macedon, towards the deftrudion of the Per- 
 iian t)Tanny, than all the Athenian haranguers, 
 who were all, in a degree, fubjed to bribery. 
 Read his writings, and you perceive with what 
 flame of foul he exqtes his countrymen to op- 
 pofe the Barbarians ; "how ft'e endeavours to re- 
 idndlejtheir ardor for giory, and not only make 
 
 them emuTSe thHr^ neighbours Tirtues, but 
 
 --■•--•>-• - ■ . 
 
 furpafs 
 
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 P^ R jB P A C E. 
 
 furpafs them ! You will fee him exhort them to 
 union; roiife them u£ to aflift their friends \ to 
 ffudy tKe^arts of war as well as peace; to call 
 forth all their natural excellence, remember 
 their anceftors power and glory, and not be a 
 dilgrace to j^^ inheritance7 Imt 
 
 renBeTthe name ot Greece as much feared 
 and refpefted as it formerly was, after the de- 
 fKt of all the T?^^^ he tells 
 
 them, nothing but lieroic virtur^n'effea:. You 
 ^^% %i ?^^* be pui?Iic-fpirited, lovgrs of true 
 glory, of generofity to your fellow-citizens^ of 
 magnificence, of hofpitality, and poflefs all the 
 virtues of your ancellors^ who have purchafed 
 immortal glory in all hiftories. Self-intereftcd- 
 nefs or cowardice, never gained true glory, 
 
 .?".^"J9y^^ ^^y IP"g time reputation and 
 liberty. It is not due but to heroic philan- 
 thropy: fuch v^as that' of Codrus, of Miltia- 
 des, of LebnidaCbf ^hemlftocles, of Conon. 
 and all the heroes of antiquity. 
 
 ^A£ for his ftile, all is fmpoth, all harmo- 
 nious m IJocrateV-' there are no harfh elifions, 
 or meeting of rough confonants; and he ftudies 
 mufic and fweetnefs fo much, that there fome- 
 times feems a kind of langour in his periods, 
 reprefenting the converfation of tender lovers. 
 
 As 
 
"^ R E F A C^ 
 
 * 
 
 As for the tranflation, let the reader accept 
 this apology, that I neither defigned it too lite- 
 ral or paraphraftical. A tranflation fhould be 
 animated, which it cannot be without free- 
 dom : you otherwife have but the dead fpirit 
 of an author, efpecially if a claffic. What a 
 pitiful appearance does Virgil or Horace make 
 in flat, unfigurative profe ? And the ftme may 
 be faid, if I miftake not, of all too clofe tranf- 
 lations. A literal tranflation is all that is ex- 
 peded from a raw, unexperienced fchool-boy > 
 but is that the true fenfe of a polite author ? 
 So far from it, that it is a mere travefl:ie. I 
 therefore have endeavoured to obferve a me- 
 dium ; but the reader, who has fufficient ex- 
 perience of the Greek, mufl: decide of the per- 
 formance. 
 
 Let me fubjoin the character of our orator 
 drawn by Cicero and Dionyfius Halicarnaflfeus, 
 and I fliall conclude this preface. 
 
 Cicero in Eruto. 
 
 ** After tliefe appeared liberates, whofe 
 " houfe was, as it were, the public fchool of 
 '' all Greece, and the feat of eloquence, lie 
 ^* was a great orator, and per fed teacher, tho' 
 '* he fought not the glory of the b;ir, but gain- 
 
 ** ed 
 
 
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 PREFACE. 
 
 ed that fame within his own houfe, which, 
 in my opinion, none of thofe who followed 
 him, could arrive at. He compofed many 
 noble orations, and both excelled the anci- 
 ents in other refpecls, aM' in this j3artku- 
 larly, that he firfl: remarked, that even in 
 profe, (tho' verfification fliould be avoided) 
 there fliould be.obferyed numbers and har- 
 mony. . If this happened in the writings of 
 any before him, it happened by chance, and 
 not by art, defign, or regular method." /* 
 
 fv ntirr^ f- 
 
 "DiontsiiHalica r n 4 as ii iudicium dc 
 
 Isocra^tj:. 
 
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 " IsocRATEs deferves' difl:inguiihed pr^ife 
 for his noble orations, and particularly for 
 the grandeur, beauty, and fublimity of the 
 fubj edls . They .are not only capable of im- 
 proving others in eloauence, but of quali- 
 Jyingjthem^ by the moft yirtuQus^^^^^ 
 to govern v^ell a private family, or a king- 
 dom. ^ I repeat it, the moflxkmQiiSXules of 
 life are found in Ifocrates j and, in my opi- 
 nion, if any would embrace that true philo- 
 fophy, which confifl:s not in fpeculation 
 only, but in fuitable adions ; nor confines 
 felicity to itfelf, I would counfel fuch a one, 
 
 ^' never 
 
 II 
 
 \ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 " never to omit a day without ftudying this 
 ^* philofophic orator/' 
 
 A s for the particulars of his life, they are 
 but few and common, as is ufual in fefped: of 
 men of literature 5 cxclufive of this, that he 
 was more intimate with all the great men of 
 his time, than, perhaps^ any dth^riearned man 
 ^ philofopher, and enjoyed the pleafure of 
 ^ory, ftu4y> and books^^jo^jn extreme old 
 
 "age.. ^ ,:.r; 
 
 I M u s T now acknowledge the kind aflift- 
 ance I have had from a very learned, ingeni- 
 ous gentleman, in feveral difficult and obfcure 
 vaxt^ ef this author* 
 
 
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 ^)ec^^)«<)Si)^.^M58(>0^)8(^)E^)e()eOe(XOeOe(M)e( 
 
 THE FIRST 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES: 
 
 T O 
 
 DEMONICUS. 
 
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 The SUBJECT. 
 
 n^HE defgn of this oration is to perfuade all 
 •^ noble youths to love and prakife exalted 
 virtues ; that they may pafs their lives not only 
 with fatisfaSf ion andpleafiire^ but alfo with ho- 
 7iour and glory : wherefore thefe delightful and 
 ufefid precepts ought to be flu died by all youthful 
 ingenuous minds ^ as the foUdbafs of reputation 
 CJid a happy life-, for nc?2e can ever repent 
 t he mf elves of fuch an application. Eloquence 
 ^nd philofophy^ perhaps^ were never more ad^ 
 vantageoifly iimted than in this celebrated au^ 
 thors writings. 
 
 / 
 
 M 
 
 is] 
 
 THE FIRST 
 
 Oration oFIsocrates. 
 
 T o 
 
 DEMONICUS. 
 
 [HERE is a great difFeience In the fentiments 
 of the good and bad, in regard to the oeco- 
 nomy of life ; but in nothing more than in 
 that which regards friendfliip. The bad fhew 
 kindnefs to their friends only when prefent ; 
 but the good love them, though abfent. A little time will 
 put an end to the pretended friepdfhips of the former ; but 
 the friendfhips of the latter continue and fhine through life. 
 I therefore, out of convi£lion that noble minds, which are 
 defirous of immortal glory, ought to imitate, not. the ex- 
 amples of the bad, but the patterns of heroic virtue, fend 
 you this eflay, as a proof of my friendfliip, and, at the 
 fame time, of my gratitude, to Hipponicus, your generous 
 father ; for heirs have a right not only to their fathers eftates, 
 
 B 2 but 
 
 ]>-^ 
 
 / 
 
 1 u 
 
4 The ORATIONS 
 
 but to their frientllhlps *. Fortune, and the circumflance 
 of time, favour my intention ; for you admire learning, 
 and I make profcflion of inflru6ling others: in a word, 
 you fludy philofophy, and I direcSl others in it. Thofe 
 who write the rules of eloquence, and exhort to induftry, 
 and the acquifition of knowledge, do a noble adion, yet 
 reach not the perfection of philofophy : but thofe who in- 
 form youth, not of the methods only of attaining eloquence, 
 and poliihing their reafon, but likewifc of cultivating their 
 manners, ■ and acquiring real virtue, devote their labours 
 to much more glorious purpofcs, in the fame proportion as 
 it is more excellent to be a good and wife man, than learned 
 and eloquent. Wherefore, omitting pcrfuafion, and only 
 laying down the folid precepts of life, I defign to fhew you 
 what youth ought to emulate and praclifc, and what to dc- 
 fpife and avoid ; what company they ought to chufe, and 
 how to diredl the whole courfe of tlieir lives: for they alone, 
 who have been careful of obferving fuch rules from theiirli; 
 dawn of reafon, have attained the highcR: point of human 
 glory and virtue, which is a felicity above all other happi- 
 nefs that mortals can aim at. A fhortjiime deftroys beauty, 
 or ficknefs withers it : riches are rather the inflruments of 
 vice, than the friends of virtue, as they give loofe reins to 
 luxury, and precipitate youth into fliamcful pleafures, and 
 irretrievable difhonour. Great ftrejigth has, indeed, with 
 prudence, benetited the pofleflbrs ; but, without it, has 
 often been their total ruin ; has invigorated the body, but 
 darkened and enfavaged the mind. It is virtue alone, which, 
 if once not only rooted, but brought to perfedion in the 
 
 * This is a noble philofophic fentiment, and worthy of our 
 author. It Ihews, that children ought to emulate particularly 
 their parents virtues, and defer to their judgment in the choice 
 of their friends. Who Demonicus was, is not clearly known i 
 but he muft have been a perfon of great diftindion. 
 
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 oflSOCRATES. s 
 
 jnlnd, bears the fruit of glory in old age f. It is more pro- 
 litable than riches, and more excellent than nobility; mak- 
 incr v/hat is impoffiblc to others natural and eafy to its 
 pofieflbrs ; filling them with generous, exalted fentiments, 
 and refining their minds to the laft degree of excellence and 
 glory, wliat alarms and terrifies others, it meets with 
 fntrepidity and courage, and judges cowardice and mean- 
 fpiritednefs infamy and difgrace; but labour and courage, 
 immortal merit and reputation. An heroic example of this 
 is the life of Hercules and Thefeus, the glory of whofe 
 actions have confccrated them to eternal fame; for all fu- 
 .ture duration will not be able to obfcure the brightnefs of 
 their magnanimity and virtues. But you, by reflecting only 
 on your'^father's excellencies, have a noble pattern of my 
 doarine ; for he had an exalted idea of virtue, and did not 
 judge his nature unworthy of gloiy : he perfeded his bodily 
 qualities by temperance and exeicife, and his mind by ftudy 
 and virtue : his courage was confummate : he loved not 
 riches immoderately ; but, with a noble and generous ceco- 
 nomy, enjoyed his affluence as a mortal; but, with pru- 
 dence, avoided profufion, as if he was to be immortal. Nor 
 did he live with fuch parfimony as to betray an exceflive love 
 or admiration of riches; but was a lover, in his houfe, of 
 fplendor and magnificence, and bountiful to all his friends^ 
 but efpecially thofe of merit, who needed it moft. He was 
 not like fome weak perlbns, who yield to importunity, and 
 ne<^led modeft merit ; and he valued thofe who loved him, 
 and imitated his virtues, rather than fuch as were related to 
 him by blood ; for he judged, that nature ought to have a 
 greater fhare in our friendlhips than law ; and that a fimi- 
 litude of manners was a clofer connexion than that of 
 blood ; and choice, a ftronger tie than that of nature. The 
 whole time would be fpent, did I enumerate all his virtues 
 
 f This encomium of virtue muft be allowed juft by every 
 reafonable man ; for, if there be an excellency in human nature, 
 it is evident, by the effeds, that it is virtue. 
 
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// 
 
 6 The ORATIONS 
 
 and generous anions ; but I fhall more at large do juflice 
 to them upon another occafion ; and have only mentioned 
 Hipponicus, as an incentive to you his fon in the roll of 
 heroic glory % '• for you ought to efteem your father's ex* 
 ample, in good, the moft obligatory law, and be fired with 
 zeal to emulate his virtues. It is a fhame, that painters 
 fhould exprefs the beauties of different creatures, and chil- 
 dren not imitate their father's praife-v/orthy qualities. Be- 
 lieve me, it lefs becomes the Athletes to endeavour to equal 
 their antagoniils, than it docs a fon to endeavour not to 
 fall fhort of his father's glory ; but this is impoflible, if youth 
 is not improved by all the noble inflrudions of philofophy, 
 as well as example. The body, indeed, is rendered ner- 
 vous by labour and exercife ; but the foul by reafon and 
 good precepts : wherefore it is my defign to lay down an 
 abridgement of fuch inftruclions, or general rules, whereby 
 you may acquire the- reputation of virtue, and be rendered 
 glorious to pofterity. 
 
 In the firft place, (hew your gratitude to heaven, not 
 only by facrifices, but a fteady veracity, and facred obfer- 
 vancc of all leagues and oaths. The firft fhews, indeed, 
 fplendor and gratitude ; but the latter only a truly noble, 
 god-like mind. Worfhip God fincerely always in your 
 heart, and publicly with your country ; for, by doino- fo, 
 you will have the reputation of a religious man, and a lover 
 of your native laws. Be fuch towards your parents, as 
 you would hope your children fhould be towards you. Ufe 
 exercife rather for health, than ftrcngth, or beauty. You 
 will beft attain this, if you leave it off before nature Is fa- 
 tigued. Love not immoderate laughter, nor bold, injurious 
 language : the one is foolifli, and the other has a fvmptom 
 of madnefs. Think it a difgrace to mention what is immo- 
 deft in the adion. Be not aullere and gloomy, but feicne 
 
 t A young perfon, who is infenfible to this reafoain^, mul^ 
 have a corrupt, low-minded difpofitioti, ' "^ 
 
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 V\<i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 7 
 
 and grave : by the firft behaviour you would be thought 
 proud ; but, by the latter, will be efteemed a man of wortli 
 and credit. Believe decency of drefs, modefty, jufticc, and 
 temperance, the true ornaments of mankind; for in thefe 
 virtues confifts the true nobility of human nature *. Never 
 imagine you can conceal a bad adion ; for, though you 
 hide it from others, your own confcience will condemn 
 you. Be good, and have your own approbation. Fear 
 God, honour your parents, reverence your friends, obey 
 the laws, purfue virtuous pleafures : virtuous pleafure is the 
 pureft fource of happincfs ; and vicious pleafure a gulf of 
 infamy and difgrace. Avoid public reproaches and fufpi- 
 cions, though they be ill-grounded ; for the generality of 
 men know no criterion of truth, but are led by popular 
 opinion. Be perfuaded that every bafe adion will at laft 
 take air. You will gain the moft lafting praife, if you arc 
 never known to do what you blame in others. What you 
 have learned, preferve frefh in your memory by meditation; 
 and what you are ignorant of, acquaint yourfelf with by 
 the ftudy of arts and fciences. It is the duty of every man 
 to improve his knowledge, will, and underftanding. It is 
 as <^reat a (hame to hear rational, inftrudlive difcourfe, and 
 not be attentive to it, as to rejedl with fcorn a valuable^ 
 gift. Employ your licfure in good company and inftruc- \ 
 tion ; for, by this means, you will make familiar to you the j 
 noble and arduous inventions of others. Think philofophy } 
 a. greater treafure than immenfe fums of gold : for gold is 
 apt to take wings, and fly away ; but philofophy and virtue / 
 are unalienable poflbffions. Wifdom is the only immortal 
 inheritance. Look upon it as no hardfhip to travel into a 
 foreign country to learn what is conducive to heroic virtue; 
 
 * This is truly a Socratic doarine, which Cicero has inferted 
 in his Offices. The great Athenian philofopher looked upon 
 man's confcience, as it were a preience-room of the Deity, 
 where every man was forced to do himfelf juftice for his con- 
 cealed crimes. 
 
 B 4 ^or 
 
 5 ■• 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
8 The ORATIONS 
 
 for it Is a difgrace to human nature to fee merchants cro(s 
 fuch vaft fcas in hope of gain, and young noblemen not 
 bear land-travels for the bettering and perfecting their minds. 
 Love eafy, free converfation, and be affable to all. It is 
 the duty of civility to fpeak kindly to vifitcrs; and the duty 
 of affability to offend no one in converfation. Make your 
 manners and filence your greatefl reproofs. Be, as I have 
 faid, candid and free to all ; but familiar only with the fm- 
 cere and good : for, by fo doing, you will oiFend none, 
 and have the choiceft friends. Be not too frequently in the 
 fame company, nor fpeak frequently of the fame things ; 
 for there is a fV.ficty of all things. lJ{c voluntary exercifc, 
 that, upon occafion, you may bear involuntary labour. Gain 
 true learning, that you may not be fhamefully impofed upon 
 . by pretenders to it. What you would think it a diforace to 
 be excelled in, make yourfelf betimes a mafler of. Be not 
 overcome by infamous paflions, avarice, anger, voluptu- 
 oufnefs, melancholy, and defpair. You will overcome co- 
 vetoufnefs, if you think equity and juftice the nobleft trea- 
 fure. You will overcome anger, if you difpofe yourfelf to 
 be fuch towards thofe who commit faults, as you would de- 
 fire others to be towards you in a like cafe. You will over- 
 come bafc pleafures, by thinking it a difgrace to command 
 your domeflics, and, at the fame time, be a flave to fenfual 
 appetites. You will overcome difpondcncy and defpair, by 
 confidcring the misfortunes of other men, and remembering 
 that you yourfelf are but a man. When a fecret is com- 
 mitted to you, keep it more religioufly than you woul4 
 gold and filver entrufted with you ; for a good man's word 
 fhould be more facrcd than another's oath. Think it as 
 much your duty to be diffruflful of the bad, as to trufl the 
 good. Never reveal to any your fecret, unlefs it fhould 
 prove ;^3 beneficial to oiheii to conceal it, as to yourfelf not 
 to have it known. Swear, if required, upon two occa- 
 lions ; cttlier to free yourfdf from an ignominious accufa* 
 tioii, or fave your friends from danger or injuftlce. For 
 
 thg 
 
 
 
 !^ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 9 
 
 the fake of your own money, never call God to witnefs 
 your words, though you fhould fwear truly : fome will elfc 
 either imagine you forefworn, or a flave to intereft. Admit 
 no one into your fricndfliip, before you have inquired dili- 
 gently how he has behaved to his former friends ; for you 
 may cxpea, that he will behave to you as he has to them. 
 Contract fricndfhip flowly ; but once a friend, endeavour 
 to be always fo. The infamy is near the lame to have no 
 friend at all, and frequently to change your companions. 
 Neither try your friends at your own hazard, nor be igno- 
 rant of their fmcerlty : you will befl efica this, if, when 
 you are not in nccclTity, you preter.d to be fo. Truft them- 
 with what is not, as if it was a iccret of moment ; for, 
 though miflakcn in your notion of their probity, you will 
 not be hurt : but, fhould you not be deceived, you will the 
 better know their manners. Judge of your iriends in the 
 misfortunes of your life, and their voluntary fharing of 
 danger : for we prove gold hy fire ; hut v/e know befl our 
 rearfriends m diftrcfs and aiHiction. You will behave in 
 the moft generous manner towards your friends, if you do 
 not wait for their prayers ; but, by a ipontaneous aiTiflance, 
 prevent their defires in their necelTities. Think it the fame 
 difgrace to be exceeded by your friends in kind aclions, as 
 to be trampled upon by the injuflice of your enemies. 
 El^eem thofe friends that grieve not ^^nly for your adverfity, 
 but do not envy you in your profperity : for many mourn 
 for their friends who are in afflldtion j but look not with 
 an eafy eye upon their happinels or promotion. Speak ho- 
 nourably of ^ur abfcnt to your prefent friends, that they 
 may believe you will not fet light by them in their abfence. 
 Be elegant and genteel in your drefs , but not tawdry and 
 whimiical. Value not yourfelf upon the greatnefs of your 
 riches, but the rational ufe of them. Defpife thofe who 
 endeavour to heap up wealth, but are not qualified to enjoy 
 it : they a£l much the lame as that perfon would do, who 
 fhould purchafe a line horfe, though he knev/ not how to 
 
 rido 
 
 
10 The ORATIONS 
 
 ride him. Make your cflate a real good, as well as a pof- 
 feilion. Riches are of fervice to thofe who underftand how 
 to make a right ufe of them ; but a mere poflefllon to thofe, 
 who have not fouls adequate to the wife and juft employ- 
 ment of them. Have a due value for the goods of fortune, 
 on two accounts : the firft, that you may be able to bear a 
 great lofs, and aflift a worthy unhappy friend. In all other 
 refpecls, love not violently, but moderately, the pofTeflion 
 of riches. Be fatisficd with the prefent; but have in view 
 what is better. Never objedl to any one his misfortune ; 
 for chance is common, and futurity unknown. A(Sl kindly 
 by the good ; for gratitude due from a good man is a noble 
 treafure. If you do good to the bad, you will a6t juft as 
 wifely as if you fed other mens dogs ; for they bark at their 
 benefactors equally as at ftrangers ; and wicked men hurt 
 their friends as readily as their enemies. Deteft flatterers, 
 as you would deceivers ; for both of them, if once believed, 
 will prejudice thcfe who put confidence in them. If you 
 prefer fuch friends as flatter your vices, you will not find 
 fuch as are willing, for your good, to incur your difplea- 
 furc. Be afFable to thofe you meet, and not grave or au- 
 ilere : for even flaves can hardly bear with fupercilioufnefs 
 and pride ; but all men love fwectnefs of manners and afta- 
 bility. You will be aflTable and polite, if youihun difpute, 
 are not morofe, nor quarrclfome on flight occafions, not 
 haftily oppofing your friends in anger, though they fhould 
 happen to be unjuftly fo with you ; but, while they are un- 
 der the influence of paflion, give way to them, and, when 
 cooled, with reafon reprehend them. Be notfcrious injo- 
 cofe affairs, nor delight in rallery, when the bufmeis is of 
 moment; for what is out of feafon is never pleafmg. Do 
 not lofethe grace of a kind action, which many perfons do, 
 by afufting their fiiends unwillingly. Be not fubjeCl to ac- 
 cu(c others ; for it is odious : nor fet yourfelf up as a cen- 
 fof ; for it is apt to provoke men to anger. Above all 
 ±i>]gS5 avoid converfaiion over liq'jor 5 but if you happen 
 
 tQ 
 
 \ 
 
 >v*. 
 
 f«' 
 
 ' m\i' 
 
 \ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. II 
 
 to fall into fuch company, arife before you arc intoxi- 
 cated: for when the underftanding is difordered by wine, it 
 is like a chariot which has flung ofF its driver ; for a 
 chariot wanting a diredling hand. Is hurried without or- 
 der ; and the foul is full of error and deception, when the 
 mind is darkened with ftrong liquors. Aim at immorta- 
 lity by your heroic adions ; but let yourcondud be fo pru- 
 dent, that you never become forgetful of mortality. Judge 
 learning in proportion more excellent than ignorance, as 
 all other vices almoft are attended with fome gain ; but ig- 
 norance is produaive of nothing but detriment. Of thofe 
 you would make your friends, fpeak frequently fome good 
 to fuch as will tell them again : for praife is the beginning 
 of friendfhip, as difpraife is of enmity. If you confult 
 about an affair of importance, judge by the paft of what 
 may happen ; for what is obfcure is beft cleared up by what 
 is manifeft. Confult leifurely, but execute fpeedily, your 
 determinations. Believe the greatefl happinefs we can ex- 
 pea from God, to be good fuccefs ; but the higheft we can 
 from ourfelves, to be good counfel. If you are aihamed to 
 fpeak openly about an afi:alr, but think proper to know 
 fome friend's opinion, introduce your difcourfe as about 
 another's affair ; by that means you will perceive his fenti- 
 ment, and will not difcover yourfelf. When you defign to 
 afk any one's advice, confider how he has acled in his own 
 behalf: for he who has judged indifcreetly about what con- 
 cerned himfelf, will never advife prudently about the affair 
 of another. You will be the more excited to make con- 
 fult4tion, if you confider diligently the mifchiefs of preci. 
 pitation. For we have the jufteft value of health, when 
 we remember the painji that attend ficknefs. Imitate the 
 manners of kings, and follow their cufloms. By this 
 means, you will feem to approve of, and emulate them ; 
 fo that, by fuch behaviour, you will be more venerable to 
 the people, and be fccure of the friendfhip of potentates. 
 Obey the laws of kings ; but think their own examples to 
 be the flrongeft law. For as a perfon who lives in a re- 
 public. 
 
12 The ORATIONS 
 
 public, is obliged to humour the people, fo he who lives 
 under a monarchy, ought to admire and venerate the king. 
 In a public poft, ufe no vicious under-mlniller ; for all will 
 attribute to you his faults. Leave public employments not 
 the richer, but the more glorious : for the love and praife of 
 the public is preferable to accumulated riches. Neither aflift 
 or abet any bad adion ; for you will be thought to do the 
 fajBC things which you approve of in others. Acquire the 
 power of acting freely ; but always dirca your actions by 
 equity, to tlie end you may be thought to love juftice, not 
 out of weaknefs, but freedom and goodnefs. Chufc rather 
 KoFieft poverty than difhoneft riches : for juftice is far better 
 than riches, as the latter only profits the poffeflbr in life, but 
 the firft crowns the very dead with fame and glory. Riches 
 may be the portion of the bad ; but equity is the property of 
 the sood, and an impoflible acquifition to the vicious. 
 Never emulate thofc who gain by injuftice ; but rather ad- 
 mire thofe who fuftcr prejudice for juftice : for (hould the 
 good excel the bad in nothing elfe, they certainly have the 
 better of them by good hope in futurit)^ Ec careful of 
 whatever may conduce to a happy life, but efpecially im- 
 prove the folidity of your underftanding : for a good mind 
 is the greateft treafurc in a man's body. Endeavour to ha- 
 bituate yourfelf to labour y but let the exercife of your mind 
 be wifdom, that your body may be able to execute what 
 vou judge proper, and your underftanding fee what is pro- 
 fitable. Whatever you defign to fay, examine in your 
 mind well firft ; for many perfons tongues run before their 
 judgment. Think nothing conftant in human life ; for, by 
 this means, you will not be too elate in profperity, nor de- 
 jected in adverfity. Think there are two occafions of 
 fpeaking, either about what you perfectly know, or about 
 what is neceftary you fhould fpeak of; for, in thefe two 
 cafes alone, fpeaking is better than filence : in others, it is 
 more prudent to be filentthan to fpeak. Take a juft plea- 
 foe in profperitvj ^n^ grieve not immoderately in adverfity, 
 
 but 
 
 / 
 
 V 
 
 \* 
 
 r 
 
 Of I S O C R A T E S. 13 
 
 but do not {6 in either cafe openly to all : for it Is abfurd to 
 hide our fubftance in our houfcs, and let our minds be vi- 
 able to ftrangers. Avoid difpraifc more than danger : the 
 end of life ought juftly to be formidable to the bad j but in- 
 famy only ought to be fo to the good. Above all, endea- 
 vour to live in fecurity ; but if you fliould be obliged to run 
 the hazard of war, fcek Ijfe and lafety with honour, but 
 never with difgrace. Providence has determined all (hall 
 die ; but nature and equity allows none but the good and 
 brave to do fo with honour. Wonder not that many things 
 I have faid, agree not with your prefent age: I am not ig- 
 norant thev do not ; I chofe by this treatife to give both pro- 
 per advice at this time, and leave a rule for the time to 
 come. You will eafdy now undcrftand the utility of thefe 
 precepts i but you will not always find a benevolent coun- 
 sellor. Wherefore, that you might not ftand in need of 
 afking the reft from another, but find it in this eflay, as in 
 a ftoi^-houfe, I thought I ought to omit nothing of thofe 
 things I have to advife you, I ftiould return heaven my 
 fincereft thanks, if I am not deceived in the opinion I have 
 of you. We ftili find moft men are not pleafed with the 
 bcft, but with the moft lufcious things, and will rather chufe 
 thofe friends who participate in their vices, than fuch as 
 give them good counfcl. But I judge otherwife of you by 
 this proof, ^that you have hitherto been diligent in all other 
 learning: for it is natural, that he who has always com- 
 manded himfelf in what he knew to be good, fliould lifteu 
 willingly to another's juft exhortation. Above all, you will 
 particularly ftir up yourfelf to the emulation of virtue, if 
 you perfuade yourfelf, that the pureft plcafures fpring from 
 it alone : for, by floth and luxury, forrow foon follows falfe. 
 pleafure ; but from labour to attain virtue, from temperance 
 and regularity of life, flow tlie moft fcnfible and lafting 
 joys. In the firft cafe, we have a tranfient pleafure, but 
 are afterwards pained : in the other, after induftry comes 
 folid fatlsfadion. And in all our anions wc have not fo 
 
 lively 
 
 \*' 
 
14 The ORATIONS 
 
 lively a remembrance of the beginning as of the concluriorf : 
 for we do the moft of our aflions not fof themfelves, but 
 for the fake of their confequences. Reflect, that the 
 bad aa wantonly, without reafon ; if they had any folid 
 maxims, they would endeavour to corre(5l themfelves , 
 good men cannot prevail on themfelves to be regardlefs of 
 virtue, or infenfible of public cenfure: for none are fo odi- 
 ous as fuch who pretend to be good, and differ in nothing 
 from the vulgar: and this is but juft. If we defpife thofc 
 whom we find guilty of a falfity in converfation, what muft 
 we think of thofe who are thus guilty through their whole 
 life ? We muft with reafon think, that fuch are not only 
 unjuft to themfelves, but to all the advantages of fortune : 
 for I fuppofe, that fhe has given them riches, and honours, 
 and friends ; but they render themfelves unworthy of their 
 happinefs. If it is permitted a mortal to judge of the minds 
 of the immortal gods, I think they have declared, by their 
 own conduct towards the neareft related to themfelves, 
 what their difpofition is towards the good and bad of man- 
 kind : for though Jupiter begot Hercules and Tantalus (as 
 mythology fays, and we believe), the one he made immor- 
 tal and happy, in recompence of his virtues ; but the other 
 he condemned to the fevereft puni/liments. Wherefore it 
 becomes us, by their examples, to endeavour after virtue : 
 nor only to regard what I have faid, but acquaint ourfelves 
 with the noblcft fentiments of the poets, and other wife 
 men by profeifion, if they have faid any thing that juftly 
 deferves efteem and admiration: for as we fee the induf- 
 trious prudent bee light on every fragrant blofFom, and fuck 
 what is ufeful from it, fo it becomes the true lovers of learn- 
 ing to be ignorant of nothing that is profitable, but gather 
 goodnefs and difcretion from all writers. Yet with all this 
 caie and application, we (hall, with difficulty, overcome the 
 depravity of human nature. 
 
 
 -J 
 
 ^ • m 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 ■i-' 
 
 G^M:^Q^'^Q^Xi^Qi^:^^il^<^^^^Q^'^ 
 
 THE SECOND 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES 
 
 T O 
 
 NICOCLES: 
 
 Upon the juft and wife 
 
 Government of aKiNGDo m. 
 
 es?^(^Qs5<^C4^^<^Q^49e^ 
 
 THE 
 
 
The SUBJECT. 
 
 * 
 
 ^ /p t^^ former Oration laid do^n the moji 
 ty^ generous rules of private life.fo this con- 
 tains direSlionsfor a wife and happy government. 
 Nothing can be imagined 7iobler than the defign^ 
 nor any thing almoji executed in a more majlerly 
 manner. Here are the out-lines, if 1 may ufe 
 the expreffion, of that perfect example of a wife 
 merciful government, which is jujily admired in 
 Telemachus : infne, all the maxims of royal 
 benevolence y and principles of univcrfal philan- 
 thropy, are to be found here, as in a well-difpofed, 
 exhaujllefs magazine of the ?naxi?ns, whereby to 
 render flourijhing and profperous a whole kijigdom. 
 How happy would all nations be, did all ki?igs 
 know and practice thefe elevated lentifnents ! 
 
 ■?.• 
 
 
 
 [ ^7] 
 
 i 
 
 
 THE 
 
 Oration of Isocrates 
 
 T o 
 
 N I C O C L E S: 
 
 UPON THE WISE 
 
 Management of a KingdoiIi, 
 
 As for thofe, O Nlcodes, who prefent kings with 
 rich veftments, filver, ingenioufly wrought gold, 
 or any thing of fuch a nature, as they are indi- 
 gent of themfelves, and you abound in ; fuch, I fay, feem 
 to me evidently to have lucre and not generofity in view, 
 and more artfully to gain their end, than thofe who make 
 profeiTion of traffick : but I judged this difcourfe the nobleft 
 and moil ufeful gift in my power, worthy of my profeffion 
 to offer, and you to receive, if I be but fo happy as to de- 
 iine by the ftudy of what adtions, or avoiding of others, 
 you may the moft wifely govern your city and kingdom. 
 Private perfons have many opportunities of inilruaion ; 
 and a particular help towards it is, that they do not live 
 luxurioufly, but are obliged to daily induftry for the fup^ 
 port of their families. They have likewife the reftraint of 
 the laws, by which they are governed : and ftill a more An- 
 gular advantage is, that all have the liberty of fpeaking freely 
 to them, and their friends may both correal them boldly, 
 
 C and 
 
i8 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 and their enemies reproach them (harply, for their vices. 
 Add further, that feveral of the antientefl: poets have left 
 accurate rules for the condu6^ of their lives : fo that, by all 
 thcfe afTiftances, they may eafily become better*. But 
 kino-s enjoy no advantages, of this nature ; and though they, 
 of all men, ftand molt in need of true wifdom, becaufe 
 they are in fo high an elevation of power, yet they pafs 
 often-times their lives without ever meeting with proper in- 
 flrudors. The greateft part of mankind cannot approach 
 them ; and thofe who do, frequently fpeak with flattery. 
 And tho' kings are mafters of the greatefl riches, and are pof- 
 feft of the greateft power ; yet, by the m;fmanagement of 
 thefe high prerogatives, they have been the caufe that many 
 have doubted, whether the private life of fuch as live with 
 prudence and moderation, is not preferable to the fplendor 
 and elevation of kings f . When, indeed, the generality of 
 mankind confidcr only the honours, riches, and power of 
 monarchs, they are apt to think them demigods : but when 
 they make refle£lion again upon the fears and dangers which 
 attend regality, and looking back into hiftory, find feveral 
 monarchs to have been flain by thofe who leaft fhould have 
 done fo, others driven to commit ipjuftices againft their 
 moft intimate friends, and fome of them fubjedled to both 
 tliefe calamities, men are perfuaded, that any humble con- 
 dition is rather eligibly, than to be^upon thefe terms, the fole 
 
 * This is too frequently verified ; for where are to be found 
 thofe heroic, courageous perfons, who are the proper inftrudors 
 of kings, who are adequate to their charge, and have that equi- 
 ty- of mind as to fcorn flattery, or the infufing into the breafts 
 of potentates ungenerous, felf-interefted, or tyrannous fenti- 
 ments ? ." man who makes, by his inftrudion, a king virtuous, 
 may be faid to tinfture a public fpring with the power of health, 
 wifdom, and every beneficial quality. 
 
 f Here is a beautiful contrail between the fecurity of a private 
 life and the danger of royalty : that tho' power and riches at- 
 tend the latter, yet that happinefs, fecurity, and peace, are the 
 furer portion of competency and retirement from all public 
 
 monarch 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 19 
 
 monarch of all Afia. The caufc of this inconfiflency and 
 contradiction in fentiments, is, that many are apt to look 
 upon a crown as the indolent pofTeilion of prieilhood ; tho' 
 the duty of the firfl is the higheft ofEce of nature, and re- 
 quires the greateft wifdom and forefight. It is the duty, in-, 
 deed, of thofe who are always with you, to give you, in th.Q 
 detail of adlions, proper counfels how you may maintain your 
 ftate, preferve your fplendor and riches, and avoid damage 
 and misfortune ; but it is my part to give you general ad- 
 vice, to point out what you ought conftantly to have in 
 view, and how to dire£b the tenor of your whole life. Whe^ 
 ther my performance will anfwer my defign, it is hard to 
 judge in the beginning : for many poems, as well as profe- 
 writings, while they were in the minds of the compofers, 
 have caufed in all a great expedlation ; but, when finifhed, 
 and expofed to others criticifms, procured the authors much 
 lefs glory than they expe£led ♦. But yet the intention is 
 certainly highly laudable, to cultivate that part of philofo- 
 phy, which has been omitted by others, and lay down cer- 
 tain rules and principles for kings and governors. They 
 who inftru(3 private perfons, I en fit only th m ; but who^ 
 ever infpires with the love of virtue thofe who have fupreme 
 power, greatly advantage both monarchs and their fubje£ls ; 
 for fuch philofophers render kingdoms fafer tothe pofTeflbrs, 
 and their refpe£tive governments milder and more clement 
 towards particulars f . 
 
 We muft firft confider what is the duty of a generous- 
 minded king : for, if we once comprehend well the nature 
 and full extent of the complex ideas of any thing, having 
 our eye upon that criterion, we fhall the better judge and 
 
 * It is certainly true, that philofophy, and the principles of a 
 generous refined morality, is th^ moft worthy ftudy of the hu- 
 man kind. 
 
 f Thisisajuft obfervation; for, by the negleflof this care, 
 we fee feveral perfons continue, during life, in a difgraceful ig- 
 lior^iice of their refpe^ive obligations. 
 
 Cz 
 
 reafon 
 
V 
 
 20 • The ORATIONS 
 
 reafon of the eflential part>. I think all agree, that it ht^. 
 comes a great and good ruler %o put an end to a city*s mife- 
 ries, to guard it in its profperity, and make it happy and 
 flour iihing, if low and infirm. Whatever is occalionally 
 done, ought ever to be directed to this noble end. It is evi- 
 dent, that thofe vj\vo are in this fublime powder, and have fuch 
 an important charge, fhould not be indolent, but animated 
 with a noble ambition of becoming wifer and more diligent 
 than others. Without this ardor, they degrade themfelves : for- 
 this truth is manifeft by experience, that they will have juft 
 fuch a conducted kingdom, as they manage the ©economy 
 of their own palace and minds. Wherefore no combatants 
 ou2;ht to exercife with fuch care their bodies, as kings fhould 
 endeavour to improve their minds. Not the greateft public 
 afTemblies propofe any fuch glorious rewards, as thofe which 
 great kings contend for every day : and certainly then, you 
 who are fenfible of this truth, ought to do your utmoft as 
 far to excel others in virtues, as you do in honours and 
 riches : nor ever imagine, that tho' diligence and care are 
 of the higheft confequence in other refpedls, yet that they 
 are ufelefs towards rendering us better and wifer. Defpond 
 not fo of human nature, as to judge, that man, who has 
 found out the method and art of taming, and rendering more 
 profitable other creatures, can no-ways benefit himfelf to- 
 wards the acquifition of wifdom and virtue. No, on the 
 contrary, be perfuaded, that learning and vigilance can im- 
 prove and elevate our minds to the higheft perfedlion they 
 are capable of by nature. Seek always the company of the 
 moft prudent, and invite them even from diftant places ; nor 
 fuffer yourfelf to'be ignorant of either the writings of the 
 moft excellent poets, or of any who have made profeftion of 
 knowledge. Be acquainted thoroughly with the writings of 
 the former, and a profelTed difciple of the wifeft of the latter, 
 111 fine, be a critic of the inferior dafs, and nobly emulate 
 the higheft ; for, by thefe arduous exercifes, you will fooneft 
 become the perfon we, fuppofe y fuch an one, I fay, as is 
 
 niQil 
 
 \ . 
 
 \ 
 
 4 
 
 oF i S O C R A T E S. 21 
 
 Vnoft capable of reigning glorioufly, and making happpy a 
 'city, or a nation *. Such a one muft have a foul, which 
 glows with true g'ory. You will be ftimulated to attain 
 this glorious mark, if you think it a fhame that bad men 
 fhould govern better, or the imprudent direct the wifer : 
 ■and the higher contempt you have of the ignorance and ex- 
 travagancy of others, fo much the more you will be ex- 
 cited to enlarge your own anderftanding. Such muft be 
 the principles of thofe who aim at decorum and honour. 
 
 Befides", you m.uft be a lover of mankind, your city, and 
 country ; for it is impoffiblc that any one fhould take care 
 evenof horfes or dogs, and rnuch lefs ofilien and public af- 
 fairs, as they ought, if they take not a real pleafure in 
 them. Let the people be the objecSt of your love, and have 
 a mild government over them ; perfuading yourfelf, from 
 experience and hiftory^ that thofe ariftocracies, as well as 
 commonwealths, have continued the longeft, which con- 
 futed moft the intereft and humour of the people. You 
 will hold the ireins of government in the prudenteft manner, 
 if you neither fufFer the multitude to commit injuftice, or 
 be injured themfelves : but have always in view the pro- 
 imoting the moft worthy to honours, and fecuring the reft 
 from opprefiion; for thefe principles are the foundations of 
 ■a wife government. Change thofe edi<Sls and inftitutes, 
 which are not founded in equity ; endeavour to be the in- 
 ventor of the beft and moft political: if you cannot do this, 
 imitate the beft examples of other cities. Eftablifh fuch 
 laws as are entirely juft, ufeful, and confiftent with them- 
 felves, that admit of the leaft chicaner)'^ and facilitate the 
 determination of all difputes among the citizens 3 for good 
 
 * It was a noble axiom of an antient philofopher, that the 
 greateft happinefs of mankind confifted in perceiving the tran- 
 Icendent beauty of virtue, and loving it always fuperemi- 
 nently. 
 
 3« 
 
 lawj 
 
22 The ORATIONS 
 
 laws fhould have all thefe qualities. Make bufmefs and 
 trade profitable to them, and all law-fuits and injuftice pre- 
 judicial ; that they may avoid the one, and love and culti- 
 vate the other f. Never give fentences in judgment out of 
 favour to any man, nor ever contradictory to one another: 
 alw^ays judge irt the fame manner of the fame things : you 
 will do this befl, by loving honour and probity. It be-* 
 comes kings to have an unalterable judgment about vi'hat is 
 juft and equitable, like the determinations and maxims of 
 the wifefl laws. Adminifter your high office in the king- 
 dom, as you would govern your own houfe ; that is, orna- 
 ment it fpiendiJly, and like a great king, and govern it with 
 equity and exachiefs, in refi>ecl ot all atSlions, that you 
 may gain glory, and fupport it. Never (hew your gran- 
 deur and magnificence in expences, the effects ot which 
 foon vanifn, but in what I have mentioned before, in the 
 beauty and value of your polielLons, and your generous ac- 
 tions towards your friends j for the ctfccls of fuch expences 
 will be fure pollcinons, and of more worth to your pofte- 
 rity than their hrlt intrinfic value. In religious ceremo- 
 nies, follow the iniHtutcs of your anccdorsj but believe it 
 to be the truell and moil glorious facrifice, as well as divin- 
 <rit worlhip, if you make yourfelf as good and wife as pof- 
 fible ; for there is more likelihood, that men of exalted vir- 
 tues, rather than fuch as honour the gods with facrifice, will 
 have fuccefs, by their afLfiance, in great enterprifes. Diflin- 
 guifii) our uearcll relations with tlie mnft pompous honours j 
 but )Our bell: hier.db, with thofe that are the moft real and 
 poweriul. l^hink your fureft guard to be the courage of 
 your friends, the love of your citizens, and your own con- 
 duct; for, by thtfe means, kingdoms are fooneft acquired, 
 and iongeil prefcrved. Examine the oeconomy of private 
 
 + This is truly proper advice to a king. If he has a great 
 foul, he mud delight to fee his nation flourifh by commerce and 
 public happincis ; and will endeavour to extinguifh law-fuits, 
 and promoce an univerfal good undciilanding and tranquillity 
 throughout hi^ kingdom. 
 
 fami- 
 
 /• 
 
 Wp 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 23 
 
 femllies, and think all their profufion is ruinous of your own 
 treafures; and that induflry and frugality in the fubjed aug- 
 ments the riches of the king : for all the pofFeflions in a 
 kingdom are the property of generous, brave, and wife 
 kings, in times of neceflity. Always have fuch a {lri£l: re- 
 gard for truth) that your words at all times may have more 
 authority than the moft folemn oaths of others. Let your 
 city be a religious afylum for all ftrangers^ and obferve with 
 the moft fcrupulous equity all commercial contra£ls. Think 
 more favourably of fuch as, with proofs of gratitude, receive 
 your gifts, than of fuch as come to offer you prefents ; for, 
 by honouring more the firft, you will fpread your fame 
 wider in foreign nations. Free your citizens from fear, and 
 do not defire to be dreadful to the innocent ; for you will 
 have others affected towards you, as you behave to them. 
 Never do any thing in real anger, tho* you may feem, out 
 of prudence, to be inflamed with it. Command refpe6l and 
 awe, by being ignorant of no adlions ; but gain love, by 
 appointing puniftiments that are lefs than the crimes. Do 
 not endeavour to fpread terror by feverity j but draw love, b / 
 fhewing, that others are your inferiors in courage and under- 
 ftanding, and by convincing them, that you more prudently 
 confult for their profperity than they themfelves do. Be 
 ready for war by art and preparation ; but difpofed for peace, 
 by defiring nothing contrary to juftice and reafon. Behave 
 fo towards weaker cities, as you would wiih a ftronger 
 government fhould behave towards your's. Love not con- 
 tention about trifles, but (hew courage when vidlory will be 
 attended with advantage and glory. 7 hink them not de- 
 ferving diftionour, who have been conquered in a noble 
 caufe, but thofe who conquer with injuftice. Never ima- 
 gine thofe magnanimous, who attempt things above their 
 power, but thofe who undertake moderate enterprizes, and 
 fuch as they can bring to a happy conclufion. Emulate not 
 thofe who have the greateft kingdoms, but who govern befl: 
 their own ftates. Believe me, you will not be the happier, 
 
 C 4 though 
 
24 The ORATIONS 
 
 though you (hould be able to fubjecl all mankind by fear and 
 terror, but by being fuch as you ought, and adling. as at 
 prefent , for you only defire now what is moderate, and aref 
 indigent of nothing. Chufe not promifcuoufly your friends, 
 but fuch as are worthy of your noble nature, nor thofe whofe 
 converfation will give you the grcateft pleafure; but thofe 
 whofc counfels will bell affift you in the good government of 
 the city. Make a {{rici inquiry into the lives of fuch as you 
 admit to your familiarity, and pcrfuade yourfelf, that all 
 will judGre of vour manners bv vour converfation. Charo;e 
 fuch with the management of thofe affairs which you can- 
 not adminifter yourfeU, whofe conduct will not be adifcre- 
 dit to you ; for be aifured, you will be made refponfible for 
 their behaviour. Never blindly believe, that fuch as praife 
 whatever you fay or do, are your real friends ; but think 
 thofe fo, who freely blame your errors. Give liberty of 
 fpecch to the wife and prudent, that you may have them 
 juft approvers of vour actions. Diilinguifh thofe who art- 
 fully flatter, from fuch as affent to you with benevolence,- 
 that the bad may not have advantage over the good. Liften 
 to what is faid of one another by different perfons, and en- 
 deavour to know the characters of thofe who fpeak, and 
 thofe they fpeak of. Punifh with equal punifhment calum- 
 niators, as you would traiiferelTors. Govern vourfelf, a* 
 well as others ; and think it the mofl royal privilege to be 
 a flave to no pleafures, but to command your affedtions as 
 eafily and regularly as your citizens. Receive none rafhly 
 into familiarity, nor without juft reafons -y but accuflom 
 yourfelf to take pleafure in fuch converfations only as may 
 benefit your mind, and make you appear the better to 
 others. Seem not ambitious of glory from fuch actions as 
 bad men are capable of; but ground your magnanimitv on 
 virtue, of which vicious perfons are totally incapable. 
 Think thofe honours the trueit, which are not paid out of 
 fear in public, but by men, who, when they are in private, 
 extol your mind and character more than your fortune.- 
 
 Con- 
 
 
 h 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 2^ 
 
 Conceal it, if you chance to take pleafure in any difhonefl 
 aftion ; and never openly appear to neglect virtue. Do not 
 imagine private perfons fhould live virtuoufly, and princes 
 have the liberty of indulging vice. The greatelt virtue is ^3 1 
 fupreme glory ; wherefore judge it the beft proof of your 
 wife government, if you fee your fubjedts become richer 
 and wifer by your vigilance and example. Chufe rather 
 to leave the inheritance of a lading glory, than accumu- 
 lated riches, to your children ; for the latter is uncertain, 
 but the firft immortal. And riches may be acquired by 
 glory ; but glory cannot be the purchafe of riches : the lat- 
 ter may be the portion of bad men ; but none except he- 
 roic fouls can acquire the latter. Be (plendid in your drefs 
 and ornaments of the body ; but be manly irt all other re-* 
 fpedts of your life, that thofe who fee you may judge you, 
 by outward appearance, worthy of empire ; and thofe wha 
 privately converfe with you, think the fame thing upon ac- 
 count of your magnanimity and fortitude. Examine al- 
 ways carefully your words and adtions, that you may fall 
 into as few errors as poffible. It is one of the greateft diffi- 
 culties to feize the critical point of opportunity; but when 
 the uncertainty is great, be cautious, rather than by bold- 
 nefs overfhoot the mark , for mediocrity rather confifts in 
 fome defe6t than in excefs. Endeavour to be affable and fe- 
 rious ; for the latter fuits royalty, and the firft, familiar con- 
 verfation. The union of thefe two qualities is a difficulty 
 above all others ; for if you obferve, you will find, that 
 thofe who are ferious, often feemcold or proud j but thofe, 
 who afFe6t affability, too low and humble. You muft join 
 thefe two chara6ters ; and avoid the inconvenience which 
 fometimes arifes from both. Whatever vou would know 
 with accuracy, which becomes the ftudy of kings, endeavour 
 to attain your defign by experience and philofophy : philo- • 
 fophy will {hew you the theory, and experience render you 
 ready in public affairs. Contemplate often what happens 
 to private perfons and kings ; for if you remember what has 
 
 paffed. 
 
26 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 paiTed, you will judge the better about futurity. Think it 
 a fhame to monarchy, that many private perfons have will- 
 ingly died to acquire praife j and that kings fhould not have 
 refolution enough to live by fuch philofophic rules as would 
 render them illuftrious in their life-time, and admired by po- 
 fterity. Chufe rather to leave monuments of your virtues, 
 than of your body. Have all poffible care of the fecurity 
 of yourfelf and city. If you are obliged to expofe yourfelf 
 to danger, chufe rather to die with honour than live in 
 difgrace. In all your adions, remember you are a king, 
 and take care you do nothing unworthy of fo exalted a Na- 
 tion. Suffer not your perlbn at once to undergo a total 
 diflblution ; but fmce you have a mortal body, and an ini- 
 mortal mind, endeavour to leave an eternal remembrance 
 of the latten Difcourfe frequently of philofophic maxims^ 
 that you may accuftom yourfelf to the like fentimcnts. 
 Whatever feems beft to your moft diligent confideration, be 
 fure to put it in pradlice. Imitate the adions of thofe men, 
 whofe glory you emulate. Follow yourfelf fuch counfels 
 as you would give your own children. Benefit by what is 
 faid, or feek what is better. Think not thofe philofophers, 
 who difpute lubtily about minute things ; but fuch as fpeak 
 eloquently and affedionately of the fublimeft fubjects : not 
 fuch as promife to make others happy, while they them- 
 felves want all the conveniencies of life -, but thofe M'ho 
 fpeak moderately of themfelves, yet underftand bufinefs 
 and mankind, nor are ever at a lofs, and puzzled at the 
 changes of life ; but know how to bear reafonably, and with 
 moderation, both lofTes and profperity. 
 
 And wonder not, if you already perfe£lly know many 
 of thefe truths ; for I am not ignorant of it. I know, 
 that the number is great, both of private perfons and 
 princes, fome of whom have fpoken a part of thefe things, 
 fome have pradifed them, others have feen them prac- 
 tifed, and others have taught them : but, in the pre- 
 cepts of life, we are not fo much to feek after novelty ; 
 
 for. 
 
 li / 
 
 ''4 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S, 27 
 
 for, in thefe, there ought to be nothing incredible, no- 
 thing contraiy to the inward clear fentiments of mankind, 
 and I judge that he is the beft writer in this kind, who 
 colledls thofe approved maxims which are fcattered here 
 and there in others minds, and exprefs them in the politeft 
 manner : for it is evident, that the moft moral poems, and 
 other writings, are judged by all the moft ufeful ; but yet 
 are not read with the greateft pleafure; on the contrary, 
 men are afFeded towards them as they are towards ad moni- 
 tors. Though it is cuftomary to hear fuch men praifed, yet 
 their company is feldom fought after ; and many chufe ra- 
 ther to converfe with thofe who are guilty of grofs faults, 
 than fuch as will give them good advice. A proof of this 
 may be drawn from the writings of Heficd, Theogni, and 
 Phocilides: for all allow, that thefe authors are the beft 
 counfellors for the diredion of life ; but tho' they grant this, 
 yet they chufe rather to be converfant with others follies 
 than their wife precepts. And fhould any one chufe out 
 the feled fentences of the moft excellent poets, in the 
 invention of which they exerted their whole genius, fome 
 men would be as little affected by them ; for they would 
 fooner hear the worft and moft immodeft comedy, than fuch 
 admirable pieces of poetry. But why fhould I longer dwell 
 on particulars ? for, if we confider the nature of mankind, 
 we fhall find the greateft part neither pleafed with the 
 wholefomeft meats, the beft of inftrucSlions, nor the moft 
 virtuous adlions ; but, feeking pleafures deftruftive of true 
 happinefs, fee them rather endeavour to appear lovers of 
 induftry and temperance, than pradlice real philofophy. 
 Wherefore, how is it pofllble, by exhortation, fcience, or 
 ufeful knowledge, to pleafe fuch, who, for the above-men- 
 tioned reafons, envy the eloquent and wife, and think the 
 moft ftupid and thoughtlefs worthy of efteem for their fim- 
 plicity ? Thus they fly from truth in their ad^ions, and are 
 ignorant of the nature of their own condu6l; and grieve 
 when they turn their minds inward upon themfelves j but 
 
 take 
 
28 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 take a pleafure in difcourfmg of others actions. Nay, they 
 would rather fufFer inconveniencies in their bodies, than 
 exert their minds, and provide by induftry againft the ne- 
 ceflities of life. They frequently likewife abufe others'^ 
 and are abufed by them ; and, when alone, employ no 
 themfelves in fome ufeful bufinefs, but pafs their time in in!e 
 wifhes. I fpeak not this of all, but luch us arc guilty of tlie 
 above-mentioned negligences and errors. It therefore is clear 
 to me> that whoever would doy or write, what will pleafe 
 the multitude, mult not chufe the mo/1 ufeful precepts, but 
 amufe them with the moft pleafmg fables ', for they take a 
 pleafure in reading fuch empty fictions: but when they (ee 
 the efforts of courage and virtue, they feel a pain in their 
 minds. Wherefore Homer, and thofe who firft invented 
 tratyedv* deferve juft admiration; becaufe, confiderijig hu- 
 man nature, they intermixed both thefe characters of writ^ 
 ino-s in their poetry : for the firft invented the battles and 
 v/ars of the demigods, and the latter reprefented to the ey-e 
 pailions, patience, and heroic anions; fo that we become 
 not only hearers but fpedtators. By thefe examples, there- 
 fore, it is demonftrable, that thofe who would charm the 
 minds of the hearers, muft ablbin from admonition and 
 counfel 5 on the contrary, they muft write fuch things as 
 pleafe the crowd. I have mentioned fo muchj becaufe I 
 thought that you, who are the king of a numerous people, 
 (hould not be like one of the vulgar, nor have a mind upon 
 a level with the multitude, nor judge of the merit of ac- 
 tion?, or men, as they are merely eftedive of pleafure j but 
 make profit and ^ood the ftandard of both : efpecially con- 
 fidering, that the philofophers themfelves difl^er widely in 
 their notions of the proper exercife of the mind, while fome 
 of them fay, they (hould confift in controverfial logical dif- 
 putes ; but others affirm, that we ihall attain the moft per- 
 fect wifdom, by frequenting the company of thofe who are 
 more prudent and better than ourfeives. However, this 
 they all agree in, that a perfon who is thoroughly well edu- 
 cated. 
 
 v< 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 29 
 
 cated, (hould be capable, by both thefe means, to give the 
 folideft counfels. But, relinqui(hingcontroverfy, we (hould 
 take for proved what is confeiTed on both fides, and, in 
 emergencies, always confult men of the beft underftand- 
 ing9, and never regard thofe who fpeak in general terms of 
 afi'airs, and are unable to diftingui(h the decorum and pro- 
 priety of adtions : for it is certain, that he who cannot be- 
 nefit himfelf by his knowledge, will never be able to benefit 
 others, or render them prudent. But do you particularly 
 efteem thofe who have a ftrong mafculine reafon, and can 
 fee more into aft'airs than others ; perfuading yourfelf, that 
 a prudent, virtuous, magnanimous counfellor is the moft 
 ufeful and nobleft treafure of a great king. Finally, be- 
 lieve that thofe will extend your kingdom the fartheft, who 
 render your mind the wifer and more fagacious. I have gi- 
 ven you the beft advice in my power, and have made you 
 the moft worthy prefent I was able. Let me add one hint 
 here, of what I mentioned in the beginning, that you (hould 
 not be defirous of thofe cuftomary prefents, which you pur- 
 chafe dearer from the givers than from the fellers, but of 
 fuch, as though you frequently ufe them, nay, never omit 
 a day to do fo, you will render no worfe, or ever wear out, 
 but, on the contrary, make them of more w^orth, and va-» 
 Juable to yourfelf, 
 
 THE 
 
 ./ 
 
 /^ 
 
C5s^^as^-^5gs5C)^Q»^2ei»0^esJ0^es^ 
 
 THE THIRD 
 
 O R A T I O 
 
 f^K. 1 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES, 
 
 I N T H E 
 
 Person of Nicocles: 
 
 SHEWING 
 
 The DUTY of a SUBJECT, 
 
 AND PROVJNG 
 
 Monarchy the bellForm of Goveiinment, 
 
 Q^'^Qi^(>l^^^9Q^(^Q^^^ 
 
'/ 
 
 t33] 
 
 The S U B J E C T, 
 
 ^HIS Oration is delivered in the perfon of 
 NicocLES, who /peaks as a be7ievolent fa^ 
 ther to his JubjeBs. Nothing can be imagined 
 more humane than his fentiments : he requires no 
 things of themy but as fuppofed wife men^ and 
 friends to his government ^ upon the principles of 
 gratitude. Let Nicocles have been what he 
 wouldy this Oration Jhews Isocrates's fentimenf 
 of a good and truly gracious king 5 infne^ a ber^ 
 full of philanthropy. 
 
 ft 
 
 A 
 
 m: 
 
 THE THIRD 
 
 Oration oFIsocrates^ 
 
 I N T H E 
 
 Person of Nicocles: 
 
 SHEWING 
 
 The Duty of a Subject, and proving Mo-* 
 NARCHY the beft Form of Government, 
 
 THERE are fome who have an averfion to public 
 orations, and blame thofe who apply their minds 
 to the noble fludy of philofophy ; and fay, that 
 J)hilofophers compofe their difcourfes for the fake of lucre, 
 the favour of princes, and their own felf-advantage. I 
 would willingly have a reafon given me by thcfe men, why 
 Ihey fhun the eloquent and learned, yet praife thofe who 
 do glorious adions. If rewards offend them, far greater 
 are the confequenccs of adlions than words : befides, it is 
 abfurd to think, that we are either religious or juft, or 
 praclife any other virtues, out of a view of being m a worfe 
 condition than others ; but that we may render our lives as 
 happy as pofTible : wherefore we are not to cenfure thofe 
 actions, whereby we may virtuouily better our condition 
 but fuch men only, who tranfgrefs againfl juflice and rea- 
 fon in their anions, ajid deceive by their artful fpeaking 
 iiid oratory. And I wonder why the men I blame condemn 
 
 D not 
 
34 The ORATIONS 
 
 Hot the poffefTion of riches, flrength, and fortitude ; for if, 
 upon account of fome hypocrites and deceivers, they have> 
 I fay, an averfion to eloquence, I fee no reafon why they 
 .are not difgufted with other things, which are allowed by 
 all to be real goods, fince there certainly are fome, who are 
 pofleflcd of thefe, who are guilty of fraud and opprcflion. 
 But it is not reafonable to blame flrength, though ibme 
 abufe it, and beat and wound thofe the)' meet with : nor, 
 on account of murderers, to defpife fortitude and bravery ; 
 nor indeed, univerfally fpeaking, attribute the vices of 
 mankind to any other fource than the depravity of their 
 own wills. We (hould only condemn fuch, who pervert 
 the croods of nature, and with thofe advantages by which 
 they might benefit, do prejudice to their fellow-citizens: 
 but many negledl to judge in this manner definitively of 
 diftincl things, and are averfe indifcriminately to all reafon- 
 ings, are even fo blinded, that they do not perceive they 
 are unjuft to an excellency, which is the caufe of all the 
 greateft advantages of mankind, |In other refpedls, we do 
 not excel even the beads, nay, are far furpafTed by them in 
 fwiftnefs, ftrength, and many other faculties : but mutual 
 language being naturally peculiar to us, and the power of 
 declarino- our thoughts about whatever we pleafe, we have, 
 by perfuafion, not only left off a favage life, but afTembling 
 together, have built cities, made lav/s, found out arts, and 
 have attained, by reafon and eloquence, almoft all the ad- 
 vantages we enjoy by the benefit of fociety and invention. 
 It was true eloquence and perfuafion, that firft laid do^"^-'. 
 the rules whereby we may judge what is juft or unjuft, ho- 
 nourable or infamous ; without the knowledge of which, 
 we could never live in community together. It is by the 
 art of fpeaking that we convi6^ the bad, and praife the good. 
 By this we inftruct the ignorant, and approve the wife and 
 prudent; for, to fpeak as one fliould upon momentous oc- 
 cafions. Is the greateft proof, in my opinion, of a good 
 undcrftanding : and certainly converfation full of truth, 
 Jtafon, and juftice, is the beft pidure of a virtuous and fin- 
 
 ccrc 
 
 J»3 
 
 r--.' 
 
 ;j: 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 
 
 Cefe mind. In fine, by the art of fpeaking, we maintain 
 
 our caufe againft our adverfarles, and we inquire into ob-* 
 
 fcure truths ; for, by the fame arguments whereby we per- 
 
 fijade otherS) we fatisfy our own minds when wc would 
 
 take a wife refi)Iution. We call rhetoricians thofe that are 
 
 capable of fpeaking to, and perfuading a multitude ; but 
 
 thofe, prudent pei for.s, who reafon bell" in their own minds 
 
 about their own affairs ; and, if I muft give my judgment 
 
 at once concernino; this art, there is nothino; which is acled 
 
 prudently, both in rcfpetSl of words and actions, but artful 
 
 reafoning is the fureil: guide, and they that have it in the 
 
 higheft degree, have the moft enlarged minds : wherefore 
 
 v/e ought equally to deteft thofe who fpeak contemptuoufiy 
 
 of wife teachers and true philofophcrs, as we do of thofe, 
 
 who violate the temples of the gods^ I, for my part, have 
 
 a value for all difcourfes and v/ritlngs, v/hich are in any 
 
 the leaft degree capable of doing good ; but I think the 
 
 nobleft oration, the fubiimeft, and moft worthy of a king, 
 
 muft be that, which lays down the beft and wifeft rules of 
 
 government ; and they are the complcateft phijofophers, 
 
 who teach both how princes Ihould behave towards their 
 
 fubjeds, and how their fubjeds ftiould behave towards them; 
 
 for, by a mutual well-regulated conducSI:, I fee cities become 
 
 greater and more flourifhing than others. 
 
 Therefore you have heard the firft oration, which 
 was written by Ifocrates, upon the true art of monarchical 
 government; but I fhall fpeak myfelf another, which teacher 
 the duties of an obedient fubjed ; not tliat I flatter myfelf 
 with furpafling him, but becaufe I judge it moft becoming 
 myfelf to declare my mind to you on this fubject : for, 
 fnould I not let you know what I require of you, and you 
 acl againft my will, I could not juftiy be angry with you. 
 Now, I judge, that I fhall moft efieciually incline and ex- 
 cite you to the remembrance of what I (hall have faid, as 
 well as to obedience, not by enumerating fo many political 
 precepts, and then concluding; hut by firft demonftrating, 
 that you ought highly to efteem our prefent government. 
 
 Da and 
 
 4 . -f 
 
 J 
 
 ■J-. 
 
36 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 and love it) not out of a fervile necelTity, or becaufe this 
 
 has been our conftitution time out of mind, but becaufe it 
 
 certainly excels all other conftitutions ; and then proceed- 
 
 ing to fhew you, that I do not poflefs a crown unjuftly^ 
 
 nor the property of another, but by legal faniSlion, juftlyi 
 
 and by defcent from my ahccftors, to my father and ray- 
 
 felf ; for, if thefe aflertions are previoufly demonftrated, 
 
 there can be no one amongft you will not think himfelf 
 
 worthy of the fevered penalty, if he be not obedient to my 
 
 counfels and edicts. 
 
 In regard of political governments (for there I propofed 
 
 to begin) I think it granted by all, that it Would be the 
 greatefl error and injuflice pofTible, if the good and bad 
 were treated alike; and that it is certainly confonant to rea- 
 fon and equity, that the balance of juftice fhould be held 
 even betwixt them, and that there (hould be a fuitable dif- 
 ference made betwixt perfons of fuch different merit, and 
 that both fhould have rew\'irds worthy of their acSlions. 
 Now, ariflotracies and republics have generally in view a 
 kind of level among the citizens ; and it is their defign, 
 that none furpafs others in power or pofTeflions, which 
 oftentimes is favourable to the worft: but juft monarchies 
 confer their favours on tlie man of the greateft merit, and 
 fo downward in a juft proportion ; and if this happens not 
 to be obferved in all of them, yet the nature of the govern- 
 ment Is fuch. If we confider the tempers and judgments of 
 mankind, as well as their a(5lions, we fhall find, that they 
 naturally chufe monarchies rather than any other form of 
 .government: and indeed, who that is endued with good 
 fenfe, would not rather wi(h to live under that form of go- 
 \crnmcnt, in which, if he excels in virtue, he cannot be 
 hidden, than be confounded with a multitude, who can 
 never diflinguiih his merits ; nay, wc muft judge in reafon 
 a wife monarchy the more mild and equitable, in the fame 
 proportion as it is more eafy for a prudent perfon to pleafe 
 one clear-fighted fuperior, than humour the various incli- 
 liations aiid caprices of a whole people. Monarchy, there- 
 fore^ 
 
 I 
 
 ,-y 
 
 .'VAr 
 
 f -J" 
 ■i 
 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 37 
 
 fore, Is a milder, pleafanter, and more juft government than 
 any other. I could illuftrate my affirmation at large ; but 
 what I have faid may fuffice. As for what remains to fhew 
 how far monarchies excel other governments in political 
 counfels, and the execution of noble defigns, we may beft 
 examine into this, if placing the greateft adlions of both, 
 as it were, parallel to one another, we endeavour to weigh 
 them in a balance. Thefe who have annual authority, 
 become private perfons, before they can form a perfedi: 
 judgment of the city, and have fufficient experience : but 
 thofe who have perpetual power, tho' they have an inferior 
 genius, muft, from their long experience, have fuperior 
 abilities to other men, Befides, the former negled many 
 things, leaving them to others care ; but kings have an eya 
 to all, becaufe they know that they are the fpring-head of 
 all the public felicity. Add to this, that, in ariftocracies 
 and republics, perfons in public pofts often, out of envy 
 and ambition, make the public fufFer. But monarchs, 
 having no caufe of envying any in the ftate, as much as it 
 is pofTible, confult and put in praclice what is befh We 
 fhould reflect on this likewife, that annual magiftrates are 
 often impeded in the care of the public i for they are daily 
 taken up by their own domeftic affairs, and, when they 
 meet tooether, they more frequently are at variance than 
 ihey confult the public good : but kings, without any ap- 
 pointed afteniblics, or times, ftudying night and day the 
 advantages of the ftate, lofe no opportunities ^ but do every 
 thing in°the opportuneft feafon. Befides, annual govern- 
 ors are mutual enemies and rivals, and wifti fecretly, that 
 thofe both before and after them fliould admlnifter as im- 
 prudently as poftible the public aff'airs, that they may have 
 ihe greater praii'e and glory: on the contrary, kings being 
 always fupienic maftcrs, have the fame conftant well-regu- 
 lated b&nevolence towards the public; but the greateft ad- 
 vantage of all is this, that kings attend to the public intereft 
 as to their own property ; but annual magiftrates regard 
 ^-m 4s thiii^-s not belon2,ing to them. Thp latter likqwife 
 
 D 3 ^ 
 
 
38 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 are apt to chufe for their Tub-delegates the rafheft and moft 
 turbulent ; but the former the fedateft and moft prudent. 
 Republicans honour thofe, who, by delufive eloquence, 
 govern the mobile ; but monarchs, thofe who are the moft 
 capable of managing aftairs. Nor does a monarchy furpafs 
 other governments only in ordinary and daily affairs, but 
 has all imaginable advantages in war; for monarchies are 
 more able, than any other form of government, to raife 
 troops, to ufe them, to conceal or makeftiev/ of them; to 
 perfuade fome neighbours, to force others ; to buy off dan- 
 ger from fome, and win the affections of others by obliga- 
 tions of a different kind : and this is equally evident from 
 fads and words; for by this means we know, that the Per- 
 fian empire is grown to that vaft extent, net fo much upon 
 account of the fupcriority of genius in that nation, as be- 
 caufc they, above all men, honour the rcyal dignity. It 
 was this natural pov/cr of monarchy, which rendered Dio- 
 nyfius capable of not only rcftoring ruined Sicily, as well 
 as his own beficgcd country, to freedom from danger, but 
 of making it one of the mofl: flourifhing ftates of Greece. 
 The Carthaginians and Lacedaemonians, who have the 
 bcft governed cities, are fubjccl in peace to a kind of arifto- 
 cracy ; but, in time of war, always obey one fupreme ge- 
 neral. We may obfcrve likewifc, that the city of Athens, 
 which, above all others, has the greateft averfion for kings, 
 whenever it commiffioncd feveral generals, it was always 
 unfuccefsful 5 but, when it trufted the fafety of the ftate to 
 one, was always profpcrous in its undertakings. Now, 
 can it be demonftrated plainer than by thefe examples, that 
 monarchy is* the moft excellent form of government ; for 
 it is evident, that thofe cities, who have perpetual regents, 
 and the greateft power, as well as ariftocracies, or fuch 
 cities as are governed by common counfels, alv/ays in the 
 moft critical and interelling affairs, either chufe a general, 
 or commit the condudl of their armies to the k'ln^ : and* 
 let mc add again, that tliofe who have a .-natural hatred of 
 king.s, when tlu-y fend in joint comniiilion feveral captains. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 39 
 
 are fure almoft of mifcarriage in their defigns. But, were 
 it proper here to introduce antiquity, it is faid, that the 
 gods themfelves are governed by a monarchy ; and if this 
 is true, it is hence evident, that even they prefer this kind 
 of conftitution above all others. But if no one knows the 
 certainty in this cafe, and by conjedlure only mankind have 
 perfuaded themfelves of it, it is certain, that mankind, by 
 a fort of inftin(Sl, have the higheft value for a monarchy; 
 for they never would have faid, that the gods are governed 
 by this form, if they had not thought it the moft perfedt of 
 all others. To mention exadlly the different forms of go- 
 vernment in all cities, would be an endlefs undertaking j 
 hut I am of opinion, what I have faid will abundantly fiif- 
 fice for my purpofe. 
 
 I SHALL now make my difcourfe much ftiorter in regard 
 to my juft title to this precedency; for the proofs are more 
 evident, and confeffed by all : for who is fo ignorant, as 
 not to know, that Teucer, the head of my family, taking 
 w^ith him the anceftors of the other citizens, failed hither, 
 built this city, and divided amongft them the territory. 
 My father Evagoras, when others had loft the crown, re- 
 covered it agam by his virtues, after he had undergone the 
 greateft dangers, and fo changed the ftate for the better, 
 that the Phoenicians no longer commanded Salamis , but we 
 now again have the kingdom, whofe it was originally. 
 What now remains is, that I fpeak of myfelf, thac you 
 may underftand you have fuch a king, as not only upon 
 account of his anceftors, but even upon account of himfelf 
 deferves a greater honour and government than this he now 
 enjoys ; for, I believe, all will eafily allow, that the nobleft 
 virtues are temperance and juftice. They do not only of 
 themfelves benefit individuals, but, if we confider the pow- 
 ers, the ufe, and nature of things, we ftiall find, that, 
 when our adions are not regulated by them, they become 
 the caufes of the greateft calamities ; and, when joined with 
 moderation and juftice, are the fources of all the variety of 
 hunua happinefs : and if fome of former ages have been 
 
 D 4 rendered 
 
40 The ORATIONS 
 
 rendered glorious by thefe virtues, I fee no reafon why I 
 fhould not be judged worthy of the fame glory. You may 
 judge of my equity by this 5 for, when I came to fupreme 
 power, I found the pubHc treafure empty, and quite ex- 
 haufted ; the ftate full of trouble, and ftanding in need of 
 great care, ftridl watch, and much expence. Though I 
 know, that many, on the like occafions, endeavourincr to 
 eftablifh their own interefls by any means whatever, have 
 done many things contrary to honour and virtue, yet I was 
 not depraved by fuch examples; but I managed the public 
 affairs with fuch diligence and integrity, that I omitted no- 
 thing that might encreafe the glory, or add to the happi- 
 nefs, of our city ; for I conduced myfclf with fuch benevo- 
 lence and mildnefs towards the citizens, that thev no lono^er 
 either feared banifhmcnt, deaths the lofs of money, or any 
 the like calamity, under my reign. Though Greece was 
 inacceffible upon account of war, and we were injured and 
 plundered on all fides, yet 1 paid off moil of the public 
 debts ; to fome I paid all ; to others a part ; of others I 
 begged a delay of time ; with others I came to a compofi- 
 tion about public injuries upon as good terms as 1 could 
 bring them to allow. And though the inhabitants of the 
 ifland were our enemies, and the Pcrfian kino; was onlv in 
 words a friend, but in his intention a watchful adverfary, I 
 remedied both thefe calamities, complying with the Perfian 
 out of prudence ajid necefllty, and behaving myfelf to the 
 other inhabitants of the ifland with the liridtcll juflice; for 
 I am fo far from having a defire of ufurping the property of 
 others, that though many, if they exceed never fo little in 
 power, are apt to feize fomething of their neighbours, and 
 encreafe their own riches and territory, yet I religiouflv 
 retufed a country ofFertd to me ; and chofe rather to pof- 
 fefs my own with jullice, than, with fraud, to acquire a 
 much larger dominion. It would be fuperfluous to dwell 
 upon particulars ; fince I can fafely and publicly affirm this 
 of myfelf, that I never knowingly injured any man ; nav, 
 I have been generous to nianv of my citizens, and even 
 
 otl^r 
 
 «.' 
 
 Of I S O C R A T E S. 41 
 
 Other Graecians, and have given more kingly prefents than 
 all they who have gone before me. And it becomes thofe 
 who glory in juftice, and a mind fuperior to the temptations 
 of money, to be able, with truth, to fay the like of them- 
 felves. In regard of temperance, I can fay ftill more ; for 
 knowing well, that all men particularly love their own 
 wives and children, and are moft provoked againft fuch as 
 injure them, and that indignities done them have been the 
 fpring of the moft dreadful evils, and both private perfons 
 and governors have been ruined upon this account, I fo 
 cautioufly avoided fuch dangerous injuftices, that, fmce I 
 came to the throne, I never was acquainted intimately with 
 any woman, but my own wife ; though I was not igno- 
 rant, that many have gained benevolence and glory from 
 their citizens for general juftice, though they indulged them- 
 felves in the pleafures that arife from female converfation : 
 but defigning to fecure myfelf againft any fufpicions of this 
 nature, I made my own practice an example for my citi- 
 zens ; for it is beyond doubt, that the populace naturally 
 imitate the manners of their fuperiors. Befides, I thought 
 kings ftiould as far excel others in virtue, as they do in 
 power and honour ; and that it is folly and injuftice to re- 
 quire probity from others, and negle(5l equity and temper- 
 ance ourfelves. I obfervcd many to be mafters of other af- 
 fedions ; but that fome of the heft of men have failed in 
 regard of a blind love for beauty : I therefore defigned my 
 citizens ftiould fee I was capable of governing myfelf in this 
 refped, by which I ftiould not only excel the vulgar, but 
 even thofc who have gloried in popular virtues and magna- 
 nimity. I likewife condemned the injuftice of thofe, who 
 takincr wives, and enterins; into the moft abfolute commu- 
 nity of life and property, are not conftant in their ov/n 
 voluntary contrad ; but, by their ungovernable afTecSlion 
 for pleafure, grieve thofe whom they ought to love, and 
 render as happy as poffible; and, though they are juft 2nd 
 equitable in regard of all other fociety, in refpecl of their 
 conduct towards their wives, forget their own efteem of 
 
 equity 
 
42 The ORATIONS 
 
 equity and reafon, which they ought more carefully to 
 avoid, as their wives have a ftridler relation with them than 
 any others. They feem Ignorant of what is obvious to 
 common (enfe, that they fow the feeds of quarrels and dif- 
 fentions in their own palaces ; but it certainly becomes wife 
 kings, not only to keep their cities in peace and tranquil- 
 lity, but their own houfe, and the place which they inha- 
 bit. This is the effedl: only of temperance and juftice. 
 Nor have I had the fame fentiment in regard of children, 
 which the generality of kings have ; nor did I think it pro- 
 per to have fome by women of low birth, and others by a 
 woman of royal blood ; fome legitimate, and others natu- 
 ral ; but I chufed to have them equal by nature on the mo- 
 ther's as well as father's fide. In refpedt of mortality, to 
 be related to my father Evagoras; in refpe6t of demi-gods, 
 to the Aacida* j in refpe(St of the immortal gods, to Jupi- 
 ter himfelf ; I purpofed, that none of my children (hould 
 be deprived of fuch a noble birth. Though many reafons 
 perfaaded me to continue in my refolution, this motive was 
 not the leaft, that I faw even bad men diftinguifhed often 
 by courage and policy, as well as other qualities, which 
 gain efteem and admiration ; but that none, except the ex- 
 altedly good, were pofiefled of true juftice, temperance, and 
 magnanimity. Now, I judged it highly glorious to pradiifc 
 thefe virtues, which are of too noble a nature to lodge in a 
 vicious breafti but, on the contrary, are the pureft, the 
 moft fublime, and celcftial properties of human nature. 
 Upon this account, I ftudled with the greateft ardor, and 
 praclifed temperance and juftice, Thefe virtues I preferred 
 not only to fordid pleafures, but even thofe amufements 
 that have a kind of honour attending them. All virtues are 
 not to be judged of in the fame manner ; for juftice is tried 
 by poverty, and temperance by fuprcme power ; but fclf- 
 denial by the obfervance of all the duties of youth. Now, 
 I believe, I have given in my own perfon proofs, upon all 
 occafions, of all thefe virtues ; for having been left by my 
 father in great want of money, I behaved myfelf with that 
 
 equity, 
 
 ll 
 
 !■»■■.:>■■- 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 43 
 
 equity, that I neither opprefled nor offended any of the 
 citizens; for, though I fucceeded to abfolute power, I was 
 more temperate and abftemious in my pleafures than private 
 perfons ; and I pradlifed both temperance and juftice in an 
 age, when moft men are apt to fall into the oppofite vices. 
 I fhould, perhaps, be afhamed to fpeak this before ftrangers, 
 not on account that I fet light by glory, but becaufe I fhould 
 be apprehenfive of not gaining credit to my words i but you 
 are witnefles of the truth of all I fay. Now, it is but juft: 
 to praife and admire thofe, who love and pradllfe virtue, 
 and efpeclally fuch who perfe6l the advantages of nature by 
 art and reafoning ; for they who are virtuous by chance, 
 as it were, and not by principle, may, perhaps, change 
 themfelves : but fuch as, befides a happy diipofition, have 
 thoroughly perfuaded themfelves, that virtue is the greateft 
 good, are fure to continue all their lives in one and the 
 fame uniform pradlice of what is laudable. 
 
 I HAVE made my difcourfe longer on the two topics of 
 myfelf and what I faid in the begiijning, that I might leave 
 you no pretence of not willingly and zealoufly obeying my 
 orders and counfels ; and I hope now, that every one of 
 you, in his refpedtlve charge, will juftly and diligently ac- 
 quit himfelf of his duties; for, fliould you be negligent in 
 either refpeft, it is impoflible but that the public muft fuf- 
 fer by it : therefore fet not light by, nor defpife any thing 
 that I command you, judging, as you ought, that as the 
 health of the whole body confifts in the foundnefs and health 
 of the parts, fo you ftiould each of you, as parts of the ftate, 
 behave yourfelves in the beft and moft vigilant manner: 
 nor have a lefs zeal to fee my affairs flourifli than your own : 
 and think not deferved popular honours an obje<Sb unworthy 
 of efteem and emulation ; on the contrary, fet a juft value 
 on them, as the rewards of merit and induftry. Refrain 
 from injuftlcc to others, that you may poflefs your own in 
 quiet and tranquillity ; for you ought to behave in fuch a 
 manner towards others, as you expe^l: I ftiould towards you. 
 Aim not rather at being rich than good ; being perfuaded, 
 
 that 
 
44 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 that fuch among Barbarians, as well as the Greeks, who 
 acquired the trueft glory, have been pofTefTed of the nobleft 
 privileges and advantages. Believe the acquifition of money, 
 contrary to juftice, to be the fure feed of dangers ; nor ima- 
 gine to receive prefents, gain j or to part generoufly with 
 money, lofs ; for both depend upon particular circum- 
 flancesj but that either, as done in feafon, and with pru- 
 dence, will benefit the agents. Be ready to acquiefce in 
 all my mandates ; and be aflured, that thofe among you, 
 who befl promote my affairs, will enrich the mofl their 
 own houfes. Think whatever any of you is confcious of 
 to himfelf, I fnall not be long with coming to the knowledge 
 of it ; and though my body cannot be prefent in all places, 
 that yet my care and providence will : for, if you have 
 thefe fentiments, you will live with the greater decency and 
 moderation. Conceal nothing from me of your pofTef- 
 fions, of your adlions, or defigns ; and believe, that clan- 
 defline actions are the fource of continual fears and alarms. 
 Never think of mixing fraud and craft in the difcharge of 
 your offices ; but acl with that fimplicity of manners and 
 integrity, that, if any (hould have a mind, they may not 
 eafdy find againft you a pretence for calumny. Examine 
 your ailions, and do not doubt, that fuch are bad which 
 you would conceal from me ; but thofe good, by which, 
 when I come to the knowledge of them, I fhall judge you 
 worthy of rewards and honours. Conceal it not, if you 
 obferve fome pcrfons unfaithful in the difcharge of their du- 
 ties undsr my government ; but accufc them for it : for you 
 ought to think thofe \v\\o conceal fuch practices as faulty 
 as thofe who are guilty of them. Nor ever believe fuch 
 happy, wrho hide Infamous adions, but thofe. who are truly 
 innocent; fince the unjuft always dcl'crve themfclves to 
 fufFer what they make others fuf^cr by their vices and op- 
 preffion : whereas the good have a title to all the happinefs 
 they are the caufe of to others. Make no focieties or con- 
 federacies without my knowledge : for fuch aflbciations un- 
 der other forms of government have more liberty ; but, in 
 abfolute governments, they expofe men to danger. AMain 
 
 f' t 
 
 1*^ 
 
 not 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 4^- 
 
 not only frorri crimes, but the appearance of them, and 
 fuch a behaviour as will bring you into fufpicion. Think 
 my friendfhip your greateft glory and fecurity, Preferve 
 with all loyalty the prefent eftablifhment of government, 
 and defire no change j for be alTured, that, in fuch confu- 
 fions, there is a neceflity in nature, that cities muft perifli, 
 and private houfes be intirely ruined. Doubt not but that 
 it is not only a natural difpofition and innate mildnefs, '. 
 which renders kings good or cruel, but the manners and 
 conduct oftentimes of their fubjeds ; for many have been 
 obliged^ by the difobedience of their fubjeds, to govern 
 with a feverer hand than they would have done by their 
 own inclinations. Prefume not fo much on my mildnefs 
 as your own prudence and virtues* Think my fafety your 
 own fecurefl bulwark ; for, if my affairs are profperous 
 you will find yourfeives in the greatefl fecurity. You ought 
 to fliew humility In the willing obedience to my commands 
 and your adherence to your country's laws and inftitutes : 
 and you fhould fliew a zeal for my royal prerogative. Be 
 fplendid and magnificent in the difcharge of all thofe offices 
 I truft you with, as well as my particular orders* Exhort 
 the youth to emulate you in virtue^ not only by words, but 
 demonftrating to them by your adions, what it is to be 
 good, and have a title to true honour and glory* Teach 
 your children obedience to their king, and, by early in- 
 ftrudlion, accuflom them to qualify themfelves for my fa- 
 vour ; for, if they once learn to obey a juftruler, they will 
 be fitter one day to command others ; and having pradifed 
 fmcerity and juflice, ihey will be worthy of partaking of my 
 favours and power ; but if they become diflblute and rebel- 
 lious to government, they will run the rifk of lofing all. 
 Think, that by acquiring for them my benevolence, you 
 leave your children the fureft and greatefl inheritance; but 
 believe thofe the mofl miferable and wretched of all man- 
 kind, who are faithlefs to their patrons and fuperiors ; for 
 fuch muft be continually full of fear and fufpicion,' and 
 heitlier trufl to friends or enemies. Do not emulate thofe 
 
 who 
 
46 The ORATIONS 
 
 Who amafs the grcateft fums ; but thofe who have a clear^ 
 inofFenfive confcience : for, with fuch a mind, every one 
 muft pafs their lives the moft agreeably that is polTible. 
 Never think that vice can ever gain the advantage of virtue, 
 while it is juftly always liable to contempt; nay, as you 
 iind the unatiimous confent of mankind gives names, be* 
 lieve that fuch are, from their own experience, the nature 
 of things. Envy not my chofen and diftinguifhcd friends ; 
 but endeavour, by merit and induftry, to be equalled with 
 them. Bring yourfelves to love and efteem whom your 
 king diftinguilhes by his judgment and favour, that you 
 may obtain the fame honours from him. What you would 
 fay before me, think in my abfence. Shew your gratitude 
 to me in adlicns, rather than in words. What you would 
 be provoked at, did you fufFer it, never do to others. Ne- 
 ver do what you opeiily blame. Think your fortune will 
 be fuch as you wilh mine. Not only praife the good, but 
 imitate them. Efteem my words fo many laws : endeavour 
 to put them in pra«51:ice -, and be perfuaded, that thofe who 
 do this, fhall enjoy all the convcniencies of life. 
 
 The fum of all I have to fay is, fuch as you would have 
 thofe under you, endeavour diligently to make yourfelves 
 towards me ; and if you will do this, why fhould I draw 
 out my difcourfc in mentioning the certain confequences ? 
 for, if I behave niyfelf as I have hitherto, and the public 
 affairs be mana-ed with the fame prudence, you will foon 
 fee your own plenty encrcafed, and my kingdom inlargedj 
 and your city rendered compleatly happy. It is certainly 
 worthy of our belt endeavours to omit nothing, but to 
 embrace all labours and dangers for fo noble an end. In 
 your power it is, under my mild government, by juftice 
 and fidelity, to acquire all thefc great advantages. 
 
 '.■ ♦ 
 
 9:300 
 
 ^im: 
 
 THE ^F-#4-R-^~ 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES, 
 
 CALLED THE 
 
 PANEGYRIC, 
 
 As being addrefled to 
 
 The unlverfal Aflembly of all Greece, 
 
 EXHORTING 
 
 The Graecians to concord, and the undertaking 
 jointly a war againft the Perfians. 
 
 cs^:^es^^^ige^t.^:^Gs^^^e^ 
 
 r 
 
 / 
 
 THE 
 
 MiaBMBiawiiiMlMiti iiiMliiittii JllWBaiigrBiffiitriMffi"ii«iilriim Viiiii i'liiflii'iMir- iiiiii iriTttiMlitiffliHiirTiiinfliitill i 
 
{ 49 1 
 
 (1 f. 
 
 o? 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 ^T^HIS is that celebrated oration ^ which is 
 •^ ejleemed one of the bejl in Ifocrates. Some 
 ha^efaid^ that he employed ten^ and others ^fifteen 
 years in the compofition. He encourages the 
 Greeks to undertake a general expedition againfi 
 the PerJia?iSy and difputes with the Laccedemo-> 
 nians about the right of principality. He afir?ns^ 
 that all the general advantages of Greece origi-^ 
 ginally came from Athens^ andy upon that account^ 
 it had ajuji claim to precedency, BeJideSy that 
 the Athenians had excelled all the Grcecians in 
 the demonjlration they gave of their courage in 
 different dangerous wars. Lajlly^ turning to the 
 judges y he faySy refiedi candidly if I can be faid 
 to corrupt youths who exhort them to the mofl 
 heroic virtues^ fet before them the noble actions 
 of their ancejlors^ a?id endeavour to enflame them 
 with a love of their country. Infine^ this ora- 
 tion is laboured with the ut?noJt arty and exaSl^ 
 nefs of the rides of eloquence. 
 
 >■*» 
 
 ( 
 
 i 
 
 THE FOURTH 
 
 ^ 
 
 . ^t 
 
 
 Oration of IsocratesL'^^ 
 
 CALLED THE 
 
 PAN E G Y R I C, 
 
 As being Addressed to the . 
 
 JJnIverfal Assembly of all Greece : "* 
 
 EXHORTING THE 
 
 Grecians to Concord, and the undertaking^. 
 jointly a War againft the P e r s i a n s. \ 
 
 I Have often wondered, that t^ofe who have made po- 
 pular aflemblies, and appointed public games, fhould - 
 have fo greatly rewarded the excellency and good 
 hatit of the body, but paid no honours to fuch as, in'' 
 a private capacity, confulted the happinefs of the ftate, 
 and fo prepared their minds, that they became an univer- ' 
 fal benefit to their commonwealths : of whom, certainly, a^t 
 far greater account ought to have been made by republic^* 
 and kingdoms. For were combatants twice as ftrong in 
 body as they are, no advantage would redound by it t& 
 others ; but if one man perfecSh his mind by philofophy, '' 
 all that are willing may be benefited by his knowledge aii^' 
 prudence. Yet I was not difcouraged by this common mS^'^ 
 juftice and neglea; but, judging that fuWequent glory ^ 
 
 ^ would 
 
V / 
 
 '$& The O R A Til O N S 
 
 ivould be a fufficient reward of my labour, in compofing- 
 this oration, I have ventured to give my advice about en- 
 tering into a war with the Barbarians^ and making a firm* 
 alliance among ourfelves. Nor am I ignorant, that many; 
 who profelTcd wildom and learning, have handled this fub^ 
 jcdl before me ; but I hope fo far to excel them, as to make 
 ivhat they have faid appear little or nothing to the purpofe, 
 'And I judge thofet^i^urfcs to be the npbieftancj ii?oJ: 
 worthy of public attention, which have the moft intereft- 
 jng fubjeds, declare moft manifefljy . the ability of the 
 fpeaker, and bring the greateft advantage to the hearers ; of 
 which cham£leirT|p the- prefenr (jifcoojfe. Bcfidcs^I judga 
 likfewife, tnat tti^ favourable opportunities' of timt ^e nor 
 pafTed ; fo that it is needlefs to fpeak of them : for I think, 
 that orators {hoiild Ccafe fpeaking, when either aiFairs arc 
 come to their natural conclufion and end, and when coi^ 
 fel about them ^oiiM-be fruitlef^, or that others had 'rf)okCTi 
 fo efficacioufly, that they had left no poflibility of furpaf- 
 fmg their reafonings'and fcntiments. fiut while things con- 
 tinue in the-like fituation, and all pubUflied orations on t))ie 
 topic are very imperfe£^, why fhould I not attempt fuch an 
 harangue, as, if compleat^ - ortccv and finiihed, wflit.free 
 us from mutual unnatural war, put aji end to our prefent 
 troubles aiid diford^/s, a^ fecure u& againft the greateft 
 calamities ? Befides, was it impoflible to fpeak of publfc 
 affairs and interefts but in one finglq manner, and thei^^ welt 
 not different characters of eloquence, it might caufe juft 
 fufpicion, that it was fuperfluous, by imitating others, to 
 give new trouble to the hearers, /f But as eloquence haS' tjie 
 power to fpeak appoTitely and feveral times upon the fame 
 fubje£l, can make what is great and arduous appear little 
 'and eafy, can give magnificence^ in fome manner, to what 
 is low and common, can even impart an appearance of ikh 
 veltyy by happy modes of expreilion^ to thoughts and in* 
 vontion that are trite and old, and give the air of antiquity 
 to what is modern and new ; I judged I ought not to be 
 i^m^d from my enterprizeKl acknowledge my fubje^ is 
 
 not 
 
 Of I S O C R A T E S. 
 
 5« 
 
 
 1 
 
 "f 
 
 fj) 
 
 »* 
 
 not new ; but I wiH endeavour to furpafs, upon this topic, 
 all the orators who have gone before me. Paff a<Sbions are 
 tranfmittcd to pofterity as equally common themes for all ; 
 but, to ufe them properly as examples and patterns, to 
 think judicioufly of them, and clothe our ideas in elegant 
 exprcflion, this is the property only of the wife and elo- 
 quent. And I think, that all other arts and fciences, as 
 Well as philofophic eloquence, would receive the higheft 
 improvement, if not thofe who iirft have written or fpoken 
 dn a fubjedlj be praifed and admired ; but fuch only as have 
 finifhed, in the beft manner, their writings or orations : 
 not thofe, who endeavour to treat of what no one before 
 has ever fpoke of, but fuch as know how to exprefs them* 
 lelves with more grandeur and propriety than any others* 
 Some blame orations which are above the common ftandard 
 of the vulgar, and are laboured to a degree of abfolute per- 
 fecSlion. They are fo greatly miftaken, as to meafure them 
 by fuch as are fpoken on occafion of private contradls, and 
 points of law ; as if there was not a wide difference in 
 thefe two kinds of oratory ; ,one of which has in view cau- 
 tionary pleadings, and the,Qther, parade and oftentation ; 
 and as if it docs not always follow, that he who can fpeak 
 accurately, can alfo exprefs himfelf in the plain language 
 of men of bufinefs. It is very plain, that fuch men praife 
 only thofe whom they judge themfelves capable of imitat-* 
 ing. But I addrefs not my words to fuch who are eafily 
 contented) but to thofe who are difficult, and require, in 
 my orations, fomething which they cannot find in the dif- 
 courfes of others. Nor will I enter on the fubjed of my» 
 difcourfe, till I have fpoken concerning myMf, perhaps, in « 
 ftill higher ftrain of vanity. I have obferved fome, in the be- 
 ginning of their difcourfes, endeavouring to win the favour 
 of their hearers, and making apologies for their orations. 
 Some I have heard affirm, that their performances were ex*- 
 temporaneous ; others I have known to mention the diffi- 
 culty of equalling, with eloquence, the dignity of theif 
 ftibjea. But, on the contrary, if I do not worthily handle 
 
 E 2 jxiy 
 
t 
 
 52 The ORATIONS 
 
 my topic, and anfwer the hearers expectation, from my 
 own capacity, and the time not only that I have employed 
 in the compofition, but that of my whole life : if I do not 
 anfwer fully, I (ay, whatever is expelled from me, in thefe 
 refpecfbs, I will not refufe to be allowed no excufe, but be 
 juftly fcorned and laughed at by all this aflembly : for I 
 (hall certainly deferve this, if, having made fuch a general 
 promife, I fhould, in nothing, excel the performances of 
 others. And this is all I thought proper to premife con- 
 cerning myfelf. Thofe who fpeak of public affairs in fuch 
 an afTembly as this, immediately in the beginning of their 
 orations, inform their hearers, that, omitting all inteftinc 
 quarrels, they ought, in alliance, to turn their arms againft 
 the Perfians ; and, to this end, number over the calamities 
 which arife from mutual wars, and the great advantages 
 which will accrue from an inroad into the enemy's country ; 
 they fay indeed the truth, but do not lay the foundation of 
 their difcourfe upon that folid bafis, which would anfwer 
 fully their intention: for fome parts of Greece is depen- 
 dent on us, and other parts of it on the Lacedaemonians. 
 The different forms of government have, in this manner, 
 diftin^ifhed them. Whoever thinks that the reft of Greece 
 will unite in the common caufe, before the principal cities 
 are friend&, (hews great fimplicity, and is quite ignorant 
 of public affairs. But it becomes thofe who make not only 
 pompous difcouffes, but arc willing alfo to fee fomfe good 
 fffe^Sb produced by them, to fcek lor tho(e reafons, which 
 niay pcrfuade the two leading cities to be contented with 
 equality, and di.yjde the fupreme command : in a word, to 
 gain thofe advantages over the Barbarians, that they now 
 endeavour to gain over the reft of Greece, It would be no 
 difficulty to brii>g our city to a juit compofition ; but it 
 will be more difficult to perfuade the Lacedaemonians : for 
 tney have entertained a falfc opinion, that the fupremacy 
 r r Greece is theif natural right and property. But fhouid 
 any oijie be able to convince their prejudice, that this ho* 
 ftpur belongs rather to our city than theirs, they Would lay 
 v-^j • afide 
 
 
 . ♦ 
 
 •I' 
 
 ^ > 
 
 1 
 
 / 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 53 
 
 afide jealous difputes, and concur in the common good. 
 Others therefore ought to have begun here, and not have 
 given advice about what was allowed by all before, but 
 have reconciled thefe fatal differences. I fhall, in this 
 view, for the common good, employ the chief part of my 
 difcourfe to this end, that I may gain this point, may pro- 
 mote the general intereft, and, after I have healed our in- 
 teftine quarrels, perfuade us to a confederate war againft 
 tyranny, and the common enemy. But if this fhould be 
 impraaicable, that I may fhew who are the impediment of 
 fo much good to Greece, and make it manifeft to all, that, 
 in former ages, our city governed by vfca^^nd even now 
 claims, without injuftice, a national precedency. For this I 
 fhall make evident, that if it is juft, that every one fhould 
 moft honoured in regard of what he has had the moft expe- 
 rience of, and is the beft qualified for, then indifputably 
 we have a right to the chief command, which we formerly 
 enjoyed by common confcnt : for none will ever fhcw me 
 a city which has fo excelled in land-wars, as ours has done 
 in the greateft dangers by fea, for the common caufe of 
 Greece. But fhould this not appear a juft reafon to fome, 
 becaufe, m the courfe of things, changes of power and 
 titles muft happen (no government continuing alwavs in 
 the fame ftate) ; yet they will allow, at leaft, principality, 
 or chief authority, like other honorary titles, to be either 
 the property of the firft pofTcffors, or of thofe who have 
 been eminently the diftinguifhed benefadlors of Greece, 
 I perfuade my{c\i\ that, in all thefe regards, we have the 
 advantage : for the farther any one examines into this,- the ' 
 more vifibly we fhall lea^e our opponents behind us in their 
 pretenfions. It is acknowledged by all, that our city is 
 the ancienteft, the largeft, and the moli renowned of "i. 
 Greece. Ajid though this is the nobleft foundation for 
 honour, we have ftill farther pretenfions to it, for the fol- 
 lowing reafons : We poffelJj, I affirm, this territory with- 
 out the expulfion of others; we neither found it at firft de- 
 krty nor were mixed of feveral colleaed natioxus but. as 
 
 ^ 3 natU' 
 
54 The ORATIONS 
 
 naturally as glorioufiy, had our origin from this very part 
 \ of the earth which we now inhabit; and therefore may 
 ' luftly be called the lawful natives of the place from the hrlt 
 order of the primeval world : and we may reafonably give 
 our city the deareft names of relation ; for we alon^, cA all 
 the Greeks, may call our country our nourifher, our na- 
 live foil, and mother. Now it certainly becomes thofe, 
 who, without a blufh, can glory in their original, to put m 
 a reafonable plea for chief authority, frequently boaft of 
 their paternal titles, as they are able to appeal to all hiftory 
 for the truth of fuch a noble beginning. The grandeur of 
 our nation, I affirm it again, and the privileges of fortune, 
 in the original of our flate, give us no lefs caufe, than 1 
 have mentioned, of juft glory, and lofty fentiments. 
 
 But, to prove the glorious benefadions of our ancef- 
 tors we muft examine into the periods of time from the 
 beginning, and give the hiftory of our political aaions: 
 for we fhall, by this means, find our city the mventor of 
 all the advantages and preparations of war, and almoft the 
 fource of every art and fcience, by which our lives and 
 ftates are rendered more happy and fecure. But I fhall not 
 mention the lefTer benefits received from our nation, which 
 time (as being of lefs moment) has obfcured ; but fuch as, 
 on account of their excellency, are mentioned in hiftory, 
 allowed and praifed by all men. I afTert it, that what both 
 Greece and human kind ftand chiefly in need of, was firft 
 known and made common by our city ; and though this 
 may feem fabulous, by its antiquity, yet it is proper to be 
 mentioned here : for Ceres coming into our country, when 
 fhe followed her raviftied daughter, and being benevolently 
 difpofed towards our anceftors for their hofpitality (but the 
 particulars are unlawful to be told, except to the initiated) 
 fhe gave them two gifts, which are of the nobleft nature j 
 the art of propagating corn, and covering the fields every 
 year with rich harvefts, which drew mankind fifom a favage 
 life : fhe iikewife taught them her facred myfteries, which 
 \y^oever are initiated in, have good hopes in regard of life, 
 
 death. 
 
 >j •■ 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 ,i. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 1^5 
 
 ckHith, and all futuriiJy. Now our city was not only grate- 
 ful to the gods, but fuch a lover of mankind, that, poflefTed 
 of fuch fuperior happinefs, it envied not this felicity to 
 others, but made all partakers of its privileges ; and even 
 now we have of this an annual remembrance. I have ac- 
 quainted you with the benefits, the advantages, and public 
 goods, which have accrued from our anceftors ; but if any 
 one is yet diffident of what I have faid, When I have added 
 a few more circumftances, I dare fay no one will be fo uii- 
 reafonable as to doubt of it : for, in the firft place, if anti- 
 quity feems liable to uncertainty, we fhould the rather, oh 
 account of antient report, believe the a<5l:ions to have hap- 
 pened ; fince that the more perfons have heard and fpoken 
 of them, tho'they are not of modern date, we fhould judge 
 them more credible fof the number of atteftatcrt'S. But we 
 are not compelled to have recourfe only to antiquity for a 
 proof; we may judge of this verity by a furer criterion: 
 for moft of the Grecian cities, as a remembrance of our 
 former beneficence to them, fend us annually the firft- 
 fruits of their harvefts; and the Pythian Oracle, on ac- 
 count of fome negledling this duty, has ordered them to 
 fend in their proportions, and difcharge themfelves towards 
 our city of an antient cuftomary acknowledgment, NoW 
 what can gain credit with us, if the legality of a public 
 right does not, which an Oracle confirms, and the greatefl 
 part of Greece allows; in refpe6l of which, antient rame 
 Agrees with prefent fa<Sl:, and the pradlice of feveral cities 
 ratifies it by example? But, fetting afide all that I have 
 been faying, we fhall find, by hiftory, that the firft of man* t 
 kind did not enjoy all the prefent commodities of human 
 life, but, by degrees, through induftry and invention, pro-i- 
 cured themfelves its prefent conveniencies. Now who are 
 more likely, either gratuitoufly to have received them from 
 the gods, or to have found them out of thenifelves ? Shall 
 we fuppofe any othen, than thofe who are allowed by aH^ 
 to have been the firft, the moft ingenious by nature, moft 
 religious and grateful towards the gods ? What honouw 
 
 £ 4 thcp 
 
56 The ORATIONS 
 
 then the authors of the fore-mentioned benefits deferve, I 
 think it ncedlefs here to inform your equity and wifdom ; 
 for certainly nothing can equal fuch great obligations. Ye 
 therefore, I fay, have thefe glorious proofs to give of the 
 greateft, the firft, and moft univerfal of all human bene- 
 factions. 
 
 In the fame time, or near it, our city faw the Barbarians 
 in pofleiTion of the largell territories, the Greeks inclofed 
 in a narrow fpace, and, upon account of its narrov^^nefs, 
 laying ambufcades for one another, raifmg armies, and 
 either perifhing by famine, or in battle. Upon this occa- 
 fion, Athens did not negle6t the public intereft, but fent to 
 neighbouring cities fkilful leaders, who, colleaing the moft 
 indigent, and becoming their generals, conquered the Bar- 
 barians in battle, and built feveral cities on both fides of 
 the continent, peopled all the iflands, and faved both thofe 
 "who followed them, and thofe who (laid behind in their 
 own country : for they left the latter fuificient land to cul- 
 tivate, and they gained, for the firft, more than they had 
 been pofTefTed of. In a word, they feized, by their courage 
 and bravery, on all that compafs of ground, which Greece 
 now poflefTes i fo that to thofe who came after, and had a 
 mind to imitate their example, they made the undertaking 
 ver)' eafy : for they needed not to expofe their lives for a 
 new acquifition, but go and pofTefs what lands were already 
 fref^^ from enemies. And who now can fhew a precedency 
 jufter than this, which was eftabliftied before many of the 
 Grecian cities were built ; or more commonly beneficial, 
 than what was the deftru^ion of the Barbarians, and caufe 
 of liberty and plenty to the Grecians ? Nor, though our 
 city excelled others by the glory of its aaions, did it de- 
 fpife the reft of Greece ; but made the beginning of its be- 
 neficence, providing the neceflaries of life, which muft be 
 the foundation of all the added pleafures and advantages of 
 it. And judging mere neceflaries not fufficient to make life 
 eligible, our city took fuch care for the reft, that none of 
 4II the goods, wliich are not the gifts only of the gods, but 
 - the 
 
 j« 
 
 * 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 > M 
 
 r 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 N 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 » 
 
 i 
 
 oflSOCRATES. 57 
 
 .the effefts of fociety, have been acquired without our city, 
 
 but the moft, and greateft of them, by its induftry and m- 
 
 vention: for, finding the Greeks living without law, and 
 
 fcattered in the country, feme of them oppreffed by the , 
 
 nobles, and others ruined by anarchy, Athens freed them 
 
 from thefe calamities, conquering tyrants, and propoling 
 
 itfelf an example of a moderate government to all ; for it 
 
 was our city which firft eftabliflied laws, and fettled an 
 
 equitable commonwealth. This is evident hence: thofe 
 
 who at firft accufed others of murder, and were w.lhng 
 
 that judgment fhould be given according to equity and jul- 
 
 tice, not determined by violence, fought a folution of thefe 
 
 cafes in our laws. ^ 
 
 And, indeed, in refpea of thofe arts wh.ch are necef- 
 fary for life, as well as thofe that were invented for the 
 pleafure of it, you will find, that our city, either as the 
 inventor or improver, communicated them to others. i« 
 other ceconomy of government likewife was humane, hof- 
 pitable, and equitable towards all ; for it accommodated it- 
 felf not only to fuch as were in neceffity, but fuch l.kcw.fe 
 as would enjoy in freedom their acquired poffeffions ; nor 
 was it improper either for the happy or diftreffed to take 
 refugt under, but made it eligible for both to live with us, 
 either as feeking the fecurity of their juft pleafure, or an 
 afvlum in calanyty. Befides, our city finding the country 
 not plentiful enough in all fruits, but abounding in fome, 
 and deficient in others, and that there was need of export- 
 in- fome, and importing others, fhe remedied alfo this evil ; 
 for^fhe made the Pyrsus, as it were, a common mart m 
 the midft of all Greece, which had fuch variety of necef- 
 faries and merchandize, that what was difficult to be found 
 fingle in other places, it was eafy to find here in the greateft 
 
 ''''now they certainly deferve pralfe, who have inftituted 
 public affemblies, becaufe they have introduced a cuftom, 
 whereby, as in common league, and laying afide a 1 enmi- 
 ties, we might meet together in national amity and fr^d- 
 
 % 
 
 V) 
 
 1 ?l 
 
 lt> I 
 
 i. 
 
 \' 
 
I 
 
 58 the O R A T I O N S 
 
 fbip; and thus ofFcrkg common prayers and facrificw, r(*- 
 member our mutual confanguinit}', be more kindJy difpof- 
 eJ towards one another, renew our former hofpitaiities, 
 contradt new friend£hips, nor fuffer this meeting to be un- 
 profitable either to the lowcft or higheft clafs of citizens i 
 bwt, in this univerfal conflux of Greece, let the rich and 
 nobles have an opportunity of difplaying their happinefs 
 and magnificence, and the lower rank, of feeing them con- 
 tend for glory, and emulate each others virtues. Thus 
 none are deprived of a fhare in the common plcafures, but 
 fome are delighted in feeing the combatants ftrive to gain 
 their approbation, and the combatants pleafed to fee all af- 
 fembled to behold their performances. Now fuch being the 
 high privileges of univer{al aflemblies in a nation, our city 
 lias not yielded to others in this regard -, for it has inflituted 
 feveraJ moft glorious and noWe fhews, fome diftinguifhed 
 by fplendor and expence, others by liberal arts and proofs 
 of eloquence, and, finally, fome by a mixture of both 
 thefe advantages. The multitude, which, on thofe occa* 
 fions, come to us, is fo great, that whatever pleafure can 
 ije received from general company, is abundantly found in 
 ©urcity and country. Here we may meet with the firmefl: 
 and moft generous friendfhips, and all the variety of Agree- 
 able ccnverfation : here we may fee the noblcft athletic 
 games, and trials not only of flrength or fwiftn efs, but 
 bear proofs of the moft confummate reafon and eloquence ; 
 in fhort, Ve may fee all manly qualities, and proportioned 
 It wards for them: for, befides her own gifts, Athens per- 
 fuades other cities to join in generofity ; and whatever fhc 
 judges conducive to public good, receives praife and appro- 
 bation from all mankind. Befides, 1 further add this, that 
 the aflemblies, made after long fpaces of time by other ci- 
 ties, are fcarce fooner met, than they are diflblved ; but 
 whoever comes to our city, finds in it, as it were, a per- 
 petual fucceflive afiembly from all the parts of Greece. 
 
 Now, that genuine philofophy, which found out all thefe 
 advantages, facilitated the means of acquiring them, taught 
 
 us 
 
 \ 
 
 \."H 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 59* 
 
 us the rules of humanity, and rendercd »s fociable to one 
 ajiother, removed the calamities we fuffer either from ig-' 
 norance or neceflky, and informed ^s how to fhun the 
 one, and bear wifely the other ; that philofophy, I fay," 
 was certainly the invention of our city, vi^ich always cul- 
 tivated that perfection of our reafon, which all men defire, 
 but too many envy in thofe who arc pofTefled of it i for 
 our city was not ignorant, that this is the noble faculty by 
 which we are diftinguifhed from beafts ; and that, by our* 
 excellency in this, we have gained the advantage over them 
 in all other things. She likewife obferved, that, in regard' 
 of other aaions, the efteds were ftrangely impeded often- 
 times, or difordered by fortune; fo that frequently the 
 wife are fruftrated, and the imprudent and rafti fuccefsful : 
 but, on the contrary, that eloquence and philofophic dif- 
 courfes are not to be expecled from the ftupid and vitious, 
 but from men of improved genius and refined virtue ; and 
 that thofe who are efteemed to excel in wifdom, are, by > 
 this faculty, the moft diftinguifhed from the grovelling-' 
 minded and the ignorant: that, likewife, thofe who are 
 liberally educated, are not fo much admired for their cou- 
 rage, riches, or any other fuch advantages, as they are 
 rendered famous by the art of fpeaking, and the ftrength of 
 their reafon. This is the fureft evidence of a man's edu-- 
 cation; and thofe who exceed others in eloquence and ) 
 knowledge, are not only powerful in their refpe6live ci- 
 ties, but likewife have great honour every-where. Now,^ 
 our city has fo far furpafied all the reft of mankind in po- 
 litical prudence, and artful perfuafion, that thofe ^ho were 
 the difciples of our philofophers, have become matters to . 
 other people ; nay, our city has been the occafion, that the 
 name of a Grecian no longer feems to be the mark of a y 
 nation, but of good fenfe and underftanding : thofe are A 
 called Greeks that have had the advantage of our educa- 
 tion, rather than the natives of Greece. 
 
 But that I may not feem to dwell upon particulars,when 
 I have promifed to fpeak of the fum of affairs, nor praife 
 
 our 
 
 ■£*»,!* 
 
6o The ORATIONS 
 
 our city from thefe topics, becaufe I have not ' ffic'ent 
 matter for doing fo, onaccount of its glory and ..ftinaion 
 m war, let this I have faid fuffice to thofe who admire the 
 excellencies I have hitherto mentioned: I judge, notwith- 
 ftanding, that our anceftors deferve no lefs honour and 
 dleem for their heroic actions, and voluntary dangers for 
 the public good in war, than on account of their general 
 beneficence to all Greece 5 for they have not undergone 
 either fmall, common, or ignoble hazards ; on the con- 
 trary, great, noble, and dreadful conflids, fome for their 
 own country, and fome for the liberty of other ftates. 
 1 hey have ever communicated the happinefs of their city 
 to others, and revenged, at their own e^^^nce and danger, 
 the infults and injuries done to the Grecians ; infomuch 
 that fome have accufed our city of imprudence, for patro- 
 nizing the weaker, not perceiving that they highly praife 
 «s by this imputation : for it was not our ignorance of what 
 advantages accrue from ftroiig alliances, that made us acSt 
 in this n.anner; but though we underftood better than any 
 men the confequences of fuperior power, yet we cliofe ra- 
 ther to affift the weak, even to our own detriment, than 
 join with the ftrong, to promote injuftice and oppreiTion, 
 though we might have been the gainers by fuch a conduft. 
 Any one may know the manners and ftrength of our city 
 by the embaffies and fupplications which have been fent • 
 but I fliall pafs over fuch as have been fcnt us latelv, or 
 upon fmall occafions. 
 
 But long before the Trojan times '(for it is proper to 
 begin from thence, in a difpute of tif s nature), the defen- 
 dants of Hercules came to our city,' and, a little while be- 
 fore them, Adraftus the fon of Talaus, who was king of 
 Argos. He, having met with adve.fity in the war at 
 Thebes, and not able to carry oft and bury thofe that lay 
 ffam under the Cadmian citadel, intrcated our city to take 
 part in the common diftrelTes of human nature, nor ne- 
 gled thofe who had fallen by the chance of war, or per- 
 mit them to lie unburied, and thus let fo antient, na- . 
 
 tionat. 
 
 \ 
 
 J! 
 
 i 
 
 7 
 
 I 
 
 H I- V 
 
 i 
 
 
 :.'«s-'- 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 6r 
 
 tional and religious a rite be broken through. As for 
 the defcendants of Hercules flying from the perfecution of 
 S T' =^^"°'^^g^'-ding other cities, as incapable of 
 aflifting them, but judging our city alone ftrong and <rene- 
 rous enough to fhewher gratitude for thofe bei;efit; where-- 
 by their father had obliged all mankind, they fued for the 
 patronage of Ajhens alone againft oppreflion and violence. 
 From hence it is evident, 'that, even in that time, our citv 
 had a diftiagt«fted honour, and now puts not in itsclaimL 
 without fohd ground., to precedency: for who would ever 
 have recourfe to weaker than themfelves, or to fuch as were 
 fubjeaed to others, and pafs by thofe who had thegreateft 
 authority and power? efpecially not comiri| about private' 
 affairs only, but a public intereft, which it was notpm- 
 teble any would undertake to defend, but fuch as thought 
 JemfelvK worthy of being at the head of all Gre«e. 
 Wow, It IS clear, they were not deceived in their expefta- 
 tions from our anceftors ; for our city entering into a war 
 onaccount of thofe who fell before Thebes, as well as for 
 the proteaion of Hercules's children againft Euryfthcus. 
 having attacked the firft, they obliged them to give up thc^ 
 dead bodies, to be decently buried by their relations ; and.' 
 upon the Peloponnefians making an inroad into Attica, 
 vith Euryftheus, they met and defeated them; by this« 
 means putting an end to the tyranny of Eu^yftheus over' 
 die family of Hercules. Though they were juftly admired 
 befor^for their noble anions, vet they became ftill more 
 glorious by fuch generous patronage j for they performed 
 lo efteaually what they had undertaken, that they caft 
 fuch weight into the balance of fortune, that he who had 
 implored our fuccour, having conquered his enemies, «c. 
 quired whatever he had wiflied by our affiftance. But Eu- 
 ryftheus, expefling to have been fuperior, being himfelf ta- 
 ken prifoner, was forced to become a fupplicant to our Go- 
 vernment. And this is worthy of obfervation, that "he 
 who jurpafied the dignity of human nature, who was be- 
 gotten by Jupiter, and, while a mortal, had godlike ftrength. 
 
 was 
 
6a 
 
 The ORATION S 
 
 Was yet oppreflei and tyranni'zed over, during life, by fiu4 
 ryftheus : but no fooncr had the tyrant trefpafled againft usj 
 but he met with fucb a reverfe of ibrtune, that, falling in* 
 tti the hands of Hercules's children, he fini/hed his life with 
 diihonour. Tho' I could mention mtny khndnefies and faJ 
 vours done to the Laced smoniaAs by our countrymen, yet t 
 have only fpoke of this ; for the oiFspring of Hercules, the 
 anceftors of thofe who now reign inLatedflemon, taking op- 
 porutnity from that prote<Slion which we had given them, re- 
 turned to Peloponnefus, poiTefied then;ifelves of Argos, Lace- 
 daemon, and Mycenae, becan^e founders of Sparta, and the 
 original and fource of all the happiiiefs the natives now en*^ 
 joyi which the Lacedaemonians ought never to have forgot*. 
 ten, or ever invaded tjiis country, from which their ancef* 
 tors kings, returning with fuccours, wore eftablifhed in 
 fuch great happinefs > nor have expofed this city to danger^ 
 which had hazarded fo much her own tranquillity for the 
 fons of Hercules ; nor granted royalty to his defccndantsy 
 and endeavoured to bring into fervitude the authors of the 
 whole family's flourifliing condition and liberty. But if, 
 fetting afide generous benefadions, we return again to our 
 UtR, fubje^l, and give the plaineft and ftrongeft reafons 
 which make for my pofition, is it natural that foreigners 
 ihould be honoured above the original inhabitants? that 
 thofe who have received favours, be preferred to their be- 
 nefa£lors, and fupplicants to their protedors ? I can give a 
 flill fhorter demonftration of thefe truths* Of all the ci- 
 ties of Greece at that time, Argos, Thebes, and Lacedae- 
 mon, were the greateft, except ours, and now continue to 
 be fo. Now it is certain, that our anceftors fo far excelled 
 all the other Greeks, that they fent their exprefs orders to 
 the Thebans to defift from war, in the calamity of the Ar- 
 gives, tho' the Thebans were in the very height of their 
 power : but, in refpedl of Hercules's children, after con- 
 quering the Argives, and other Peloponnefians in battle, 
 our city both freed the citizens aad founders of Sparta from 
 the dangers which threatned . them, on account of an 
 
 haughty 
 
 i 
 
 II 
 
 \ 
 
 ( 
 
 of r S, O C R A T E S. 63 
 
 liaughty and infulting enemy : fo that I cannot poflibly per- 
 ceive how any one can produce a better plea for the lead- 
 incT authority in Greece, than fuch piiblic univerfal bene-' 
 fits conferred on all. 
 
 It feems proper to me here, that I {hould now fpeak of 
 thofe aaions, which reflea: glory upon our anceftors, for: 
 their bfave refiftance of the Barbarians ; efpecially fmce I 
 have defigned this difcourfe to be an exhortation to all 
 Greece^ by common confent, to make a confederate war^ 
 againft them. Should I here now enumerate all the diffi- 
 culties and hazards of fuch a glorious enterprize, I fhoulct 
 draw out my oration to an immoderate length. But I will 
 endeavour, with the fame brevity and clearnefs, to explain 
 myfelf about what is moft momentous, as I have lately done 
 in regard of the topics I fpoke of before. The nations, 
 who have the moft extended power, are the Scythians, 
 Thracians, and the Perfians. Thefe are all of them our. 
 certain enemies; and our city is conftantly maligned and 
 expofed to danger by them. Now what will be left to my 
 opponents to pretend, if I prove that thofe Grecians, who 
 could obtain equity from others by their own power, have 
 always humbly fought for the afliftance of our city ; and 
 that the Barbarians never entertained a defign of enflaving 
 Greece, but they always attacked our country firft. The 
 moft memorable war that has happened, was the Perfian : 
 and yet there are to be found, in antient hiftory, no lefs 
 proofs of what I ailert; for when Greece Was as yet in a! 
 low and obfcure condition, the Thracians, under their ge- 
 neral Eumolpus, the fon of Neptune, and the Scythians,-- 
 with the Amazons, daughters of the god Mars, made an 
 invafion on our country, not indeed at the fame time, but 
 when each of them were abfolute in Europe. Tho' they 
 hated the whole Grecian nation, yet they found pretenfions 
 of a private quarrel with us, judging, that, by this means, 
 they (hould have only to contend with one city, but thereby 
 make themfelves mafters of all. They did not, however, 
 fucceed ; for though they fought only with our anceftors, 
 yet they were as entirely defeated, as if they had contended 
 
 with 
 
 \ 
 
64 The ORATIONS 
 
 Wicli all mankind. This is clear from the calamities they 
 fufFered ; for the hiftory of thofc tranfadlons would not 
 have continued fuch a feries of* time, unlefs this war had 
 far exceeded all before it. It is likewifc faid of the Ama- 
 zons, that not one of them all returned back again ; and 
 that thofe who remained behind, upon account of the lofs 
 here, were deprived of their own kingdom. As for the 
 Thracians, who, in that time, were our immediate neigh- 
 bours, after this invafion, they left fo much land behind 
 them, that there are efbblifhed, in their place, feveral and 
 j^rious nations, and many large and ftrong cities are built 
 and inhabited. Now, fuch inftances as thcfe are glorious 
 pretenfions for thofe who put in a claim to diftinguifhed ho- 
 nours and authority. But of a like nature with this bravery 
 (as was fitting), were thefe heroes pofterity's actions in the 
 Perfian war, raifed by Darius and Xerxes : for this latter 
 war being the greateft that has ever been mentioned in hif- 
 tory, the moft dreadful dangers, as it were a deluge rufhing ' 
 in on all fides, the enemy, at the fame time, perfuading 
 themfelves that they were invincible by their numbers, their 
 allies likewife glorying in their ftrength; our anceftors at- 
 tacked them courageouHy, and, getting the better of both> 
 were judged worthy, by all Greece, of the higheft honours, 
 for their zeal and fortitude in the common caufe. Soon 
 after, they had deferred to them the fovercignty of the fea. 
 This all Greece concurred in, even thofe who now endea- 
 vour to deprive us of it. But I would not here have any 
 one think that I am ignorant, that the Lacedaemonians, 
 at the fame time, were authors of great advantages to 
 Greece: yet, from hence, I judge our city defervingof the 
 higheli: praife, that, though flie had fuch noble antagonifts, 
 (he ftill gained fo far the fuperiority in public merit. 
 
 I SHALL infift fomething longer upon the merits of thefc 
 two cities, and not lightly run them over, that both may 
 put us in mind of our anceftors valour and virtue, as well as 
 our hereditary hatred to the Barbarians. And let me fay 
 here, that I am not infenfible, how difficult it is, for me, 
 who fpeak of things which have been largely treated of be- 
 fore, 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 6s 
 
 fore, and this by the moft eloquent citizens, at public ho- 
 norary burials, to exprefs myfelf with fuitable dignity; for 
 the moft diftinguifhed anions of both, and worthy of praife, 
 have been already celebrated by others, and a fmall oppor- 
 tunity only feems left to me of adding any more ; yet ftill 
 I ought not to omit what is left me, but willingly embrace 
 every juft occafion of doing fuch glorious rivals juftice ; 
 fmce this will be conducive to the public good, and mutual 
 emulation. Now, I believe it will be allowed by all, that --1 ^ 
 thofe who have turned off" the calamities of Greece by the 
 oppofition of their own bodies, have a title to the higheft 
 encomiums : nor is it proper here, to pafs over in filence 
 thofe who lived before the breaking out of this war, and 
 governed in each city ; for it was they who exercifed their 
 pofterity in virtue, and infpired their citizens with fuch 
 noble thoughts, as rendered them terrible antagonifts to 
 the Barbarians ; for they did not neglecSl the public, nor 
 enjoy its revenues as a property, while they looked on its 
 interefts as none of theirs ; but they took care of them as 
 their own, and abftained from making a prey of their ci- 
 ties treafures, as from what belonged to the commonwealth 
 only : nor did they meafure happinefs by gold ; but they 
 thought the nobleft and fafeft riches were the acquifition of 
 public love, and general praife, and leaving them as an in- 
 heritance to their children ; for they envied not one an- 
 other's audacioufnefs, nor exercifed mutual enmities ; but 
 they thought it a far greater evil to be difpraifed by their 
 citizens, than to lofe, with glory, their life for their coun- 
 try ; and they were even more afhamed then for any public 
 difgraces, than we are now for our private infamies and 
 vices. It was by fuch a principle, that they were as care- 
 ful of the laws and rules which regard daily domeftic duties, 
 as of thofe which are calculated for the fecurit}^ of public 
 contracts ; for they knew, that fuch as were infpired with 
 the love of virtue and integrity, would not ftand in need 
 of many writings, but, by a few fimple formulas, would 
 live in amity both in regard of private and public interefts. 
 
 F And 
 
 !7S 
 
66 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 And they were of that humane civil difpofition, as to con^ 
 tend with one another, not for fu periority by the ruin of 
 rivals, but who fhould have the honour of mod benefiting 
 the city^ and they made aflbciations, not in view of pri- 
 vate advantages, but of doing good to the populace. In 
 the fame noble defign, they confulted the happinefs of 
 others, and never infultcd or oppreiTed the reft of the Gre- 
 cians. They thought it was their duty to condudl: their ar- 
 I mies, and not tyrannize over them ; and they chofc rather 
 / to be called their generals than lords, their prefervers than 
 ^ deftroyers ; pcrfuading the neighbouring cities by friendly 
 aiElionsj not fubjedling them by force. They made their 
 ' words be more lefpedled and depended on> than in our 
 asc we do our mofl: folemn oaths ; and were as religious 
 obfervers of their covenants and treaties, as if they were 
 the laws of rate and nccefiity : nor did they pride them- 
 < felves in power, but in living virtuoufly, and being diftin- 
 > guifhed by their modefly and temperance. They had the 
 fame difpofition towards the weaker, as they would have 
 wiflied the Wronger fhould have towards them; and though 
 they judged their own city their particular care and pro- 
 perty, yet they thought all Greece their native common 
 country. Ii was by thefc maxims, and accuftoming tha 
 youth to fikh principles, that they rendered their fons fuch 
 brave antagonilis to the Afiatics, that no poets or orators 
 "•^u^ld ever, by their praifes, equal the glory of their heroic 
 actions. And I think they deferve excufe ; for it is as dif- 
 ficult to Worthily praife thofe who have excelled all by their 
 a.!ilion=;, as it would be to reafonably praife thofe who are 
 void of all merit. In the latter, there is no fubjedl for pa- 
 negyric, and the former, by their divine virtues, fufpafs all 
 eloquence ; for liow can they even be compared witli thofe 
 (if we would not injure them) who fought before Troy? 
 for thefe beficgcd one city, in a lingering war, ten years ; 
 but their poikiity overthrew the collected forces of all Afia 
 in a (hort time : nor only faved their own cities, but reco- 
 vered the liberty of all Greece. What muft we think their 
 
 virtues 
 
 MB.' 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 67 
 
 Virtues and labours to have been, that they might be praifed 
 living, when they advanced with alacrity to certain death, 
 that they might be honoured and efleemed in their graves ? 
 I believe, that fome god ftirred up this war, that he might 
 have the pleafure of exercifmg and admiring fuch heroifm 
 and amazing valour; that men of fuch exalted natures 
 fhould not be unknown, or loft in the obfcurity of death, 
 but be equalled to thofe who derived their blood from 
 heaven, and were ftiled demi-gods ; for they likewife were 
 fubjedt, by their bodies, to common mortality, but left be- 
 hind them an immortal fame, acquired by their deathlefs 
 adlions. 
 
 Wherefore, as I have faid, our anceftors and the 
 Lacedicmonians were always emulous of each other j and, 
 at that time efpecially, they contended in the race of glory, ] 
 not as enemies, but as noble-minded rivals ; not flattering 
 the Barbarians to bring Greece under a common flavery, 
 but joining, in mutual bravery, to aftert the fafety and li- 
 berty of our native country. They difputed, indeed, for 
 the prize of glory, and which of them ftiould be the prin- 
 cipal authors of the happinefs of Greece; they fhewed 
 their diftinguiftied courage, and our city, firft of all, againft 
 the forces fent by Darius ; for, they making a defcent into 
 Attica, we expeiSfed not fuccours ; but, thinking the com- 
 mon war our own private danger, we met in battle the de- 
 fpifers of ail Greece, having none but our own troops, and 
 a few auxiliaries, againft fo great a multitude, as chear- 
 fully as if all our hazard had been in mercenary forces. 
 But the Lacedaemonians, indeed, no fooner knew of the 
 invafion of Attica, than, omitting all other care, they 
 haftcd to our aftiftance, marching with fuch rapidity, as 
 they would have done to fave their own country from plun- 
 der and devaftation. This is a token of the zeal and dif- 
 patch that was then exerted by our anceftors, as it is faid 
 of them, that, in the fame day they heard of the Barba- 
 rians defcent, they marched to prote6t the frontiers, and, 
 giving battle, raifed an immortal trophy by the ruin of the 
 
 F 2 pro- 
 
s 
 
 68 The ORATIONS 
 
 prodigious Perfian army : and the Lacedaemonians, in three 
 days and nights, marched a thoufand two hundred furlongs 
 with their whole army, to fhew their zeal and emulation 
 in the purfuit of glory ; and our anceftors made the fame 
 fpeed to meet, alone, the common danger, before their 
 allies could join them. After this, the war again break- 
 ing out under Xerxes, who, daring to leave his palace, and 
 condud his army as general, and gathering together the 
 whole ftrength of Afia, came upon us with that deluge of 
 an ocean-like power, as it is impoflible for words to ex- 
 prefs. He was elated to that excefs of pride, that he ima- 
 gined it an eafy enterprize to enflave all Greece ; and, de- 
 fi<ynino- to give a proof of more than mortal power, he 
 ceafed not till he effected a prodigy, that has been celebrated 
 bv all, to wit, to make his army fail on the continent, 
 and march over the fea on foot, as on even firm ground ; 
 for he made a bridge over the Hcllefpont, and dug through 
 Mount Athos by the innumerable hands of his army. 
 Againft a king of fuch an enterprifmg mind, who had ef- 
 fected fuch wonders, we, and the Lacedaemonians, divided 
 the daneer. The Lacedaemonians chofe out of their men 
 a thoufand foot, and a few allies, with the defign of inter- 
 cepting their paflage at Thermopylae ; but our forefathers 
 filled, with warriors and failors, fixty gallies at Artemifium. 
 Nor did they fhew fuch intrepidity out of co/itcmpt of the 
 enemy, but rather out of an heroic emulation of each others 
 courage and refolution. The Lacedaemonians emulated 
 our glory in the plains of Marathon, and fought to equal 
 it, fearing left our city fhould again become the fole caufe 
 of the fafety of all Greece. But our anceftors were defi- 
 rous of preferving their acquired fame, and make it evident 
 to all, that they did not conquer before by fortune, but by 
 their bravery and valour. Befides this, they had in view 
 to bring the Greeks to improve their maritime powers, and 
 fhew them, that conduiSl and bravery, in this refpecl, pre- 
 vail over multitudes. Tho' both ftiewect equal bravery, yet 
 they had not both the fame fuccefs^ for the Lacedaemonians 
 
 were 
 
 ^^r 
 
 v.^jfS" ■ 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. 69 
 
 were flain : and tho' they conquered, by their virtue and ' 
 courage, the power of death itfelf, they, notwithftanding, 
 funk under the multitude of their enemies ; for it is not j 
 lawful to fay of fuch undaunted heroes, that they were or 
 could be vanquiftied : not one of them but fcorned ignoble 
 flight. Our anceftors, on the contrary, immediately con- 
 quered the firft ftiips of the Perfians : but when they heard, 
 that the Barbarians had gained the pafrage,they failed back, 
 and fo confulted the public good, that, after they had per- 
 formed many noble exploits, they particularly excelled 
 themfelves in the extremity of danger ; for all their allies 
 being difpirited, and the Peloponnefians walling up the 
 Ifthmus, and feeking their own fafety, nay, all the other 
 cities being fubjecled by the Barbarians, and fighting on 
 their fide, except fome that had been neglc£led on account 
 of their inconfiderablenefs, our anceftors ftill retained the 
 fame independence and magnanimity ; for twelve hundred 
 fhips, and an innumerable land-army, being ready to in- 
 vade Attica, though they could promife themfelves no fe- 
 curity, deprived as they were of allies, and all probable 
 hopes, yet ftill having it in their power to avoid danger, 
 nay to receive diftinguifhed favours which the king offered 
 them, who judged, that if he once joined to his own their 
 naval force, he fhould, without difficulty, make himfelf 
 mafter of all Peloponnefus ; notwithftanding this, I fay, 
 they rejected his propofals with a fublimity of mind worthy 
 of patriots and true heroes. Nor did they indulge a blind 
 refentment againft other Grecians, by whom they had been 
 deferted, and eagerly accept the terms propofed by the king; 
 but they refolved alone to contend for liberty, pardoning 
 and pitying thofe who chofe fubjedlion and flavery ; for they 
 thought, that humble and weak cities might confult their 
 fafety any ways ; but that thofe who were emulous of the 
 higheft glory in Greece, could not be excufed, if they 
 {hunned danger in the common caufe of public good and 
 liberty. And as it is eligible to brave and virtuoufly-minded 
 men, rather to chufe death than an infamous life, fo it is 
 
 F 3 more 
 
yo The ORATIONS 
 
 more eligible to cities, that excel In glory, to be erazed t(J 
 the very foundations, than ever fubmit to fervitude. It is 
 certain our anceftors thought fo; for, finding themfelves 
 not a match for the king's both fea and land-forces, taking 
 all the citizens aboard their fhips, they failed with them to 
 an adjoining ifland, that they might thus not expofe them- 
 felve« all at once to the chance of war. I may juflly hero 
 cry out, how can we pofTibly imagine better men, or greater 
 lovers of Greece, than fuch as had the courage (to favc 
 others from flavervAt^ look calmly upon their exhauftcd 
 city, their plwndered\ountry, ihc'ir fpoilcd temples, their 
 burnt (hrincs, the whole war pouiing in on all Tides into 
 Attica ! But this did not fuffice them ; for they dared 
 alone to fight againft twelve hundred of the Barbarian 
 {hips. Indeed they were not fufFeied to do this by the refl, 
 but they had the courage to have done it ; for the Pelopon- 
 nefians, blufhingto fee their virtues, and judging their own 
 ruin mufl follow theirs, and, fhould they conquer unaf- 
 fifted, that they would difgrace all the other cities ; the Pe^ 
 loponnefians, I fay, were thus forced to come in to their 
 aififtance. I need not here, methink?, on this occafion, 
 reprefent the tumult of a£lion, the fhouts and mutual ex- 
 hortations of the foldiers and failoi-s, and all the horrors of 
 fuch a dreadful conflict. 
 
 But what is peculiar and proper to precedency in ho- 
 nour, I think it my duty to take an opportunity of men- 
 tioning in this place ; for fuch was the glory and fuperio- 
 rity of our city, in its flourlfhing condition, that, after it 
 was left and abandoiicd, yet its inhabitants furnifhed more 
 gallies for the common caufe than all the reft of Greece be- 
 fides ; for there is no one fo unjuft an adverfary to us, as 
 not to confefs, that tho' all Greece conquered in this fea- 
 battle, vet our city was the caufe of fo fignal a \i<Story, 
 And, in a future expedition againft the Barbarians, who, in 
 equity, can we think fhould have the higheft commarid ? 
 Should it not be they who excelled in the former war, u ho 
 gained the greateft applaufe, often alone expofed their lixes, 
 
 and 
 
 l^t 
 
 / 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 71 
 
 and were univerfally judged worthy of the higheft ho- 
 nours ? Should it not be they, who left their own habita- 
 tions for the public good, tho' they were antiently the pof- 
 feftbrs of the greateft number of cities, and preferved them * 
 by their valour from the dreadfulleft calamities ? Muft it 
 not be faid, with reafon, that we fhould fufFer great injuf- 
 tice, if, af : having borne the hardeft labours in our na- 
 tional adverfities, we fhould now be judged only deferving 
 inferior honours ? and tho' they originally took the place of 
 all, thev now fhould be forced down to a humbler rank ? 
 In the forementioned times, I know all will agree, that our ^ 
 city was the caufe of the greateft pubKc good, and confe-f* 
 quently deferved the precedency. 
 
 But, after all this, fome accufe us now of having been, 
 when we had received the fovereignty of the feas^ the caufe 
 ;ilfo of many calamities to the Greeks ; and they mention, 
 on this occafion, the captivity of the Melii, and the total 
 deftrucllon of the Scioneans, But I think this is no proof 
 that we ruled unjuftly, if fome, who dared to make war 
 Upon us, were feverely punifhed : nay, I rather think, that 
 this is a certain mark, that we had a great regard for the in- 
 terefts of our allies, fmce no cities, under our patronat^e, 
 fell into the like miferies. Eefides, if any other ftatesufed 
 a milder government, they alone have a title to condemri 
 us : but if this has not happened (nor is it poffible to keep 
 fo many cities in obedience, without punifhing the difobe- 
 dient), how can It be otherwife than juft to praife us, ^ 
 who, having fhcwed our refentment but againft a few, were 
 able to maintain our fovcreio;ntv fo lono; ? And none can 
 doubt, methinks, that thofe are beft patrons and protedors 
 of the Grecians, under whofe government the obedient 
 have been in the moft fiourifliing condition. Now, under 
 our principality, we ftiall find, that both private families 
 were in the happieft fituation, and cities in the moft im- 
 proving and flourifhing condition ; for we envied not their 
 increafc, nor introduced troubles amongft them, or raifed 
 tcparatcfiidions, that they might be divided^ and each party 
 
 F 4 court 
 
72 The O R A T I O N $ 
 
 court our favour; but, judging the concord of our allies a 
 common good, we governed all cities by the fame laws, 
 treating them as friends do, not as lords; direding, in! 
 ^ deed, the univerfal affairs of all the ftate, but leaving every 
 one free in his own cities ; always affifting the people, 
 and humbling tyrants, thinking it unjuft, that a multitude 
 fhould be flavcs to a few, and the poorer fort, though no 
 ways in other refpeds inferior, be excluded from public 
 pofts ; and though our native foil be a common property; 
 that fome fliould reign, others be only as fojourners, and 
 though citizens by nature, yet be deprived of a fliare in 
 the government. Having thefe juft objedions againft oli- / 
 garchies, and more than thefe, we eflablifhed the fame form 
 of government amongft others,as we ufed ourfelves ; which, 
 I think, I need not praife more at large, as I can make the 
 whole evident in few words ; for we have continued feventy 
 years living under this form of government, fecure againft 
 tyrants as well as Barbarians, without civil diifenfions, and 
 having peace with all mankind : which, certainly, all pru- 
 dent perfons ought rather to be glad of, than upbraid us on 
 account of our colonies, which we have fent into defert 
 places, for the defence of the countries, and not out of a 
 profpea of our own advantage and emolument. Thjs is 
 a proof of it ; for, having a fmall territory in refped of 
 the multitude of inhabitants, but a ftrong and united o-q- 
 vernment, having double the number of gallies that all oth'ers 
 had, and being capable of contending with double that num- 
 ber, and tho' Euboea was adjacent to Attica, and by nature 
 advantageoufly fituated for the fupremacy of the fea, and 
 excelling all other ifiands in other refpecls, we did this 
 ifland no injuflicc, and fct an example of abftinence from 
 oppreffion, when we had as much power over it, as we 
 had over our own territories. Add this likewife, that tho' 
 we well knew, how that thofe Greeks, as well as Barba- 
 rians, are moft admired, who, entirely deftroying their 
 neighbours procure thcmfelves affluence, and the liberty 
 of ail unactivc indolent life, yet nothing of this tempted 
 
 our 
 
 * , 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 73 
 
 our anceftors to a6l unjuftly by this ifland ; and we were 
 contented with lefs affluence than others enjoyed, whom 
 we had fome plea of fubjeding. Had we had avarice in 
 view, would we not have retained Scione, and not volun- 
 tarily have given it away to the Plataeans, who had fled to 
 us for fuccour ? But, I fay, we parted with the poilciTion 
 of thofe lands, which would have enriched all our city. 
 Now, after fuch an example of moderation, and fuch a 
 proof of our equity, and abftinence from others rights, 
 dare thofe accufe us, who have made themfelves opprefflve 
 officers, rendered all former injuflices done their common- 
 wealth, comparatively fmall, and left no poffibility toothers 
 of exceeding them in violence ; but, profefTing themfelves 
 lovers of the Lacedaemonian intereft, by their pradices con- 
 fute their own declarations; and, while they lament the 
 fate of the Melians, refrain not from the moft exorbitant 
 opprefflons of their own fellow-citizens. For, what in- 
 juftices have they not done ? and what infamies and cruel- 
 ties have they not perpetrated ? In fliort, what crimes, tho* 
 never of fo revolting a nature, have they abftained from ? 
 They have efteemed the rafheft and moft imprudent the! 
 faithfulleft to them, and flattered traitors and betrayers of I 
 their country, as if they were its benefadors ; and even 
 fubjeded themfelves to flaves, that they might tyrannize 
 over their citizens ; nay, have even honoured public mur- 
 derers and affaffins more than their very parents. Thefe 
 fafls are too notorious to admit of any colouring. And 
 they have infpired us all with that inhumanity, that tho', 
 before this confufion of order on account of our then hap- 
 pinefs, in the fmalleft difafters we were wont to have a 
 number of condolers and fympathizers, yet, under their 
 government, upon account of the variety of our domeftic 
 calamities, we have quite left off pitying one another; for 
 they have allowed ho one fo much leifure as to commife- 
 rate his neighbour. Whom have they not violated ? or 
 who was fo retired from public affairs, as not to fhare in 
 the common mifery, which was caufed by their barbarity ? 
 
 k Laftly, 
 
 ^ig»attu 
 
74 The ORATIONS 
 
 Laflly, Are they not afhamed, who have (o ill-governed 
 their own cities, to accufe ours of injuflice and mifnianage- 
 
 ment ? 
 
 But, moreover, they dare to objc£l to us the law-fuits 
 and fentences of court, which happened in thofe times ; 
 tho' they put to death, without a legal condemnation, in 
 three months, more than our city arraigned during all its 
 government. But, as for thebanifhments caufedby them, 
 the feditions, and confufion of all laws, the changes in 
 form of government, the infults done to youth, the viola- 
 tions of married women, and the plundering of private for- 
 tunes, what tongue or eloquence can enumerate, or ever 
 paint them in full colours ? But this I have to fay in a few 
 words, that all the injuflice and oppreiTion committed by 
 us, might be reclified by one decree ; but that it is an im» 
 polfibility ever to redrcfs the aflaflinations and crimes com- 
 mitted by them. On the contrary, who would, I will not 
 fay, accept of the prefent fort of precarious peace, but of 
 that liberty, the idea of which is preferved only in writ- 
 ings and covenants, rather than that mild public oecono^ 
 my which was obferved in our commonwealth ? Who 
 would dcHre fuch circumflanccs of public management, 
 wherein pirates are mafters of the fea, and armed foldicrs 
 feize the cities ; when citizens, inftcad of fighting with 
 unanimity againft a common enemy, are in civil broils with 
 one another, and more cities have been taken by force, and 
 cnflaved during their rule, than were before the peace ? 
 Now, on account of the frequent changes of government, 
 and thofe banifhments which are the confequcnts, all bravery 
 and fpirit feems extlnguifhed every where, and the banifhcd 
 live more contented than they who are left behind ; for the 
 latter fear futurity, and the firft hope a better turn of af- 
 fairs : and, in general, all are fo far from liberty, and the 
 free cnioyment of their native laws, that fome cities aro 
 fubjeci to tyrants, fome are governed by a fort of military 
 defpotic mafters, and others ruined to the very foundations, 
 while the Barbarians have poflcflcd thcmfelves of others. 
 Thoic Barbiirianbj I fay, whom, upon their daring to pafs 
 
 over 
 
 ^■:.: 
 
 •"Si." ■ 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 75 
 
 over into Europe, and conceive higher ideas of their power 
 than they ought in wifdom, we fo humbled, that they not 
 only willingly defifted from invading us, but fufFered their 
 own coafh to be plundered. And though they came with 
 twelve hundred fliips, yet v/e brought them to that low 
 flate, that they dared not to draw down a long {hip 
 within Phafelis, but remained quiet, waited the oppor- 
 tunities of time, and diftrufted their then condition and 
 forces. And that all this was owino; to us, the enfuino- 
 calamity of our city has fufRciently declared ; for, from the 
 time we were deprived of the fovereignty, all the misfor- 
 tunes of Greece took their fatal origin. After our lofs in 
 the Hellefpont, others being generals and admirals, the 
 Barbarians conquered by fea, and became maflers of it; 
 they feized moft of the iflands, and made a defcent upon 
 the territory of the Lacedaemonians ; they took Cythera 
 by ftorm, and, plundering and diftreiTing all Peloponnefus, 
 they failed fafel)-away again. But we fliall be beft judges 
 of the greatnefs of the public calamity, if we examine the 
 prefent treaties, and thofe which were made under us, and 
 tranfmitted down in writing ; for then we gave laws, and 
 prefcribed bounds to the Perfian monarch, orderins; certain 
 tributes, and forbidding him the freedom of the fea: but 
 he now regulates the ftates of Greece, appoints what all 
 fliall do, and almoft elects the magiftrates of each refpec- 
 tive city. Exclufive of this, what has he not obtained ? 
 Is he not the arbitrator of war ? Has he not direded the 
 terms of peace, and been moderator in all our public inte- 
 rclts ? Have we not, falFuig to him as to a fovereign prince, 
 mutually accufed one another ? Do v/e not flile him the 
 great king, as if we were in facl his captives ? Do we not, 
 in our inteftine v/ars, have rccourie to him, place our/ 
 hopes of fafcty and protection in him j in him, I fay, who 
 v/ouki willingly deftroy us all ? 
 
 Those who form a folid judgment of this, are dIA 
 pleafed with the prefent flate of things, defire again our 
 management of the public good, and refent the conduct of 
 
 ^ ^ the 
 
/ 
 
 76 The ORATIONS 
 
 the Lacedaemonians, who pretended, at the commencement 
 of the war, the common liberty of Greece, but, in the 
 conclufion, betrayed it to the Barbarians, made the loni- 
 ans defert the intereft of our city, from which they came, 
 and by which they had often been faved, and even delivered 
 them into the hands of the common enemy ; from us, I 
 fay, they withdrew them, from whom they formerly went 
 to eftablifh themfelves there, where they poflbfs the terri- 
 tory againft the Perfians will, with whom they fcarce ever 
 ceafe having war. The Lacedaemonians then refented, that 
 wefhould pretend even legally to govern thofe we had ajuft 
 authority over ; but now that they are funk into fuch a de- 
 gree of flavery, the Lacedaemonians are totally unconcerned 
 about them. Nor does it feem enough to thePerfian, that 
 they pay tribute, fee their flrong places poffeiTed by the ene- 
 my's garrifons, but, befides their public calamities, they 
 fufFer more in their bodies than our very bought flavesj for 
 no one of us treats fo inliumanely his fervants, as they do 
 ii^^ perfons. But the greateft of all miferies is, that they 
 are forced to expofe their lives in rivetting fafter their own 
 chains, to fight even againft thofe who would reftore them 
 to their liberties, and run thofe dangers, wherein, ihould 
 they fail of victory, they muft die, but, coming off vido- 
 rious, muft render their fervitude the more fevere and in- 
 evitable for the future. Of all which whom can we accufe 
 as authors, but the Lacedaemonians ? who, though they 
 have fuch great power, yet negled their allies and friends 
 under fuch deplorable circumftances, and look on with in- 
 difference, while the Barbarians ftrengthen their own em- 
 pire with the blood and bravery of the Grecians. And 
 formerly, indeed, they drove out tyrants, and affifted the 
 people; but they are now fo far changed, that they enter 
 into war with republics, and help to eftablifh monarchies. 
 In the time of peace they ruined Mantinea, feized Cad- 
 meia, the Theban fortrefs, and now they are at war with 
 the Olynthians and Phliafians: nay, they even are auxi- 
 liaries toAmyntas king of the Macedonians, Dionyfiusthe 
 
 t}Tant 
 
 
 f*-.? 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. yj 
 
 tyrant of Sicily, and the Barbarian who lords it over Afia^ 
 that they may have as great a power as pollible. And what 
 can poflibly be more abfurd, than for the chief of Greece 
 to make one man the lawlefs defpotic mafter of fo many 
 perfons as furpafs calculation ? On the contrary, hinder 
 the greateft free cities from ufmg their own laws, force them 
 to become flaves, or elfe to ilruggle with the greateft dif- 
 ftculties and lofl'es ? But what is the moft aftonifhing of all 
 is, to fee thofe who have the leading power, fighting al- 
 moft conftantly againft the Grecians, but making a perpe- 
 tual confederacy of mutual fuccours with the Perfian. Nor 
 Jet any one think I fpeak this out of enmity, becaufe I have 
 explained this in ftrong terms, tho' Ifaid I defigned thisdif^ 
 courfe as a prehminary of common concord ; for I have not 
 fpoken in this view, that I might publicly accufe the city of 
 Lacedaemon, but that, as far as lies in orator}^, I may dif- 
 fuade the Lacedaemonians from entertaining any longer the 
 fame fentiments. And it is impoffible to turn others from 
 any crimes, or perfuade them to the contrary virtues, unlcfs 
 we feverely reprehend the guilty. We ought, indeed, to 
 think thofe men accufers, who reproach us with the defign 
 of hurting us, but to efteem thofe men our monitors, 
 who do it for our advantage ; for we ought not to put 
 the fame interpretation upon the fame words, if not 
 fpoken with the fame intention: but we have jufHy to 
 blame them for this likewife, that they force their neigh- 
 bours to be flaves to their own city, yet procure nothing 
 of a hke nature for their allies. But would they once put 
 an end to all contention with us, it will be in our joint 
 power to make all the neighbouring Barbarians the flaves 
 of Greece. 
 
 Now, it certainly becomes thofe, who are by nature, and 
 not cafually, of a noble mind, to attempt the forementioneJ 
 great enterprize, and not grafp at tributes from the iflanders ; 
 fince the inhabitants of iflands ought to be the obje£^s of 
 compaflion, fmce they are obliged, by the fcarcity of Jand, 
 to plough the very mountains \ but the inhabitants of the 
 
 Afiatic 
 
Wi 
 
 78 The ORATIONS 
 
 Afiatlc continent, on account of its vaft extent, leave the 
 greateft part uncultivated: from which, notwithflanding, 
 they receive fuch variety of fruits, as render them immenfe- 
 ly rich and opulent. I rellly believe, that fhould fome in- 
 telligent ftranger come from a foreign countr)^, and fee the 
 prefent management of our public affairs, he would con- 
 demn us of folly and frenzy, who run fuch hazards for 
 fmall advantages, when we might with iafcty acquire fuch 
 affluence ; nay, defiroy our own country, when we might 
 engrofs the riches of Afia. Nor can any thing be more 
 profitable to the Perfian, than to furnifli us with perpetual 
 occafions of making war on one another : but we are fo far 
 from diflurbing his profperity and eafe, that we endeavour 
 to compofe for him thofe troubles which accidentally arife in 
 his dominions. We even fufFer him to ufe one of the ar- 
 mies in Cyprus, and befiege the other, tho' both of them 
 are compofed of Grecians ; which two armies are friendly 
 difpofed to us, and have put themfelves under the patronage 
 of the Lacedaemonians : and as for the forces under the 
 command of Tiribazus, the moft ferviceable of his infantry 
 has been raifed in thefe parts, and the greateft number of 
 feamen have failed from the coafts of Ionia ; all which 
 troops would much more willingly plunder the continent 
 of Afia, than fight with their own countrymen, for infig- 
 nificant advantages. But we blindly make no account of 
 this, contend with one another for the Cyclades, and leave 
 fuch a number of gallies andftrong powers in the hands of 
 the enemy, that with them he poflefies feme places, will 
 have others, and has defigns upon more. Thus he juftly de- 
 fpifes us for our mifcondud:, and has eft^edled what none of 
 his anceflors ever could ; for Afia is confefi!ed, both by us 
 and the Lacedaemonians, to be the king's right and property : 
 and he has fo lordly feized upon feveral Grecian cities, as 
 to demolifti fome, build fortreifes, and put garrifons into 
 others; and all this has happeiied by our improvidence and 
 i^\'j'i not his bravery and wifdom. 
 
 Some 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 79 
 
 Some admire, indeed, the grandeur of the Perfian's em- 
 pire ; fay, he is very difficult to conquer, and mention, on 
 this occafion, the revolutions which he has caufed in Greece. 
 Now I think, that thefe very men are fo far from difcou- 
 raging, that they flrongly exhort us to enter into a war 
 with him 5 for if, in the common union and frlendlliip of 
 us all, he fliould be hard to humble in the confufion of his 
 ftate, ought we not doubly to fear fuch a time, when the 
 affairs of the Barbarian fhall be fettled in tranquillity and 
 concord, and we, as at prefent, divided, and bearing hof- 
 tile difpofitions ? Though they fhould be, as I have faid, 
 of the opinion mentioned, they do not judge rationally of 
 the king's power ; but could they indeed (hew us, that, 
 in any time, he had prevailed o' t both our cities united, 
 then we fhould have even now jult caufe to fear his fupe- 
 riority. If this they cannot do, but when we were at va- 
 riance, that only then, by joining with one fide, he feemed 
 to gain a fort of glory, this, I fay, is no proof of his 
 flrength at all ; for, in fiich circumflances we muft be {tn- 
 fible, that a little change of balance caufes great alterations. 
 And I may fay this in refped of the Chians, that with which- 
 foever of us they joined, that party was fure to have the 
 command of the fea. But we are not to confider the 
 king's power as in confederacy with either of us, but when 
 he fought only with his own forces. And, firfl, in the re- 
 volt of Egypt, what did he effect againft thofe who poffeired 
 themfelves of it ? Did he not fend thither the moft re- 
 nowned of the Perfians, Acrocamas, Tithrauftes, and 
 Pharnabazus. Thefe generals, after three years ftay there,- 
 and fuffering more diftrefs than they caufed to their adver- 
 faries, were at laft forced to return {^^ fhamefully, as no^ 
 only to leave the revolters poffeflbrs of Egypt ftill, and not 
 contented with liberty, but alfo attempting to make them- 
 felves lords of the borderinq; ftates. After this, he made 
 war upon Evagoras, who is regent but of one city in the 
 ifland of Cyprus, and abandoned by our treaties: and tho* 
 Evagoras had a lofs by fca, and only three hundred fpear- 
 
 men 
 
So The O R A T I O N S 
 
 men to defend his territory, yet the Perfian has not been 
 able to get the better of fuch fmall forces, but has already 
 employed to no purpofe fix years ftrugglc. And if we may 
 conjecture of futurity by what has happened, it is more 
 probable fome others will revolt, before he can take Evago- 
 ras's city ; there arc always fuch delay and procraftination 
 in the condu6l of the king's affairs. In the wars of Cni- 
 dos, he had the afliftance of the Lacedaemonian allies, up- 
 on account of their too fevere government, as well as ours; 
 and Conon marched to him with an army, who was a moll 
 vigilant general, faithful to the Grecian intereft, and per- 
 fectly (killed in the art of war. Tho' the Perfian had fuch 
 a capable afTiftant, yet, for all this, he fufFered all the 
 naval forces of Afia to be blocked up, for three years fuc- 
 ceffively, by only three hundred gallies ; and he wronged 
 the foldiers of fifteen months pay : fo that, as far as de- 
 pended on him, they mufl have been difbanded ; and it 
 was with difficulty at laft, that he conquered, by means 
 of the confederacy of the Grecians at Corinth, formed on 
 the impending dangers. 
 
 These are the nobleft and mofl royal adions of the 
 Perfian, which fome are conftantly mentioning, who are 
 willing to extol the king's power : fo that none can juflly 
 cbjedl to me any unfair dealing, or that I do not ufe proper 
 examples, but dwell upon minure things, and omit things 
 of far greater moment ; for, avoiding this accufation, I 
 have only mentioned his moft celebrated and fplendid ex- 
 ploits. But I was not ignorant of the bravery of Dercyl- 
 lidas, who, having only a thoufand armed men, pofTefTed 
 himfelf of i^olis ; or how Draco, having taken Aterneus, 
 and getting together about three thoufand fhielded foldiers, 
 plundered and fpoiled the Myfian territory ; that Thym- 
 bron, having tranfported a fomething larger number, ra- 
 vaged all Lydia; Agefilaus, commanding the troops of 
 Cyrus, feized upon almoft all that fpace of land which lies 
 within the river Halys. We need not therefore, I fay, fear 
 the king's power, or the bravery of the Perfians 3 for it was 
 
 evident, 
 
 of 1 S o c R A T E S. 81 
 
 %Vic!cnt, by thofe who came with Cyrus, that the reft are 
 no better foldiers than thofe who inhabit near the fea. I 
 "will omit other battles in which they were worfted, and 
 fuppofe, that they w^cre divided by fedition, and unwilling 
 to do theiir utrrtoft againft the king's brother : but even af- 
 ter Cyrus's death, all the colleded powers of Afia fought in 
 fuch a fhameful manner, that they left no opportunity, no 
 room, for praifing the Perfian valour; for having furprifed 
 about fix thoufand Grecians, who were not chofen men, but 
 incapabfe of living in their own cities, on account of their 
 diforders, and ignorant likewife of the country where they 
 were; I fay, having furprifed thefe men, unaffifted by al- 
 lies, betrayed by the Perfians, deprived of their general^ 
 yet, notwithftanding fuch difadvantages, the Perfians were 
 fo infisrior to them, that the king, diftrufting the ftrength 
 of his army^ had recourfe to fraud, treacheroufly feized the 
 Grecian captains, and hoped, by this violation of laws, to 
 fpread terror in their fmall camp ; chufing rather thus to 
 ofFeml the gods, than hazard an open battle with our coun- 
 trymen : but failing in his defign, the foldiers continuing 
 together, and bearing this unexpected lofs, he fent after 
 them in their march Tiffaphernes, with the horfe ; and 
 though they were conftantly molefted by the Perfians in 
 their way, they held on their march as fecurely as if they 
 had been efcorted only; and more feared the defartnefs of 
 the country than the numbers of their enemies. The head 
 of what I have faid is, that they who fought not after 
 booty, or feized upon fome city, but marched diredly 
 againft the king himfelf, returned with greater fafety than 
 thofe who went to him under the protedion of the rights of 
 cmbafly, and propofals of friendfliip : fo that, I think, the 
 Perfians have given evident proofs, in all places, of their 
 womanifh efFcminacy. Upon the coafts, likewife, they 
 have been defeated in feveral battles ; and, having made a 
 defcent into Europe, they fufFered for their raftmefs ; for 
 fome of them perifhed, and others more fhamefully faved 
 tkemfelvesj and, finally, thofe who returned,* became ridi- 
 
 culoys 
 
82 The ORATIONS 
 
 culous in their enervate king's pompous unmanly pa- 
 lace. 
 
 Nothing of this happened without caufe, but all ac- 
 cording to the conftant nature of things ; for it is not pof- 
 fible, that men fo educated, fo governed by a vicious tyrant, 
 fliould be pofiefTed either of bravery, or any other noble 
 virtue. How can it be, that, in fuch a form of govern- 
 ' ^ ment, there fhould be a good foldier, much lefs a heroic, 
 wife, jufl, brave general ? The greateft part of them are 
 a diforderly, difiblute mob, unacquainted with the horrors 
 of death, afraid of war, and more habituated to flavery 
 than our moft abjecSt bought fervants : nay, the nobleft of 
 them, as they are called, never lived up^^; i equal, public, 
 equitable terms in their kingdom, but opprefled fome, while 
 they were the meaneft, moft abandoned flaves to others ; 
 and are men the moft corrupted that is poflible, by vice and 
 fervitude, in all nature. What grovelling wretches muft 
 j[^ fuch be,whofe very education teaches them the loweft bafe- 
 nefs, fubmifTion to ufurping cowardice ! They have indeed 
 luxurious wanton bodies by riches and intemperance, but 
 abjedl difpirited minds by fubmiftion to defpotifm ; {hewing 
 the vileft worfliip and adoration in the palace, and learn- 
 ing thus, in the fchool of cowardice and injuftice, all pof- 
 fible depravation of manly reafon : adoring, I fay, a mor- 
 tal man, and calling him a god ; defpifing the truly immor- 
 tal gods, while they fpeak, to the fhame of mankind. 
 Thus their nobles, who are fent to the fea-coafts, do not 
 belye their good inftrudlions, but pradife what they have 
 been accuftomed to. Unfaithful to their friends, and 
 cowards to their enemies ; living in the moft abandoned 
 low-mindednefs towards a monarchical idol, and with pride 
 towards their fellow-countrymen ; treating ill their allies, 
 and crouching, like fawning dogs, to a bold auverfary. 
 They maintained, indeed, the army under Agefilaus eight 
 months at their expence ; but, after it had hazarded a battle 
 for them, they defrauded the Greeks of double that pay : they 
 -gave ail mndred talents to thofe who took Chifthene, but 
 
 treated 
 
 Ml 
 
 of ISOCkATES. 83 
 
 treated thof^, who made a defcent with them into Cyprus, 
 worfe than the very captives. To exprefs myfelf in one * 
 word, whoever fought againft them refolutely, was fucefT- ^ 
 ful ; but whoever was their fubjed, led and finiftied his life 
 infamoufly. Did they not put Conon to death, who had 
 fought for them, and ruined the Lacedemonian ftate ? On 
 the contrary, did they not prefent Thucidides with the 
 moft fplendid gifts, who entirely ruined their fleet ? And 
 who would then feek their friendfhip, who ruin their friends, 
 and flatter their enemies ? What ftate of Greece have they 
 not injured ? In what period of time have they not had 
 infidious defigns againft us ? Is not every cuftom of ours 
 odious to them Who even, in the former war, dared to 
 plunder and burn the temples and fhrines of our gods : 
 and it is juft to mention here the lonians with honour, who 
 prayed for vengeance on thofe that rebuilt them, and re- 
 ftored them to their former beauty, not out of inability of 
 doing fo, but defigning the ruins to be a lafting monument, 
 to future ages, of the irreligion of the Barbarians ; that none 
 of us might ever truft to thofe who dared, in fuch an out- 
 rageous manner, to violate the feats of the gods, but be al> 
 ways upon our guard againft them, and ever be diffident of 
 them, who not only violated our bodies, but the very mo- 
 numents of our piety. I may juftly here fpeak in praife of 
 our countrymen, that, with whomfoever they had a war, 
 no fooner were hoftilities over, but they forgot all enmity* 
 yet would never ftiew a friendly inclination to the Afiatics] 
 though they courted their friendftiip with prefcnts and 
 great advantages. So juft, fo natural a refentment they 
 have againft them, that many of our forefathers have con- 
 demned perfons to death, who, they thought, favoured the 
 Medes power ; and, in public aflemblies, even now they 
 imprecate curfes upon thofe, who dare propofe to the citi- 
 zens peace with the Barbarians. The Eumolpid^ and he- 
 ralds, upon this national hatred of the Perfians, forbid 
 other Barbarians entering to celebrate the religious ceremo- 
 niesii juft as they do known murderers : nay, weLVe natu- 
 
 G 2 rally 
 
if 
 
 
 \ 
 
 v^ 
 
 S4 The ORATIONS 
 
 rally fuch a hoftile mind towards them, that we take the 
 moft pleafure in thofe fables, which relate to the Trojan 
 andPerfian affairs j becaufe we learn, by them, their cala- 
 mities. Some have made, upon account of war with the 
 Barbarians, hymns in honour of the gods ; but, upon ac- 
 count of our inteftine contentions, dirges and lamenta- 
 tions * the firft are fung in feftivals, but the latter mourn- 
 fully repeated on public difaftcrs. I really believe, Homer's 
 divine pocfy was more admired on account that he writes 
 a defcription of battles with Barbarians ; it Was, in my judg- 
 ment, this which difpofed our anccftors to make his art ho- 
 nourable in the liberal excrcifes, and in the education of 
 youth, that, by often hearing thofe poems, we might all of 
 us imbibe a native detcftation of the Barbarians ; and, at 
 the fame time kindling with the noble emulation of thofe 
 heroes who fought againft Troy, might afpire one day to 
 
 imitate their heroifm. 
 
 Wherefore, as I have before fald, numberlefs reafons 
 exhort us to make war with the Perfians ; efpecially thio^ 
 prefent opportunity, which we ought not to omit, as none 
 can be better : and it would certainly be a (hame not to take 
 advantage of it, but regret it when it is pafled. What 
 advantages can we defire in undertaking war with the king, 
 which we do not now enjoy ? Has not Egypt and Cyprus 
 revolted from him ? Phoenicia and Syria are ruined by the 
 war; nay. Tyre, which he gloried in, is now poffefTed by 
 his demies : befides, moft of the cities of Cilicia are in the 
 hands of thofe who are in our intereft, and it is not difficult 
 for us to bring over the reft to our party ; but no one of 
 the Perfians ever was mafter of Lycia : Hecatomnus, the 
 fatrape of Caria, has a long time ago, in reality, revolted 
 from the eaftern monarchy ; he will declare himfelf when- 
 ever we pleafe. From Cnidos as far as Sinope, Grecians 
 pofTefs the outfkirts of Afia ; whom we need not endeavour 
 to perfuadc to make war, but only not hinder them from 
 toafcng it. Now fuch being the favourable circumftanccs, 
 ^nd fttch a conflagration ready to furround Afia on all fides, 
 
 what 
 
 Hi 
 
 a 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 85 
 
 what difficulty is there of forming a conjeiShire of the event, 
 or what need of enlarging upon our advantages ? for if we 
 fee them far inferior to feparate parts, how can they refift, 
 if they contend with us all united ? This is the fa6l, / 
 Should the Barbarian throw greater forces into thofe cities 
 which are near the fea, than he has hitherto done, the 
 iflands adjoining to the continent muft deperid on the king's 
 power; fuch are Rhodes, Samos, and Chios: but if we 
 ftiould feize them firft, it will probably happen, that Ly- 
 dia, Phrygia, and all the adjacent parts, muft be in the 
 power of thofe who prevent the others. Therefore we 
 ought to lofe no time, to make, in fine, no delay, left we 
 fuff^r what happened formerly to our fathers ; for they, be-* 
 ing ]e(s ready than the Barbarians, and having defcrted 
 fome of their auxiliaries, were obliged, "Hough a few, to ' 
 fight againft an innumerable multitude ; at a time when, 
 by a quick defcent upon the continent with all the Grecian 
 forces, they might have fubdued, feparatcly, every one of 
 thofe nations : Tor it is evident, the policy of war requires, ^^^ 
 in the neccility of refifting, the colledled forces of a vafl 
 empire, that we (hould not wait till they are all afTembled 
 and joined, but fet upon them while they are divided and 
 difperfed ; therefore, though they committed an error at 
 iirft, yet, by their undaunted courage in danger, and by 
 their heroic a6lions, they remedied their error and indifcre- 
 tion : but if we are wife, we (hail take care in the begin« 
 ning, and difappoint the enemy, by firft forming a camp 
 near Lydia and Ionia ; for the king has not the inhabitants 
 of the continent willing fubjedts, but enflaved only by a 
 juperior prefent power : and fhould we once tranfport better 
 and ftronger troops, which, if we pleafe, we may eafily 
 do^ we may then, I doubt it not, be mafters of all Afia. 
 
 Now, certainly it is more for the honour of Greece, 
 that he fhould fight for the defence of his own capital and 
 palace, than difpute with us for univerfal monarchy : and, 
 methinks^ all ihould be animated to this expedition, that 
 this generation, which has been fufFerers by the Perfians, 
 
 G 3 (hould 
 
86 The ORATIONS 
 
 fhould indemnify, or rather reward themfelves by their 
 fpoils, and not confume their lives paffively in calamities 
 and oppreffion. Let the paft time fuffice, in which what 
 degree of mifery and diftrefs did we not fufFer ? And tho* 
 human nature is fubjedl to fuch a variety of evils, we even 
 added to this inevitable calamity, and improved all by our 
 unnatural wars and divifions : fo that many perifhed in 
 their native places by injuftice, and others wandered in fo- 
 reign parts with their wives and children ; nay, feveral were 
 forced, by their indigence, to enter into the fervice of the 
 common enemy, and fell in battle fighting againft their very 
 friends and countrymen : for which public calamities none 
 hitherto have fhewn that fuitable grief which they ought ; 
 though they will often burft into tears at a theatrical repre- 
 fentation, or the fable of a poet ; and, at the fame time that 
 they fee the terrible devaftations of war, they can look upon 
 all unconcerned, and without the emotions of a juit ratio- 
 nal commiferation : nay, many take more pleafure in their 
 countrymens mifery, than their own tranquillity. What 
 an amazing brutiflinefs and infenfibility is this I 
 
 And, perhaps, fome will even fmile at my fimplicity, 
 that I lament private miferies, at a time when Italy is ruined, 
 Sicily reduced to flavery, fo many cities furrendered to the 
 Barbarian, and all the remaining parts of Greece in the 
 cxtremeft danger. I wonder how thofe, who prefide in 
 cities, can pretend to courage and generofity, for mere felf- 
 convicSling {hame, fince they have hitherto neither dared to 
 fpeak or freely think of thefe things : certainly it became 
 men of fuch ftation, if they are worthy of their honours, 
 omitting all other concerns, to have been authors of a 
 common war againft the Barbarians, and given, to this 
 end, their united counfels : perhaps they would have pre- 
 vailed ; but had they died before the effedl, they would at 
 leaft have left their harangues as fo many oracles for pofte- 
 rity. Now, tho' they are clad with the greateft dignities 
 and honours, yet they amufe themfelves with the gratifica- 
 tion of unworthy low paiEons, and have left to fuch as us, 
 
 who 
 
 o 
 
 twnwir 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 87 
 
 who are remote from public bufinefs, the deliberation and 
 counfel about fuch a glorious, advantageous enterprize, if 
 happily conducted, and brought, by virtue and bravery, to 
 a good conclufion. The more pufillanimous, then, and>^^ 
 abjecSt-minded our minifters of ftate appear, we all of us 
 ought fo i?iuch the more emuloufly to endeavour to put an 
 end to our wild, unnatural diffenfions ; for, till this is effec- 
 tually done, we in vain would treat of peace ; we do not 
 extinguifh, but delay our wars, and we wait the opportunity 
 of doing one another fome irretrievable evil : but we ought, 
 with all care, to banifli from amongft us thefe animofities, 
 and undertake fuch defigns and actions, whereby we may 
 more fafely inhabit our own cities, and may be more bene- 
 volently difpofed among ourfelves. The reafoning necef- ^ 
 fary to prove the utility of my laft propofition, is very 
 cafy ; for it is, I fay, an impoffibility to have a lafting 
 peace, unlefs we fight, m a general alliance, againft the A 
 Barbarians; nor ever be at union among ourfelves, unlefs 
 we contract friendftiips betwixt our ftates, and enter unani- 
 moufly into war againft the Perfians. If we do this, and 
 remedy our prefent diftrefies, which are of fuch a kind as V 
 naturally diflblve amities, and fet even relations at variance; 
 and difturb all mankind with Vars and feditions ; I fay, if 
 we once do this, it cannot be otherwife but that we muft 
 be united, and have a well-cemented friendfliip and concord 
 amongft ourfelves. To this end, we muft, as foon as pof- y^ 
 fible, transfer the war to the continent : and let us, at leaft, 
 enjoy this advantage from our fatal experience of the mife- 
 ries arifmg from inteftine quarrels, that we all, as one man, 
 turn our arms upon the eaftern nations. 
 
 But fome, perhaps, will object, that, upon account of 
 treaties, we ought to be cautious, and not halten the raifing 
 an army ; fince, on account of thefe treaties, the free cities 
 look upon themfelves obliged to the king, as being by him 
 left to govern themfelves by their own laws ; and thofe 
 which are furrendered up to the Barbarians, particularly 
 accufe the Lacedaemonians, and others who have accepted 
 
 G 4 of 
 
88 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 of the peace, as if they were by their means pu{hed into 
 flavery. But let fuch tell me, why fuch a peace (hould not 
 be diflblved, whereby an opinion prevails, that the Perfian i$ 
 the patron of Greece, and the guardian of its tranquillity ; 
 and, on the contrary, that fome of our own countrymen 
 opprefs and ruin their native country. But this is the moft 
 abfurd of alJ, that we keep to the very conditions, which are 
 the moft iniquitous in thefe treaties ; for thofe agreements, 
 whereby all the iflands, as well as towns, fituated in Europe, 
 were declared free and independent, thefe have been long 
 abrogated, and exift now in vain only upon pillars. As for 
 thofe terms, which ^e an infamy to us, and have ruined 
 many of our alliesji they remain fixed, and are held facred, 
 which ought to be cancelled, and not fuiFered to continue 
 in force a day. We ought to judge them impofitions, and 
 not free agreements ; for who is ignorant, that thefe only- 
 are conventions,which are made upon equal footing betwixt 
 the two parties ? but that thefe terms are imperious com- 
 mands, which opprefs one party contrary to equity, while 
 they exalt the other : wherefore we may juftly blame thofe 
 cmbafTadors, who, commiflioned by the Greeks, made a 
 peace fo advantageous to the Barbarians ; for it became 
 them, had they judged it right, that each (hould keep their 
 own lands, and have the property of their captives, or 
 (hould pofTefs what each enjoyed in the time of the laft 
 peace ; it became them, I fay, to have defined one or other 
 of thefe things with impartiality, and made the treaties 
 accordingly. Now, they have confulted neither the honour 
 of ours, or the city of Lacedaemon j but have conftituted 
 the Perfian lord of all Afia, as if we had been fighting for his 
 advantage, and as if the Perfian empire had been founded 
 of old, but we had only of late inhabited our cities ; and 
 not according to tnith, as if they had but lately acquired 
 this honour, but we had, in every age, the precedency in 
 Greece. I believe I (hall demonftrate bed, in the following 
 manner, the indignity done us, and the encroachment of 
 tW Barbarians : The whole world being divided into two 
 
 parts, 
 
 y 
 
 ^ 
 
 k 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 89 
 
 parts, the one Afia, and the other Europe, he has acquired, 
 by convention, the half, as (baring the globe with Jupiter, 
 and not having it allowed by the covenants of men: he has 
 oblif^ed us, after having engraved them on ftone-pillars, to 
 fix thefe infamous treaties in our public temples, a nobler' 
 trophy than is eredled for a viftory : fuch trophies are often 
 raifed for inconfiderable actions, or one event of war; but 
 thefe monuments are fo many public aflertions of his fupe- 
 periority in the whole war, and over all Greece, Certainly 
 we ought to rcfent fuch a glaring injury, meditate how we 
 may take revenge, and prevent fuch abufes for the future ; 
 for it is a fhame to have the Barbarians as flaves in our 
 houfes, and fufFer fo many friends and allies to be enflavedj 
 by them. Thofe who fought in the Trojan war, on ac-- 
 count of the rape of one woman, were fo inflamed with 
 refentment, that they would not defift, till they had levelled 
 the city of the ravifher with the duft, and left not a mark 
 of its fituation ; but we are fo far from fuch a noble cou- 
 rage, that though all Greece has been ignominioufly in- 
 jured, yet we have taken no public vengeance, though wc 
 might have fuch fuccefs in the enterprize, as we ourfelves 
 could wi(h in retaliation ; for a war with the Perfians is 
 the only war more eligible than peace, and would be more 
 like an agreeable fpedacle thjin a military expedition: it 
 would likewife be advantageous to both forts of Grecians, 
 both thofe who delight in peace, and thofe who love a£lioa 
 and war j for the firft might moft fecurely, by this means, 
 enjoy their pofFeflions, and the latter amafs riches and plenty 
 by the fpoil of the Barbarians. 
 
 If any one will make a ferious refle£lion upon what I 
 have faid, and turn his thoughts on all fides, he will find 
 fuch condu£l the moft beneficial for our country ; for, in 
 the firft place, againft whom would fuch make war, who 
 are above injuftice, 'and have nothing butreafon and equity 
 in their view ? Would it not certainly be againft thofe, 
 who have frequently oppreffed Greece, are now forming 
 j>ernicious defigns againft it, and were always in the fame 
 
 difpo- 
 
 ] 
 
(^ The ORATIONS 
 
 J difpofition ? Again, Whom is it juft for thofe who are 
 not cowards, though they would make war with modera- 
 tion, to envy, but fuch as aiTume to themfelves more than 
 human power and honours, though they are unworthy of 
 an equal degree of happinefs with our diftreiTed country- 
 men ? Againft whom, I fay, Qught thofe to bear arms, 
 who either regard religion and piety towards the gods, or 
 utility and their own emolument and advantage ? Is it not 
 againft fuch as are naturally enemies, the haters of our 
 country and its laws, and, at the fame time poflefs thofe 
 enormous riches, which they dare not bravely to defend ? 
 Are they not, upon all thefe accounts, worthy of our ut- 
 moft profecution ? Certainly they are. Nor fhall we dif- 
 Irefs any of our cities, by raifing forces in them, which 
 was an odious undertaking, and juftly, in our civil wars ; 
 for I fhink thofe will be fewer, who chufe to ftay at home, 
 than thofe who will be eager to join in the expedition. 
 Who is too young, or too old, who would not be glad to 
 have a (hare in an expedition, conducted by the Athenians 
 and Lacedaemonians, for the liberty of all our countrymen 
 and allies, while Greece is united to take revenge on the 
 cruelties of the Barbarians ? Now, what everlafting fame 
 and glory muft thofe who furvive, or thofe that die, obtain, 
 that behave with the greateft bravery in fuch a noble enter- 
 prize ? For if thefe who took revenge on Paris, and over- 
 threw one city, received fuch extraordinary praife, what 
 encomiums may they hope for, who fhall conquer all Afia ? 
 Is there a poet, or an orator, who will not lal^our, who 
 will not do his utmoft, by his eloquence and knowledge, to 
 (hew both his own exalted fentiments, and immortalize fuch 
 heroic valour and virtue ? 
 
 I OWN, I have not the farfte thought I had in the begin- 
 ning of this oration : I imagined then, that I could fpeak 
 worthily of my fubjedl ; but I am now fenfible I cannot 
 equal its dignity, and that many things have efcaped me, 
 that fhould have been mentioned. You therefore fhould 
 confider, as well as I do, what great happinefs we fhall be 
 
 poficfTed 
 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 
 
 9» 
 
 
 ^msS 
 
 
 pofiefled of, if we change our inteftine wars into a noble ^ 
 war againft the Afiatics, and transfer their riches and luxu- ' 
 rious plenty into Europe : I fay, we fhould believe this, 
 nor, after hearing this oration, go away unconcerned ; but 
 whoever amongft us are capable, fhould do their utmoft to 
 reconcile Athens and Lacedaemon : and all orators fhould 
 defift from other trifling harangues about the concerns of 
 private life, and endeavour to enflame their countrymen 
 with more heroic fentiments than I have in the prefent difl 
 courfe, with which I have entertained this afTembly ; judg- 
 ing it beneath truly learned men, and afFedlionate to their 
 country, to make fuch harangues, as will not better the flate 
 and lives of their hearers, but fuch whereby the prefent 
 public diftrefs will be remedied, and they become autfiorsof 
 the greateft national happinefs. 
 
 r 
 
 THE 
 
'/ 
 
 THE FIFTH 
 
 O R A 1 I 
 
 N 
 
 O F 
 
 IS O CRATES 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 King PHILIP 
 
[95] 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 » 
 
 n^HERE are two chief parts of this oration : 
 thefrjy as in the Panegyric, has in 'view 
 the reconciliation of the Grecian cities ; the other , 
 a common expedition againji the Barbarians, "the 
 praife of Philip is but acceffory, as inducive to 
 inter eji him infuch a glorious enterprise , being 
 the properejl perfon to cemejit all parties in amity ^ 
 end conduct the united forces of Greece. 
 
 \ \ 
 
 T" 3 ! 
 
 \ 
 
 THE FIFTH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates, 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 i^^ 
 
 King PHILIP. 
 
 WONDER not, O Philip! that I draw not the 
 exordium of this difcourfe from my prefent 
 fubjea, and defigned oration, but from that 
 difcourfe which was written before, on account of Amphi- 
 polis. Let me premife a few words, that I may (hew to 
 you and others, how it was not out of imprudence, or a 
 fickly fancy, occafioned by my ill ftate of health, that I 
 have prefumed to fend you this oration ; but for folid rea- 
 fons, and after mature confideration : for having obferved 
 the war which happened betwixt you and our city, on ac- 
 count of Amphipolis, to have been the caufe of many ca- 
 lamities, I endeavoured to fpeak in fuch a manner con- 
 cerning this city, and the adjacent country, as none of your 
 friends, or our orators, have done before me, but in as dif- 
 ferent a method as poflible. They exhorted both to war, in 
 compliance with your inclinations : I have not touched 
 at all upon things lefs evident, and in difpute ; but I have 
 omitted none of thofe reafons which I thought the moft con- 
 ducive to peace, and a mutual good underftanding betwixt 
 both ftates, proving, that you both equally miftake your 
 real intereftsj that you are fighting for our advantage, and 
 
 we 
 
^6 The ORATIONS 
 
 JVC to cncreafe your power. It is indeed your advantage 
 to have an authority in the neighbouring region, but not 
 ptudence in us to take this city by force : and, methinks, I 
 have fo handled thefe topics, that none will fo much praife 
 this oration> upon account of the purity and accuracy of, 
 the ftilej as fom<i have been accuftomed to do my other 
 orations ; but they will more efteem the folid reafons and 
 matters of (z£k inferted in it, whereby I make it evidfent| 
 Aat there is no pofTibility of putting an end to our unhappy 
 contentions, unlefs you yourfelf becomfe convinced, that 
 the friendihip of Our city is of more value than any re* 
 venues which can arife to you from the pofleflion of Am- 
 phipolis i and urtlefs oUr city be once perfuaded, that they 
 ought not to be defirous of making fuch colonies, where the 
 inhabitants have three or four times fucceffively been ruined; 
 but pitch upon thofe places, which are removed from all 
 fuch as may opprefs them, but near to fuch as are accuf- 
 tomed to flavery. In fuch a place the Lacedaemonians 
 eftablifhed a colony at Cyrenae. Now, I hope, I fhall not 
 fail of my prefent defign, if you are perfuaded, that tho' in 
 words you furrender the city to us, yet you will fiill, in fa6^^ 
 be mailer of it, and gain our perpetual friendfhip befidcs ; ^ 
 for you will have as many hoftages of our friendfhip, as 
 we fhall fend perfons from hence into the neighbourhood of 
 your kingdom. I will endeavour to pcrfuade our multitude 
 to believe, as they fhould, that if we take Amphipolis, we 
 fhall flill be as much obliged to keep up a good underfland- 
 ing with you, and favour all your defigns, upon account of 
 our citizens there, as we were obliged to maintain a cor* 
 refpondence with Medocus in old times, upon account of 
 our hufbandmen in the Cherfonefus. Such being the rea- 
 fons I propofed to my fellow-citizens, towards an amicable 
 accommodation, all that heard them hoped, that, fhould my 
 difcourfe be difperfed, we fhould compofe our prefent diffe- 
 rences, and, with emulation, confult fome common good. 
 Wherefore, whether they judged prudently thus or not, I 
 think it is but jufl they fhould be refponfible themfelves for 
 
 me. 
 
 \ 
 
 oflSOCRATES. gf 
 
 tt*. While I had my thoughts employed about this defign, 
 you both prevented me, before I had flhifhed my difcourfe^ 
 by concluding a peace with great and laudable prudence ; 
 for, upon any terms, peace was better for both, than thofe 
 calamities which both were diflrefl'ed with by fo deflruaive 
 a war. Being on this occafion filled with joy^ for the ra- 
 tification of a wifhed-for peace, and judging it would not 
 only be beneficial to us, but to all Greece, I could not defifl 
 entirely from my firfl defign ; but I refolved to confider the 
 method of making our happinefs lafling, and thereby pre- 
 vent our city from breathing but a fmall time, in order to 
 re-commence again the fame fcenes of confufion. Reflecl- 
 ing, as I faid, upon fuch a method, I found it would be in 
 vam to hope Athens would Jong continue quiet, unlefs the 
 chief cities of Greece, being united, and forgetting all en- 
 mity, fhould transfer the war into Afia, and there endea. 
 vour to gain by valour all thofe rewards of bravery, which 
 they have fo long cruelly fought for in their own country. 
 And though I have treated of the fame fubjea in my ora- 
 tion called the Panegyric, yet, judging I could never find 
 out a nobler hypothefis, nor more recommended by novel- 
 ty, or conducive to public, univerfal good, I have refolved 
 to attempt the fame topic once more ; tho' I am not igno* 
 rant of my own circumftances, and that fuch an oration 
 does not fo well fuit with a perfon of my advanced age, but 
 rather requires a perfon in the very blofTom and vigour of 
 life, and who furpafTes others in the excellency of his ge- 
 nius. Add to this, I am thoroughly fenfible of the difficulty 
 of writing twice upon the famefubjea; efpecially whenmy 
 former publifhed difcourfe has been fo diligently laboured, 
 that my very rivals, though they envy, imitate it, and, in 
 fadl, admire it more than thofe who beflow on it the mofl 
 exaggerated praifes: but, taking courage under all thefe dif- 
 advantages, I am fo inflamed, in my old age, with the love 
 of glory, as to entertain the hope of making it clear both to 
 thofe who fpeak with you, and thofe who converfe with me 
 as difciples, that to 4>€ noify in public afTemblies, and ha- 
 
 H ranguc 
 
98 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 rangue a gathered multitude, is at beft but talking to Ac 
 wind : f(K fuch orations are juft as vain as thofe idle laws 
 and forms of government, which have been invented bf 
 dreaming fophifts and philofophers. But it becomes thofe, 
 who would not trifle to no purpofe, but efFea fome good, 
 and benefit the public, to let others make popular harangues, 
 while they pitch upon fome perfon capable of putting in 
 praaice their advice, who can enforce it by their eloquence 
 and actions j I fay, they ought to chufe out fuch a one, if 
 they can find any pofTelTed of this exalted excellence: 
 Which I being fenfible of, chofe to dired my difcourfe to 
 you; not feeking to model it with a view of gaining yout 
 favour, which, notwithftanding I own, I fbould fetajuft 
 and hif'h value on ; but my true reafen was, becaufe I faw 
 many of great capacity living in fuch republics, and under 
 fuch fevere laws, that they could aa nothing, but by or- 
 ders ; befides, I faw them unequal to the tafk of fuch an 
 arduous undertaking, as I fliall mention ; while I perceived 
 you invefted with an abfolute power of fending embafTadors 
 to whom ymi pleafed, and admitting them with the fame 
 freedom, as well as declaring, without the leaft reftraint, 
 your wifeft fentiments. Befides, I am confcious, that you' 
 furpafs all the Grecians in power and riches, which fuperio- 
 rity is particularly |fi-opcr for perfuafion or compulfion ; and 
 I am equally conviiKcd, that what I (hall fay,will i>eed both, 
 before it can be executed : for it is my purpofe to exhort 
 you to reconcile the Greeks, and head them, as general, 
 againft the Barbarians- To perfuade you to head the com- 
 mon army, is certainly to defer to you the highefl honours, 
 and to engage my country in a war with Afia, is evidently 
 to confult the public good. The whole fcope of my ora- 
 'tion, then, is thefe two points. 
 
 I SHALL not here conceal from you, that fome of my 
 friends have given me fome trouble upon this fubjca ; and 
 I think it will not be foreign to my purpofe. I no fooner 
 told them, that I defigned to fend you an oration, that 
 would not be a mere difplay of eloquence, or an encomium 
 
 of 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. gf^ 
 
 *f your paft wars (for others will be forward enough to do 
 this), but an exhortation to nobler and more glorious ac- 
 tions, and worthier of, as well as more beneficial to you, 
 than thofe you are now engaged in, but they were fo a* 
 mazed, that they gave me openly to underftand, that they 
 were afraid left I was become delirious by age j and, what 
 they had never done before, began to reproach me for un- 
 dertaking a rafh, thoughtlefs enterprize, to give my private 
 advice to Philip 5 who, fbould he formerly have imagined 
 fome other prudenter than himfelf, muft certainly, after fuch 
 great fuccefsful aaions, believe none now fo capable of a 
 folid judgment, in public affairs, as himfelf. Befides, con* 
 tinued they, there are conftantly with him the wifeft Mace* 
 donians, who, tho' they fhould not be fo experienced in 
 fome things, yet muft furely be allowed to know better than ' 
 you what is moft conducive to his intereft and glory. There 
 are likewife, at his court, many Grecians of diftinguifhed 
 abilities, by communicating his fentiments with whom, he 
 has not leflTened his kingdom, but enlarged it in a manner 
 iporthy of his wifhes. What has he failed of? Has he not 
 fo humbled and brought over to his intereft the Thefla- 
 lians, who formerly ruled over the Macedonians, that 
 they have more confidence in him than their own country- 
 men ? As for the neighbouring citie<^, has he not made 
 fome of them his auxiliaries, by his kincj aaions and gaitc. 
 rofity, and erafcd others, who obftinately oppofed him f 
 Has he not conquered the Magnefians, the Perrebrci, and 
 the Paeonians, and taken them under his proteaion and 
 obedience ? Is he not become lord and mafter of all the 
 Illyrians, except thofe who inhabit the Adriatic coaft ? Has 
 he not conftituted governors in Thrace, whom he pkafed ? 
 Will not fuch a potentate, who has performed fuch won- 
 ders^ condemn the folly of that perfon, who will fend him 
 a pamphlet, and think he neither knows the power of 
 eloquence, or of his own genius ? What my furprize 
 was, when I firft heard this, and what my anfwers, when 
 I had a little recolleaed myfelf, I fhall omit here, left 
 
 H 2 I fhould 
 
100 The b R A T I O N S 
 
 I fhould feem to feek my own praife •, for having confuted 
 them with civility ; having made them thoroughly fenfiblc 
 of their miftalce (for fo I judged), who had at firft blamed 
 me, I promifed them, that I would fhew my oration to 
 them alone of all our citizens, and would do nothing in 
 this refpecl, but by their advice. Having heard this an- 
 fwcr, they left me, I know not with what resd fentiments ; 
 but, in a few days, they came to me again, and I having 
 fini/hed the difcourfe, (hewed it to them. On a fudden they 
 were fo changed, that they feemed alhamed of their former 
 reafoning and reprehenfion of my defign : they acknow- 
 ledged, that they had never been fo miftaken in a thing of 
 fuch confequence ; and, upon this, exhorted me to fend you 
 as foon as poffible this oration. They added, that they 
 hoped, that you and our city would have a fenfe of gratitude 
 to me ; nor only you, but all Greece, for fuch a noble 
 intention. For tHis reafon, I have faid fo much by way of 
 preface to you, that, if any thing in the beginning fhouI(J 
 appear either not credible, impoflible, or unworthy of your 
 undertaking, you might not be averted from reading the 
 reft, nor indulge the fame precipitancy as my acquaintance; 
 but wait the conclufion with an equitable attention ; .for I 
 hope to fay what becomes me, and will be advantageous to 
 you, as welt as glorious. But I am not ignorant, how far 
 Si difcourfe, that is read, falls fhort of one that is heard, in 
 the eificacy of perfuafion ; yet it is by no means true, what 
 fome pretend, that the latter fort of difcourfes have in view 
 fome generous and urgent actions, but the firft have only 
 oftentation, and a profpecl of reward. The difadvantagc 
 tho* of a read difcourfe is certainly great; for when an ora- 
 tion is deprived of the authority of the fpcaker, of his 
 voice, the frequent popular emotions on thefe occafions, 
 likewife of the crifis of time, and the public zeal for the 
 undertaking, while nothing is affifting or ftrengtheningthe 
 argument; when an oration, I fay, is ftripped of all thefe 
 circumftances, and only read with an even voice, without 
 affedion^ and the diftindtion of the writer's zeal and cha- 
 
 raderj 
 
 • "'ii 
 
 
 
 " f , 
 
 I '^ ■ 
 
 ■-V-. 
 
 Ii 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 101 
 
 racier ; I fay, in this cafe, it is no wonder, if a well-written 
 difcourfe appears flat, and no ways interefting to the hearers. 
 Which prejudice muft affed my prefent oratic>n, and ren- 
 der it of lefs weight and authority. Nor have I ornamented 
 it fo much as ufual with figurative didion and numbers, 
 which I ufed in my youth, and ftiewed others, by example, 
 how they might, at the fame time, make their difcourfes 
 both more agreeable and perfuafive ; which, by reafon of 
 my age, I cannot now effea. But it will be fufficient, 
 perhaps, if I explain my reafons with perfpicuity : and I 
 judge indeed, that it becomes you to negledl all the reft, 
 and only attend, in a harangue, to the folidity of the mo- 
 tives ; for, by this means, you will beft judge of the utility 
 of our difcourfes, if you ftop not at the difficulties in the 
 writings of fophifts, and the difadvantages of a reader, but, 
 upon a thorough knowledge, weigh the truth and reafons 
 of a difcourfe, and not do fo flightly, or with a weak at- 
 tention, but with the jufteft prudence and logical philofophy, 
 which, they fay, you are well acquainted with ; for, exa- 
 mining our writings in this manner, you will judge better 
 of them than by popular opinion. I here conclude all I 
 have to fay by way of preface, and now I fhall proceed to 
 the fadls, and fubjedt of my difcourfe. 
 
 I SAY, you ought to negled neither your own interefts 
 or glory, but endeavour to reconcile, as a common friend, 
 the cities of Argos, Lacedaemon, Thebes, and Athens ; for 
 if you once effedt this, I believe, you will have little diffi- 
 culty of bringing the reft to a good underftanding : for all 
 are dependent on thefe, and have recourfe to fome one of 
 them for fuccours, when they are afraid, or diftrefted ; fo 
 that if you happily reconcile four cities only, you free all 
 the reft from dreadful calamities. You will find, that you 
 ought to defpife none of them, if you confider their ac- 
 tions towards your anceftors ; for you will perceive, in 
 each of them, a great friendfliip for your houfe, and a great 
 many benefits previous to any obligations : for Argos is your 
 country, which you ought, in juftice, to make the fame 
 
 H 3 account 
 
 
102 The ORATIO^^S 
 
 account of as of your own parents. The Thebans honour 
 the head of your family with revenues and facrifices above 
 all the other gods ; and the Lacedaemonians have committed 
 their kingdom and government to his pofterity, for all fuc- 
 ceffive generations. Now they fay, that our city (if we 
 will believe antient hiftory) was the caufeof Hercules's im- 
 mortalization (which you muft have heard of, but it is not 
 a place here for me to prove its truth), and the fafety of his 
 children ; for Athens alone, hazarding the greateft dangers 
 againft the forces of Euryftheus, put a flop to his injuftice, 
 and freed Hercules's defcendents from a perpetual fucceflion 
 of dangers ; for which prefervation there was certainly a juil 
 gratitude due to us not only from thofc who were Ln that 
 time faved, but from thofe now living ; for it is by us they 
 live, and enjoy all their profperity : and, had not their an- 
 ceftors been faved by us, they themfelves could never have 
 ' had an exiftence. And fmce all the cities have been fuch 
 towards you, you ought carefully always to have avoided 
 every difference with them : but it is too natural for us all 
 to commit errors, oftner than do perfedlly jufl and wife ac- 
 tions. What has happened before, vv^e ought not to impute 
 to any particular, but take the utmofl care that nothing of 
 a like nature happen for the future. And it becomes you 
 to confider by what generous adlions done thofe cities, you 
 may feem to behave towards them worthily of yourfelf, and 
 their dcferts in your regard. You have now the opportu- 
 nity ; for if youfhew your gratitude, all will think (upon 
 account of the long intervening time), that you confer 
 on them unmerited favour ; and it is glorious to be judged 
 the benefador of great cities, and, at the fame time, no- 
 ways prejudice yourfelf, but do yourfelf an equal good. 
 Befides other advantages, you will likewifc gain this, that, 
 if you have ever given any of them umbrage, you will, by 
 this means, the mod eificacioufly dllTipate it : for prefent 
 generoHs actions will eafily induce an oblivion of our 
 former mutual offences : and, befides, it is certain, ^that 
 all men have the liveliefl memory of thofe good deeds, 
 
 which 
 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. lojf 
 
 which are done them in any great adveifity. You fee 
 clearly what they have fufFered by war, and in how near a 
 cafe they were to thofc of private, fighting perfons ; for 
 fuch, when their mutual refentments are high, it is out 
 of the power of any one to reconcile : but when they have 
 difabled each other, tho' no one intervenes to compofe the 
 quarrels, they themfelves put an end to their broils; which, 
 I believe,will be the cafe of thefe cities, if you take them not 
 under your confideration. Perhaps fome perfons will re- 
 prehend my afTertions, and affirm, that I advifeyou to un- 
 dertake impoffibilities ; that, in fa6t, neither the Argives . 
 can ever become fmcere friends to the Lacedaemonians, nor 
 the Lacedaemonians to the Thebans, nor any of thofe who 
 have always been accuflomed to encroach upon their neigh- 
 bours, be content with an equality with their countrymen. 
 I own, wlien our city had the pre-eminency, and after- 
 wards the Lacedaemonians, I own, I did not think any 
 thing of this nature could be executed ; for either of them, 
 would have eafily difappointed the beft concerted counfels : 
 but I have not the fame fentiments of our public affairs 
 now ; for I perceive all are equalled by their misfortunes : 
 fo that I judge they will be ready to embrace a common 
 good from concord, rather than the advantages of injuflicc 
 from a6lions of a like nature with their former. I readily 
 alfo acknowledge, that no other but you can reconcile the(5j 
 cities, but that this tafk is not difficult for you; on the con- 
 trary, it is very eafy : for I fee, that you have effedledmany 
 things, which mofl men thought impoffible ; fo that it is 
 not improbable, but that you can bring this enterprize to a 
 happy conclufion. Now, it certainly becomes thofe who 
 excel, and have exalted ideas, to undertake fuch defigns, 
 which the lower clafs of mankind are not capable of, but 
 fuch as exceed the abilities of others, who have neither your 
 genius nor power. I wonder that any will afTert, that this 
 undertaking is impradlicable j they mufl be very ignorant, 
 if they neither know this, nor have heard it from others, 
 that, when any calamitous wars have happened, thofc, who 
 
 H 4 mutually 
 
i04 The ORATIONS 
 
 mutually put an end to them, were the caufes of inexprcl^ 
 fible good to all parties. What can be imagined greater 
 than the hatred all Greece had of Xerxes ? and yet, after* 
 wards, both we and the Lacedaemonians (hewed him more 
 affe£l:ion than we did to thofe very perfons who helped to 
 cftabliih both our republics. But I need not, methinks, 
 mention antient tranfadions, or fuch as relate to the 
 Barbarians ; for if we caft an c)t back, and confider all the 
 variety of public difafters, none of them will be found to 
 have happened to us, comparable to thofe caufed by the 
 Thebans and Lacedaemonians ; but, neverthelefs, when the 
 Lacedaemonians raifed an army againft the Thebans, with 
 a defign of defolating Boeotia, and ruining its cities, by 
 our interpofition they were fruftrated of their defigns; and 
 ivhen again circumftances were fo changed, that the The- 
 bans and all the Peloponnefians confpired to ruin Sparta, 
 we alone, of all Greece, aflifting them, were the caufe of 
 its prefervation. Now, a perfon muft be very imprudent, 
 if, after confidering fuch variety of accidents, and that our 
 cities have fet light by hatred, violation of oaths, &c. nor 
 regarded any thing elfe but what they imagine conducive to 
 their private views ; I fay, a perfon muft be very impru-» 
 dent to think they do not continue in the fame fentiments 
 now ; but that, if you will interpofe by your mediation, 
 they will eafily liften to a general reconciliation ; efpecially 
 fince their prefent calamities almoft oblige them to fuch an 
 accommodation : I judge therefore, that fuch circumftances 
 concurring, this defign may be eafily efFeded. Now, I 
 likewife imagine, that you may b^ft acquaint yourfelf with 
 the peaceful or contrary difpofition of the Grecian cities, 
 if we examine not lightly, nor yet too accurately, the con- 
 dition of their refpedtive ftates, but the moft important of 
 the prefent circumftances. 
 
 Let us firft confider the Lacedaemonian ftate : It is not 
 long fince they, who governed all Greece, met with fuch an 
 unexpected change, after their defeat at Leudrae, that they 
 entirely loft the principality of Qre^ce : they were then 
 
 deprived 
 
 I . ?«,;§»* 
 
 ft 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S; 105 
 
 deprived of fuch noble-minded citizens, as rather chofe to 
 die than furvive the lofs of power, and be fubjed to thofe 
 they had governed. Add to this, that, tho' they were ac- 
 cuftomed to fee the Peloponnefians always aggrefling others 
 along with them, they now faw them making, with th« 
 Thebans, an incurfion into their own lands ; whom they 
 were obliged to fight with, not on account of their fruits, 
 but of their very city and palace, and in defence of their 
 very wives and children ; and, had they been worfted there, 
 they muft have entirely periftied : and tho' they conquered, 
 yet they were not freed from mifery ; but are now attacked 
 by their very borderers ; they are diftrufted by all the Pelo- 
 ponnefians 5 they are hated by the generality of Greece^ 
 and they are plundered and robbed night and day by their 
 own flaves: nor have they any intermiilion, but are either 
 levying forces, or fighting againft fome neighbour, or elfe 
 aflifting their own countrymen, that daily perifli. And 
 what is the dreadfulleft calamity is, that they are always in 
 fear left the Thebans, making a compofition with the Pho- 
 cenfes, ftiould return again into their country, and do them 
 more damage than they even did at their firft invafion. 
 And how can we imagine, but that perfons, in this mife- 
 rable fituation, will eagerly embrace the authority of a per- 
 fon, who is capable of commanding a peace, and putting 
 an end to thefe prefent calamitous wars. You may like- 
 wife perceive the Argives to be in very near the fame cir- 
 cumftances as the Lacedaemonians, and, in fome refpe6ts, 
 in a worfe fituation ; for' ever fince they have inhabited 
 their city, they have continual wars and contentions with 
 their neighbours : but there is this remarkable difference to 
 be noted, that the Lacedaemoriians commonly fought againft 
 their inferiors, but the Argives had to ftruggle with their 
 fuperiors ; which muft be allowed by all to be the moft mi- 
 ferable of all calamities. Add, that they are fo unfortu- 
 nate, as to fee almoft annually their country laid wafte and 
 plundered of its products : and what is an aggravation of 
 their miferies is, that, when the enemy retires and leaves 
 
 them. 
 
td6 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 tkemy they perfecute one another, and deftroy the richcft 
 and Dioft diftinguifhcd amongft them ; and when they have 
 A)nc this, they rejoice as much as others, when they have 
 Yanquiihcd their enemies. Now, nothing is the caufe of 
 their confufion, but war ; which if you put an end to, you 
 UMt only recover them from this gulf of miferies, but ren« 
 ifer them capable of a better regulation in all other refpeds. 
 As for the Theban affairs, you are perfectly acquainted 
 wkh them ; for tho' they gained a glorious vidory, and ac- 
 ^red a high reputation, yet, upon account of the mifufc 
 0i their advantages, they are in no better a condition than 
 tibe conquered and unfuccefsful ; for they had no fooner 
 conquered their enemies, but, negleding al! things, they 
 liifhirbed the cities of Peloponnefus, dared even to enflavc 
 Theffaly, and threatened the Megarenfes their neigh- 
 bours : they deprived our city of a part of its territory, and 
 Jaidwafte all Eubcea; nay, they fent gallies to Byzantium, 
 as if they deiigned to rule both by fea and land. Laftly, 
 they made war upon thePhocenfes, expeding foon to pof- 
 fefe thcmfclves of all the cities and neighbouring country, 
 2nd fiirpafs the money repofited at Delphi in their private 
 cxpences ; nothing of which did they bring to a conclufion : 
 bttt, before they could take the Phocenfian cities, they loft 
 tiieir own ; and, making an incurfion upon their enemy's 
 foil, they fuffered more diflrefs, before they got back again, 
 than they caufed to their opponents. In Phocis they killed, 
 indeed, a few mercenaries, who ought to chufe death ra- 
 ther than life; but, retreating, they loft the braveft and 
 moft refolute of all their troops, which dared to die in their 
 country's caufe : and, in fine, their conduct has concluded 
 in this, that, after hoping to have rendered themfclves 
 mafters of Greece, now they place all their confidence of 
 fafety in your prote6lion ; fo that I no ways doubt but they 
 will moft readily follow your orders. 
 
 It would now rema'm for me to fpeak of our city ; but, 
 being early wifer than others, it has already made peace. I 
 likewife no ways call in queftion, but it will readily fecond 
 
 your 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 107 
 
 *your defigns in the public caufe; efpecially if it fees, that 
 you eftabliflj a general concord, before you make war on 
 the Barbarians : wherefore, that it is not impoffible for you 
 to unite thefe cities by alliance, I think, is evident by what 
 I have already mentioned. 
 
 Now, that you may eafily effedl this, I do not doubt but 
 I can make clear by inconteftable precedents and examples ; 
 for if it IS certain, that feveral of our anceftors undertook 
 neither more glorious or juft adions, than thofe which I 
 have advifed you to, and overcame greater obftacles and dif- 
 ficulties than are in your way, what can my adverfaries 
 have to fay, that you ftiould not fooner effect what is ea- 
 fier, than thev did more arduous and unpromifing enter- 
 prizes ? Let us, if you pleafe, firft confider the anions of 
 Alcibiades ; for he, falling into difgrace with our citizens, 
 and perceiving, that thofe before him, who met with the 
 like misfortune, was, as it were, thunder-ftruck with the 
 power of the city, refolved not to fink under the fame de- 
 fpair, but thought it became him to attempt his return by 
 force, and he chofe, rather than fubmit, to make war againft 
 it. To mention ever)' tranfa£lion of that time, and de- 
 fcend to particulars, would perhaps exceed any one's abi- 
 lity ; or, could it be done, would be irkfome : in a word, 
 he caufed incredible diforder in our city, and great diftrefs 
 and mifery to the Lacedaemonians, and the reft of Greece* 
 As for our city, all know what we fuffered ; and the 
 reft of Greece had fuch a ftiare of calamities, that, I be- 
 lieve, the dreadful confequences of that public and univer- 
 fal (hock are not yet obliterated. As for the Lacedaemo- 
 nians, who then flourifhed, and had great authority, they, 
 by his means, fell into their prefent misfortunes ; for, by 
 his perfuafion to affea the fovereignty at fea, they loft even 
 their leading power upon land : fo that whoever affirms, 
 that they may juftly date all their lofles from that time, 
 when they afiumed authority upon the fea, will be found to 
 fpeak nothing contrary to truth and experience. Alcibia- 
 jks, therefore, having been the caufe of fuch public cala- 
 mities. 
 
2o8 The ORATIONS 
 
 mities, returned to Athens, praifed indeed by Tome exce(^ 
 dvelyj but not (o by all. Conon, not many years after, 
 did what was fimilar to this ; for, meeting with a defeat in 
 a fea-fight at the HeJlefpont, not by his own mifmanage- 
 ixient, but on account of the joint-commiflioned ofEcers, 
 he was afhamed to return home : but, faihng into Cyprus, 
 he continued there fome time to fettle his private affairs, and 
 iinderflanding that Agefilaus was g6ne into Afia with great 
 forces, and wafled the countiy, he entertained this elevated 
 hope, that, tho' he had nothing to depend upon but himfelf, 
 and his great genius, he ftill believed he might humble the 
 Lacedaemonians, who then gover- ei the Grecians both 
 hy fea and land. He fent his propofals to the Perfian gene- 
 rals, and promifed to efFecl the Lacedaemonians overthrow. 
 I need not fay more herej for he get together^ by this 
 means, a fleet near Cnidos, conquered in a fca-battle, de- 
 pofed the Lacedaemonians, deflroyed their ufurped autho- 
 rity, and freed the Itates of Greece : nor did he only re- 
 build the walls of his native city, but he reflored it to its 
 former fplendor, and renewed its antient magnificence and 
 liberty. Who would have imagined, that, by this man, 
 once in Co low a condition, all the face of afFairs fhould be 
 entirely changed throughout all Greece j that fome of the 
 cities (hould be ignominioufly reduced, and others raifed and 
 exalted in power and dignity ? And Dionyfius (for I would 
 pcrfuade you by many examples) prove , that what I advife 
 you to, is not difficult for you ; for tho' he was no ways dif- 
 tinguifhed in Syracufe by his family, honours, or other cir- 
 cumflances, yet, upon his afpiring rafhly to monarchy, and 
 daring to undertake and execute every thing he thought con- 
 ducive to this purpofe, he feized Syracufe, and overthrew 
 all the Grecian cities that were in Sicily. He, at lail, ac- 
 quired fuch horfe and foot-forces, as none that went be- 
 fore him there had ever done. Let me here mention the 
 Barbarians : did not Cyrus, tho' expofed by his mother, 
 and taken up by a Perfian woman, caufe fuch an alteration, 
 that he became abfolute lord of all Afia ? Now, if Alci- 
 
 ^ biades. 
 
 : i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 109 
 
 tiades, who was a fugitive, Conon unfortunate, Dionyfius 
 not noble, and the birth of Cyrus fo calamitous to him ; I 
 fay, notwithftanding all thefe perfons were in fuch inferior 
 circumftances to you, if they yet performed fuch unex- 
 pedled wonders, how can you imagine, but that you, who 
 are defcended from fuch anceftcrs, king likewife of Mace- 
 donia; lord befides of many territories, but that you, I fay, 
 will eafily reduce to pra6lice my counfel ? 
 
 Judge now yourfelf, how worthy it is of your prc- 
 cminency, to equal the glory of the gre.tefl heroes : but, 
 fliould you mifcarry, you will gain, however, the univer- 
 fal benevolence of all Greece ; which is a far nobler acqui- 
 fition than the taking, by force of arms, many cities; for 
 fuch adions, tho' fuccefsful, draw after them envy, dtfaf- 
 fedlion, and many reproaches : but there is no apprehen- 
 fion of any fuch confequences in this cafe. And would any 
 god give you an option of the manner in which you would 
 pafs your life, I judge none more worthy of you than the' 
 continual endeavour of putting in execution fuch a glorioi^' 
 projeft ; for you will not only deferve the emulation of 
 others, but mufl neccffarily believe yourfelf happy. What 
 acceilion can be made to fuch a felicity ? when the moft 
 confiderable men will come from the moil flourifhing cities 
 into your dominions, and you, along with them,will confult 
 the public good ; you, who excel others in prudence, and 
 muft certamly fee Greece profper under your direction,' 
 None of the Greeks will defpife your condudl j but fome 
 zealoufly enquire about your defigns; others pray perpe- 
 tually to heaven for your fuccefs ; and others, in fine, be * 
 apprehenfive of your mortality, before you can finifh fuch 
 exalted enterprizes. How can you do otherwife than, in 
 ^e very defign, have the mofl heroic ideas, and live the 
 mofl happy life in the execution, by the confcioufneis of 
 fuch grand actions ? What perfon, who is but moderately 
 endued with reafon, would not encourage you to the under- 
 taking of fuch adlions, as are capable of caufing you both 
 thefe effeds, as fubfequent fruits, fuperlative, noble plea-*- 
 
 furc. 
 
ffo The O R A T I O N S 
 
 fure> and diftinguifhed glory. I now judge I have (aid 
 enough, had I not omitted a part, not out of oblivion, 
 but timidity, which I here purpofe to fupply ; for I think 
 it is proper you ihould be acquainted with my thoughts, 
 and that I fhould fpeak with that modeil freedom, which i& 
 cu/lomary to me in my orations. 
 
 For I perceive you are calumniated by thofe wko envy 
 you, who are accuftomed to throw their own cities intQ 
 convulfions, and have a greater love of wars and confu- 
 fion than peace ; who neglect the oeconomy of their 0v/f\ 
 national affairs, and are continually haranguing againft 
 your power, as if all your actions tended to nothing elfe 
 but your fole encreafe ; and that, for a ccnfiderable time, 
 you have been in a kind of ambulh againfl all Greece j that 
 you pretend indeed to aflift the Mellenians, if you once 
 fettle your affairs with the Phocenfes; but that, in reality, 
 you defign to reduce ail Peloponnefus under your power i 
 that the Theilalians, the Thcbans, and all the Amphidy- 
 qncsy are ready to follow you ; that the Argives, the Mef- 
 fenians, and Megalopolitans, and many others, aifift your 
 defigns, and ruin the Lacedaemonians : and, in fine, that, 
 if you effedl your prefent views, you will then eaiily fub* 
 yck all Greece. While they wantonly, out of impotcncy 
 of tongue, affert this as known truth, they fpread fuch re- 
 ports evexy-where, and perfuade a great many, who are as 
 defirous of the fame confufion as themitJves ; they like- 
 wife influence fuch as have no care of the republic, 
 but, favouring their own indolence, cfteem tliemfelves 
 obliged to thofe who pretejid to be full of fear and foUici- 
 tude for their good : iaftly, they have prevalency with fuch 
 alfo, as think not the defign of defpotifm beneath you, but 
 worthy of a great mind ; who are fo far from a juft notion 
 of things, that they perceive not, bow, with the fame 
 fuppofitions, we may highly injure one, and praife another 
 perfon, as happens in this cafe. For example ; fhould any 
 orator fay of the Afiatic king, that he has a hoflile mind 
 againfl Greece, and is raifmg an army to that purpofle, he 
 
 X would 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. tit 
 
 would fay nothing difgraceful of him, but would fuppofe 
 him more valiant, and of greater moment than he is ; but 
 Ihould any one fay the fame of a defcendent of Hercules^ 
 who was a benefadlor to all Greece, he would cover him 
 with difhonour ; for who would not grieve, who would not 
 be filled with indignation, if fuch an exalted perfon fhould 
 attempt a thing of fuch a nature ? He, whofe anceflor ex- 
 pofed himfelf to fuch dangers for Greece, while, by fuch 
 contrary behaviour, his defcendent would quit that gene* 
 rofity of foul, which he left as an example to his poder ity, 
 and, forgetting his true glory, affedl infamous and bafe ac- 
 tions. Wherefore, it concerns you to flifle fuch infmua- 
 tions, as your enemies induflrioufly endeavour to fpread of 
 your intentions, tho' you have not a friend but will readily 
 contradidl fuch unjufl afTertions-, and you may clearly dif- 
 tino-uifh what is for your real interefls, by their different 
 fentiments. Perhaps you will imagine, that it fhews pu- 
 {illanimity to regard trifling calumniators, and fuch as liften 
 to them, efpecially while you are confcious of no ungene- 
 rous thought or proceeding ; but you ought not to defpife 
 the multitude, nor fet light by univerfal efleem and appro-* 
 bation : but, then, judge you have afcended the highefb 
 point of human happincfs and glory, fuch as is becoming 
 yourfelf and anceflors, when, by youra£lions, you have fo 
 difpofed all Greece towards you, as you fee the Lacedae- 
 monians towards their kings, and your own friends towards 
 yourfelf. It is not difficult to attain this felicity, if you 
 will be an impartial mediator, and ceafe favouring fomc 
 cities, while you are fevere to others : in a word, if you 
 do every thing, whereby you may gain the confidence of 
 the Grecians, and flrike a terror into the Barbarians. 
 
 And do not wonder, that I wrote to Dionyfius the ty- 
 rant, and now write to you, who am neither a general, a 
 public orator, or, in other refpe^s, a powerful perfon ; 
 wonder not, that I fpeak to you more freely than perhaps 
 others dare, or I would do, did I not know your noble 
 qualities ; for I never had a fuflicient voice or refolutioa 
 
 t9 
 
112 The ORATIONS 
 
 to face the multitude^ and be befpattered with opprobHouj 
 language by mercenary lawyers and ftate orators : but^ aS 
 for the ftudy of wifdom and prudence, though fome may 
 think what I am going to fay, vanity, I will dare to aflert it, 
 that I am not inferior in fuch qualities, but may rank my^ 
 fdf amongft the moft induftrious and eminent ; wherefore 
 I undertake to give counfel, in this manner, according to 
 my talents, to my city, the other Grecians, and the moil 
 diftinguifhed of mankind. What relates to myfelf, and 
 what I judge proper for you, in your high ftation, to do 
 in regard of other Grecians, you have almoft heard fuffi- 
 ciently ; but, concerning the alliance againft Perfia, I 
 think it then a proper time to advife the cities, which I 
 wifhed united, when I fee them made friends by mutual 
 concord : but I will now addrefs my words to you, though 
 not with the fame fentiments as when I treated of this fub- 
 je£l before. I then gave the audience leave to explode and 
 defpife me, if I did not fpeak worthily of fuch an arduous 
 theme, and of all the time I might have employed in the 
 acquifition of eloquence ; but now I am afraid, left I fpeak 
 much inferior to even what I have faid upon the fame topic : 
 for the Panegyric, which taught thofe who ftudy philofophy 
 a more diffufe and copious way of writing, caufed me no 
 fmall difficulty in the execution ; nor would I willingly now 
 fay again the fame things, nor can I eafily invent other ar- 
 guments : but yet I ought not to defift, but mention what 
 prefents itfelf ftill to me on this important fubjed, and 
 feems likely to perfuade you to undertake this great defign j 
 though I (hould not be- able to equal what I have written 
 before, yet it is my duty, for the public good, to draw the 
 outlines, to be finifhed and compleated by fuch as are more 
 capable. 
 
 I THINK, I have made that beginning of my difcourfe, 
 which it becomes thofe who would perfuade to a noble, ge- 
 neral confpiracy againft the tyranny of Afia ; for, certainly, 
 it is not prudence to undertake any thing of this nature, 
 until the leader has either all Greece afTifting him, or, at 
 
 leaft. 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S; 113 
 
 Icaft, wifhing profperity to his undertaking ; which Agefi- 
 laus, who was thought the wifeft of the Lacedaemonians, 
 negleded, not indeed out of a malevolent view, but out of 
 the love of honour ; for he had two ambitions, both in- 
 deed noble, but fuch as could not be gratified together : he 
 was defirous of making war againft the Perfian, to intro- 
 duce, by arms, his friends into his cities, and make them 
 mafters of the country. Now, it happened, by reafon of 
 this feparate afFedion for his friends, that die affairs of 
 Greece were thrown into diforder and convulfion; for, by 
 the tumult which arofe at home, he could not be at liberty 
 to fight againft the Barbarians : fo that it is evident, from 
 the unhappy ignorance of that time, that it ought to be the 
 firft and chief care of him, who would fuccefsfully attack 
 the eaftern monarch, to reconcile the Greeks, and cure 
 them of their popular frenzy ; which is the fcope and intent 
 of my advice to you. Now, I am perfuaded, that no one, 
 who loves his country, will blame me; I am more afraid by 
 far, that I have hitherto fpoken unworthily, and not in 
 fuch an animated manner, ?s I ought of my fubjecSt: I judge, 
 that whoever have fpoken on this topic, and exhorted 
 Greece to a war with the Barbarians, have hitherto only 
 mentioned thefe reafons, that, by fuch an enterprize, they 
 would all become of obfcure, univerfally known and glo- 
 rious ; of poor and indigent, mafters of many provinces 
 and cities ; and, in a word, abound with all affluence. But 
 I (hall not ufe thofe arguments, in order to perfuade you, 
 but even introduce examples of fuch as {eem to have been 
 unfortunate j I mean thofe who fought under Cyrus and 
 Clearchus. It is allowed by all, that they overthrew in 
 battle all the king's forces, with as much eafe as if they had 
 encountered fo many women ; and when fortune feemed 
 entirely in their hands, were ruined by the raflinefs and 
 precipitancy of Cyrus: for, being elate with joy, and pur- 
 fuing eagerly before the reft, he fell, furrounded fuddenly 
 by the enemies : but, after fuch a calamity, the king was fo 
 dlifident of his troops, and had fuch a fettled contempt of 
 
 I th^m. 
 
iii 
 
 m! 
 
 \ 
 
 114 The O R AT I O N S 
 
 them, that, inviting Clearchus, and the other captains, to'^ 
 a parley, he promifed them extraordinary gifts, and all the 
 foldiers their full pay, before their departure. Having thus 
 deluded them by his promifes, and whatever fecurity Cle- 
 archus required, he, at unawares, feized upon, and cru- » 
 elly murdered them, to fatiate his revenge : and in this dar- 
 ing, impious manner, hechofe to offend all the gods, rather* 
 than attack fuch half-deftitute foldiers, who were deprived 
 of their captains. Now, what ftronger, or more glorious 
 perfuafive for you can there be imagined than this ? For 
 thofe Grecians would have made themfelves mafters of the 
 kingdom, if it had not been for the raflinefs of Cyrus : but 
 it will be eafy for an experienced general, like you, to guard 
 againft a like deception, and raife a far better chofen army - 
 tharvthat which then conquered the Perfians. Excelling, I ' 
 fay, in both thefe advantages, who can doubt but it will be 
 an eafy thing for you to compleat fuch a glorious enter- 
 prize ? I am confcious I have exprefled many things in 
 the fame manner as before ; for if I had chofen to have ' 
 diverfified my fubje^l more by didtion, I could eafily have 
 done it ; and, had 1 written for pomp and oftentatlon, 
 have fet it ofF with all the oratorial ornaments : but, ^ 
 whea I wrote to you, I muft have been egregioufly im- 
 prudent, had I laid a greater ftrefs upon the politeneife of 
 expreiTion, than the weight and importance of fads : and 
 feeing others ufing my reafonings, I thought it too great a 
 fcrupulofity, if I entirely abftained from my own inven-'- 
 tions. It is no juft wonder then, that if there was a necef- J 
 fity, and it was becoming my charafter, that I made free 
 with my former writings, but abftained from others pro- 
 perty in this kind, as I have always hitherto religiouAy 
 done. 
 
 I HOPE this will fuifice, by way of apology : it now 
 feems proper I fhould fpeak of the preparations you have, * 
 and thofe forces which they are mafters of. What is one 
 of the greateft advantages is, that you will have all the 
 Greek* confoi^riS in common friendfliip, if you will endea- 
 
 i 
 
 vour 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. nj 
 
 voUr to efFe6t the public good, which I have mentioned ; 
 but as averfe as poflible to the Perfian king, on account of 
 the Lacedaemonian tyrannical goverment, during their alli- 
 ance with Afia : for they all judged, had Cyrus and Cle- 
 archus profpered, they muft have been reduced to a ftill 
 harder flavery ; but, by the conqueft of the king, be freed 
 from oppreffion ; which indeed happened. You likewifc 
 will have as many ready foldiers as you pleafe ; for now 
 the circumftances of Greece are fuch, that it is more eafy 
 to raife a numerous army of thofe who have no fixed ha- 
 bitation, than of fuch as dwell in cities : but, in thofe 
 times, there were no foreigners ; fo that they were obliged 
 to raife troops in other Grecian cities, and employed, on 
 thofe occafions, as much money in prefents, as they did in 
 pay to the foldiers : and, now, if we confider well our ad- 
 vantages, that you will lead the army, and have the care of all, 
 and not Clearchus, who was then at the head of affairs, we 
 Ihall have an additional hope of fuccefs : we fhall perceive, 
 that Clearchus had neither commanded land or fea-forces 
 nor was any- ways diftinguifhed before his bravery and cala- 
 mity in Afia ; but you have performed fuch noble, fuch glo- 
 rious actions, that (did Inowaddrefs my difcourfe to another) 
 would afford me a fpacious field of rhetoric and eloquence; 
 but, fhould I enumerate to yourfelf your adions,. I (hould 
 juftly incur the cenfure of being a trifling, luxuriant writer^; 
 yet, methinks, it is not foreign to my purpofe, if I men- 
 tion here the potentates, whom I counfel you to make war 
 againft, and him whom Clearchus had to fight with ; for, 
 by this means, you will beft acquaint yourfelf with their 
 qualities and powers. The father of the prefent king over- 
 threw both ours and the Lacedaemonian city ; but the pre- 
 fent Perfian monarch never conquered thofe enemies, who 
 dared to invade his own territories : again, the former had 
 the right of all Afia confirmed to him by our public treaties, 
 but the prefent pofl-eflbr of the throne is fo far from com- 
 manding Greece, that he cannot keep the cities which have ^ 
 been furrendered to him : wherefore it may be juftly doubted, 
 
 * 2 whether 
 
ii6 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 whether he has abandoned them out of cowardice, or that 
 they defpifed the Barbarian's power. Now, if weconfider the 
 fituation and circumftances at prefent of the country, you 
 muft necefTarily be ftill more incited to this war. The E- 
 gyptians, indeed, revolted at that time ; but they were afraid 
 left the Perfian, colleding a great army, might conquer the 
 difficulties of the river's paflage, and get the better of their 
 forces : but this prince has freed them from their fears ; for 
 having raifed innumerable troops, as many as he was able, 
 he marched againft them, but returned not only vanquiftied, 
 but even baffled, and made ridiculous, and appearing to all 
 neither worthy of being general, or wearing a crown. As 
 for Cyprus, Phoenicia, and Cilicia, at that time they fur- 
 nifhed the king with fleets, and fought on his fide: but fome 
 parts now have revolted, and others are (o diftrefled by 
 wars, that they can be of no ufe to the Perfian, yet will 
 certainly aflift you, if you refolve on a war with him. Be- 
 fides, Idrieus, who is the mod opulent fatrape upon the 
 continent, muft certainly favour you more than the eaftern 
 monarch, or he muft be egregioiifly infatuated, if he defires 
 not-the difiblution of an empire, which fo barbaroully treated 
 his brother, made war upon himfelf, perpetually lays fnares 
 for him, and has defigns both againft his liberty and trea- 
 fures. By fear of this, he is now compelled annually to 
 flatter him, and fend him large fums of money ; but fhould 
 you make a defcent upon the continent, he will readily 
 receive you, as the protedor of his perfon and liberty ; 
 nay, you will infallibly draw over to your party many other 
 iatrapes, if you promife them liberty, and fpread this fame 
 over Afia, which being credited by Greece, diflTolved both 
 ours and the Lacedaemonians power. Now, ftiould I 
 add here, by what method you may moft eafily conquer the 
 king's forces, I am apprehenfive left fome would blame me, 
 if, having no experience of war, I dared to counfel you 
 about its management, who have certainly had the greateft 
 fuccefs and experience of any in our age ; wherefore, upon 
 
 this topic, I think I fhould fay no more. 
 
 As 
 
 1 1 
 
 ;^ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 117 
 
 As for the reft, I judge, that your father, he who ac- 
 quired the kingdom of Macedon, and the firft head of your 
 family, abundantly fuflice for your example and imitation; 
 for, could they now fpeak to you, I do not doubt, but they 
 would give you the fame counfels as I. I guefs this from 
 what they a(Slually did ; for your father always conducted 
 himfelf as a friend towards thofe cities, which I advife 
 you to contra(5l alliance with ; and he who firft acquired 
 the crown, who thought in a higher order than his fellow- 
 citizens, and aimed at monarchy, did not follow the fame 
 political principles, as ufually thofe do, who have under- 
 taken fuch an enterprize : for moft of fuch made, in 
 their refpedlive cities, tumults, mafl!acres, and many trou- 
 bles, before they obtained the ends of their ambition ; 
 but he left the reft of Greece in entire freedom, and 
 eftabliihed monarchy only in Macedonia : for he too well 
 knew, that the generality of the Grecians were not accuf- 
 tomed to monarchy or defpotifm ; but that other people 
 were not capable of keeping a regular form under any other 
 goverment. This he knew from his general knowledge of 
 mankind, and the nature of them and monarchy ; and, by 
 not endeavouring to enflave and opprefs his countrymen, he 
 fhunned thofe dangers which arife frequently from the firft 
 acquifition of monarchy j for if we read hiftory,weftiallfind, 
 that all others, who had attempted a thing of this nature be- 
 fore over the reft of the Grecians, were not only ruined 
 themfelves, but their very families deftroyed and blotted out 
 from the race of mankind; but he pafled his whole life in 
 great peace, tranquillity, and happinefs, and left his crown 
 and kingdom to his pofterity. All men, indeed, praifethc 
 courage and valour of Hercules, and number up his conflicts 
 and battles ; but, in refpedl of the more humane and inti- 
 mate virtues of the mind, I remember neither any poet or 
 rhetorician, who has made mention of them. But this is, I 
 think, ^ proper occafion for my own doing fo ; for, though 
 this topic has been hitherto relinquiftied, it is neither un- 
 worthy of eloquence or new, but aftbrding an infinite fubje6l 
 
 1 3 < 
 
n8 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 of praife, and fuch glorious aaions, as require the moft 
 accomplifhed rhetoric and finifhed oratory. Were I now 
 in my youth, I could eafily demonftrate, that the au- 
 thor of your race excelled all that went before him, as 
 much in prudence, virtue, philofophy, and juftice, as he 
 did in the ftrength and excellency of his body. But now 
 having him for objed, and perceiving the variety of fuch a 
 fubjea, I defpair of my prcfent ability, and am fenfible, 
 did I launch out into fuch a field of panegyric, I muft double 
 the length of my prefent oration : I therefore fhall omit all 
 the reft of his merits, and fhall only touch upon one a^ion, 
 which feems to me particularly adapted to what I have faid 
 before , and will only take up a convenient fpace of time 
 for my prefent intention -, for he obferving, that Greece 
 was full of divifions, wars, and other calamities, by putting 
 an end to them, and mutually reconciling the difunited ci- 
 ties, {hewed to pofterity with what alliance, and againft 
 whom, we ought to make a common war ; for, not in- 
 dulgi ig inactivity, he raifed an army, made an expedi- 
 tion into Afia, and befieged Troy, which, at that time, 
 was the powerfulleft city of that country : in which war 
 he fo far diftinguifhed himfelf, in condudl, from thofe 
 in the following war, that his fuccefTors compleated only 
 in ten years, with difficulty, the deftrudion of that place, 
 which he efFe£led in a fhort time ; nay, in a fewer days 
 than they years ; and, with a far lefs number of men, he 
 took it by afTault, and afterwards flew all the kings of 
 thofe nations, which inhabit both the fhores of the con- 
 tinent; whom he certainly could not have thus deflroyed, 
 had he not firft fubdued their powers. After this, he raifed 
 the trophy called Herculcs's pillars, as a monument of his 
 vidlories over the Barbarians, and a witncfs of his valour and 
 dangers, as well as a liniit of the Grecian dominion. I have 
 mentioned this, that you may pe:ceive I counfel you to the 
 fame glorious enterprizes, which your anceftors have the 
 moft happily of all mankind executed. Now, it certainly be- 
 comes the nobleft-mindcd to propofe to themfelves the moft 
 arduous adion^ and endeavour to put them in execution ; 
 
 in 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 119 
 
 in a word, to fet before their eyes the grcatcft examples, 
 and emulate the nObleft heroes. This is particularly your 
 cafe; for, without foreign inducements, or any others than 
 domeftic examples, how can you be otherwife than excited 
 to an imitation, nay, a defire of equalling your paternal 
 glories ? I fay not, that you can imitate all the adlions and 
 exploits of Hercules; for fome of the gods could not do this : 
 but you may indubitably imitate his philofophy, his philan- 
 thropy, his benevolence towards all Greece, and his defigns 
 of its glory. It is, I fay, eafier for you (if I can but 
 perfuade you by this difcourfe) to acquire, in your prefent 
 circumftances, whatever glory you pleafe, than to have 
 made a progrefs to your prefent point of power, from the 
 firft beginning of your government. You fee, I do not 
 counfel you to make war in concert with Barbarians, 
 againft whom you are forbidden by the ties of nature; but, 
 with Grecians, againft thofe whom it becomes the dcfcen- 
 dents of Hercules to conquer. 
 
 And do not wonder, that I fo earneftly admonifh you 
 to ufe generofity towards the Grecians, and pradife, in 
 regard of them, all mildnefs and philanthropy ; for I have 
 obferved, that harflmefs and violence are not only uneafy to 
 the breafts which indulge them, but to all that have any 
 commerce with us ; that the above-mentioned virtues are 
 not only loved in other creatures as well as men, but 
 that thofe gods, who are efteemed the greateft benefaaors 
 of mankind, are, for that very reafon, by eminency, called 
 celeftial ; and that thofe deities, who are fuppofed agents in 
 the puniftiments and calamities of mankind, have a lefs 
 agreeable appellation : both private perfons and cities erea 
 ' temples and altars to the former ; but the latter are not fo 
 much as mentioned either in prayers or facrifices, but we 
 feem to have a kind of abomination for them : wherefore it 
 becomes you, by fuch confidcrations, to encreafe in all, the 
 prefent univerfal opinion of your humanity ; for it becomes 
 thofe, who propofe to themfelves a higher pitch of glory 
 than other men, to have conftantly in view adions that 
 
 I 4 ^^ 
 
120 The ORATIONS 
 
 are pradicable indeed, but which have more of the mere 
 poffibility of wifhes, than the probability of execution; 
 and undertake them when the circumftances of time and 
 power feem moft favourable. You may be convinced of 
 of this truth by many reafons, and efpecially by what 
 happened to Jafon ; for tho' he had never atchieved what 
 you have done, yet he acquired the higheft glory; not fo 
 much for what he did, as for what he faid 3 for he only 
 difcourfed, as if he defigned to pafs over to the continent, 
 and war againft the Perfian. Now, if Jafon rendered himfelf 
 fo popular by fuch a declaration, what fentiments muft the 
 Grecians have of you, if you put this in pra(aice,and endea- 
 vour to conquer the Perfian empire ? or, not efFeding this, 
 to feparate from them as many cities as pofTible, and divide 
 Afia, which fome defcribe as extended from Cilicia to Si- 
 nope ? Add to this, if you will build cities in thofe places, 
 and give habitations to fuch as are now unfettled, and, by the 
 urging neceiHties of poverty, invade and deftroy their neigh- 
 bours ; whom if we, by fuch a method, do not provide for, 
 giving them a fufficient maintenance, they will clandeftinely 
 aflbciate in fuch numbers, that they will become no kfs 
 formidable to the Greeks than to the Barbarians : of all 
 which we take no prudent care, but are, or feem ignorant 
 of fuch a growing evil and danger. Now, it becomes a 
 wife man, and a lover of Greece, one who fees farther into 
 futurity than others, to ufe thofe men in a war againft the 
 common enemy, and, cutting off fuch a part of the country, 
 as I fpoke of before, to free the above-mentioned mercena- 
 ries from the calamities they ftruggle with, and caufe to 
 others ; to compofe, I fay, cities and colonies of them, 
 and, by fuch garrifons, fecure Greece, while they will be fo 
 many ftrong forts on the frontiers : if you do this, you will 
 not only render them happy, but will fecure us all. And 
 ihould you even fail of this, you will certainly recover the 
 freedom of the Grecian Afiatic cities. Whichfoever of 
 thefe glorious points you gain, or even only undertake, you 
 will certainly acquire more glory than any other ; and this 
 
 juftly. 
 
 ■1«1' 
 
 
 J r . 
 
 :^' 
 
 .s ■ 
 
 '-■*■; 
 
 
 a-4 
 
 I 
 
 of ISOCRATES. ui 
 
 juftly, if you begin fuch an enterprize, and encourage 
 others to join in it. But who would not at prefent won- 
 der at what has happened, and defpife us, fmce there have 
 rifen men amongft the Barbarians, whom we efteem effe- 
 minate and unwarlike, who have imagined they could fub- 
 je6l all Greece : but no Grecian hitherto (excepting Her- 
 cules) has had fo much wifdom or courage, as to attempt 
 to make us mafters of Afia ; nay, we are fo far inferior to 
 them in this regard, that they have not been afraid to com- 
 mence enmity againft us : and ihall not we have the refo- 
 lution to take a juft revenge of fuch aggrefTors ? But tho* 
 they confefs, that they have neither good foldiers nor ge- 
 nerals, nor any other preparations againft dangers, grant- 
 ing like wife, that they are forced to purchafe them from us, 
 yet we have fuch a mad inclination to hurt one another, 
 that, tho* we may eafily poffefs ourfelves of their ftates, we 
 will fight with one another for trifles ; nay, we deftroy the 
 perfons who revolt from the king, and, out of mutual 
 hatred, ruin thofe related to us in blood, rather than the 
 Barbarians. Now, I think it worthy of you, while others 
 are in this fupine condition, to be leader in a war againft 
 them. It becomes both the dependents of Hercules, and 
 all in pofts of public power, to love thofe cities which they 
 live in ; but you, as a deliverer, ftiould confult the good 
 of all Greece, as did your great progenitor, and run the 
 utmoft hazards of war for the univerfal profperity and hap- 
 pinefsof Greece. 
 
 Perhaps fome will blame me, in this manner, having 
 nothing elfe to fay, that I have exhorted you particularly 
 to this war, and the care of all Greece, while I omit my 
 own city. Had I addrefled fuch a difcourfe to others firft, 
 before my own country, which has three times delivered 
 Greece, twice from the Barbarians, and once from the La- 
 cedaemonians ; had I done this, I acknowledge, I fliould 
 have deferved juft reprehenfion. But I ftiall appear now to 
 any equitable perfon, only to exhort him who is moft ca- 
 pable and willing, to fuch a glorious undertaking ; for I 
 
 per- 
 
122 The ORATIONS 
 
 perceived my own country lefs regarded what I propofed, 
 than the mad reveries of her venal orators ; and therefore 
 I defpaired of my firft defign, but not of my whole inten- 
 tion : wherefore all ought defervedly to praife me, that, by 
 this faculty I am pofTefled of, I have always made war againft 
 the Barbarians, and accufed others of imprudence, who 
 were not of my fcntiment ; and, in this view, I always en- 
 deavoured to perfuade thofe, chiefly, who were moft ca- 
 pable of doing the Grecians good, and deprive the Barba- 
 rians of their prefent affluence and fuperfluity. On this 
 account I addrefs this oration to you ; tho' I am not igno- 
 rant, that many will envy me for this freedom, but all, I 
 am fure, will delight in the execution of my propofal. As 
 for my oration, none will think they have a fhare in it ; but 
 all will think themfelves partakers of your fuccefsful glo- 
 rious actions againft the Perfians. Confider here what a 
 fhame it would be to you, to fufFer Afia to be in greater 
 profperity than Europe, and Barbarians happier than the 
 Grecians ; that thofe who are defcended from Cyrus, whom 
 his mother expofed, Ihould be called the great kings, and 
 thofe whom Hercules begot, whom, for his immortal vir- 
 tues, his father advanced to the rank of the gods, fhould 
 be contented with inferior appellations ; which certainly 
 Ihould never be fuffered, but fuch a diforder be remedied, 
 and things in this regard changed according to natural me- 
 rit. You know, I am perfuaded, I would not counfelyou 
 to this, if I forefaw nothing would accrue to you but power 
 and treafures ; for I am fenfible, you have fufficiently al- 
 ready, and I am equally fo, that he muft be blindly avari- 
 cious, who expofes himfelf to dangers, and will either ac- 
 quire fupcrfiuities, or lofe his life. But I compofed not this 
 oration with a view to fuch acqulfitions ; but, on the con- 
 trary, becaufe I judged, that, from this enterprize, the 
 greateft honour and glory will redound to you. Reflect 
 iferioufly, that we all of us have a mortal body ; but that juft 
 praife and efteem, which are the confcquence of great ac- 
 tions, make us partake of immortality, which we ought to 
 
 J defire 
 
 m 
 
 we* I 
 
 .'It,. 
 
 -■■'i'«- 
 
 M 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 123 
 
 defire above all other objedls. You may obferve likewifc, 
 that the moft virtuous private perfons are not willing to part 
 with life on any other fcore ; but readily lay it down in 
 battle for fame and honour : in a word, that thofe, who 
 grafp at boundlefs glory, are ever praifed by all ; but that 
 thofe, who confine their thoughts to fuch vulgar obje<Sb as 
 are commonly purfued, are reputed grovelling, and worthy 
 of oblivion. Befides, enemies may poflefs themfelves of riches 
 or kingdoms ; but none, except thofe who have been begotten 
 by us, can be heir to our country's love and admiration for 
 fuch virtues as I have mentioned ; fo that I fhould be afhamed 
 did I not counfel you, in this view, to make the alliance of 
 all Greece, unite its forces, and run the hazards of war for 
 univei fal good. You will take the prudenteft advice upoit 
 this important fubje6l, if you think, that not only I exhort 
 you, but your anceftors fame and glory, as well as all the 
 diftinguifhed heroes of antiquity, who were efteemed, and 
 made demi-gods, for their military adlions againft the 
 Afiatics. But, laftly, you cannot doubt what refolution 
 you ought to take, if you confider the opportunity arifing 
 from your prefent power, which is certainly fuperior to any 
 in Europe ; and, at the fame time, how that the Perfian 
 monarchjwho now reigns, is the moft univerfally hated and 
 defpifed of all his predeceflbrs. I wifh I could colledl to- 
 gether all the writings, which I have compofed on this to- 
 pic ; for, I believe, my difcourfe would appear ftill more full 
 and compleat : but you muft fupply this by your extenfivc 
 mind, in confidering all the motives which may perfuade 
 and exhort you to the war with Perfia. I am not ignorant, 
 that many of the Grecians think the king's power invin- 
 cible : now, it feems to me a paradox, that they fhould 
 imagine a ftate, that is governed by a perfon fo ill-educated, 
 and whofe principles tend to flavery, might not be diflblved 
 by a man of the moft confummate prudence in war, and 
 whofe politics defign univerfal liberty and peace. Befides, 
 they cannot, fure, be infenfible of this, that kingdoms diffi- 
 cultly are eftablifhed, but eafily diflblved. Confider like- 
 wife. 
 
124 The ORATIONS 
 
 wife, that all mankind moft admire thofe who are capable 
 of both excellencies, a wife management in peace, and 
 conduct in war. But if you fee thofe, who govern in one 
 only city, when poflciTed of thofe faculties, univerfally 
 praifed, what muft you imagine will be mankind's admira- 
 tion of your virtues, wheq you have benefited all Greece by 
 your wifdom, and have conquered the Barbarians by your 
 martial conducl ? I hopfe this will be effeded 3 nor can a 
 more univerfally beneficial adion be performed, than your 
 reconciling the different cities of Greece j nor ever a like 
 power be cemented by the Barbarians, if you overthrow 
 their prefent armies : and ihould any one in pofterity excel 
 all others in the dignity and perfection of his nature, he 
 will never have a like opportunity. And we may juflly 
 fay, you have excelled the adions of the antients both nobly 
 and heroically ; for you have fubjeded as many nations as 
 others have conquered cities : and can the inequality then 
 be doubted of betwixt you and them in glory? But I decline 
 the comparifon, for two reafons ; the fii fl, becaufe fome have 
 done this imprudently ; and, fecondly, becaufe I would not 
 feem to degrade thofe who are efteemed demi-gods and di- 
 vine heroes. Refledl likewife (to hint fomething here of 
 antiquity), that neither orator or poet can either praife the 
 riches of Tantalus, the power of Euryftheus, or the empire 
 of Pelops i but muft poflpone them to Hercules's glory, to 
 Thefeus's virtues, and the merits of thofe, and fuch like 
 them, who fought at Troy : and yet the molt famous and 
 renowned of thofe heroes governed only in fmall cities and 
 inconfiderable illands, tho' they left behind them a glory 
 that was thought divine, and deferving eternal memory ; 
 for none love thofe, who acquire to themfelves the greatefl 
 power, but thofe who are the authors of the greatelt hap- 
 pinefs to Greece. Nor will you fee this verified in the 
 examples only which I have mentioned, but conflantly in 
 all that take .the fame method : fo none will praife our city, 
 that it had the command at fea, or acquired fuch fums of 
 money from its confederates, to repofite in the citadel j 
 
 nor. 
 
 . ■* 
 
 
 
 ».'. 
 
 ■'c»*.- 
 
 ■>"',' 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 12; 
 
 ftor, Indeed, becaufe it was mafter of fo many cities, fo as to 
 rafe fome, to encreafe others, and, in fine^ manage the af- 
 fairs of not a few. It could indeed effedt this ; but what 
 happened from it ? It was feverely reproached by many. 
 But, in regard of the battle of Marathon, the fea-fight at 
 Salamis, and the abandoning its houfes for the public good, 
 all mankind praifes them. The fame judgment is paffed 
 upon the Lacedaemonians ; for men more admire and praife 
 their defeat at Thermopylae, than all their other victories ; 
 and look upon the trophy, which the proud Barbarians 
 raifed for their overthrow, with love and veneration ; but 
 thofe trophies they raifed themfelves for the conqueft of other 
 Grecians, with regret and difpleafure : for they efteem the 
 former a monument of their valour and virtue, but the 
 latter, of their avarice and oppreflion. 
 
 Having therefore confidered thefe differences, and ex- 
 plained them to you, if I have fpoken any thing lefs wor- 
 thy of my fubjedt, you ought to have an eye to my age, 
 which, I believe, you will think worthy of allowances ; 
 for if my prefent difcourfe is equal to my former writings, 
 it ought not to be fo much fuppofed my age was capable of 
 it, as that fome god fuggefted thefe thoughts, not for the 
 love of me, but rather of all Greece, out of a defire of 
 freeing it from its prefent calamities, and encreafmg your ' 
 glory even beyond what you have hitherto acquired. I do 
 not imagine you ignorant of the fuperintendency and pro- 
 vidence of the gods ; for they arc not vifible authors of our 
 happinefs or mifery, but they give us fuch fentiments and 
 inclinations as are productive of them; and now, to this 
 end, have probably fuggefted to me this exhortation, and 
 rcferved for you the glory of the execution of fo great a 
 defign, as being moft worthy and capable of it ; but, per- 
 haps, made my difcourfe not difagreeable to the hearers. I 
 judge likewife, that you could never have efFecSted thofe 
 noble actions which you have done, if fome god had not 
 directed you ; not with a view only that you (hould deftroy 
 the Barbarians that have fettled themfelves in Europe, but 
 
 that 
 
126 'The ORATIONS 
 
 that, firft, being thus exercifed and experienced, known for 
 the hero you are, you may finally aim at that glorious con- 
 dufion which I propofe. It is certainly an infamy, when 
 fortune feems to lead in the path of glory, to be left behind, 
 and not dare to advance where (he points out the way to 
 honour and everlafting fame. I think you ought to value 
 all fuch as fpeak well of your adions ; but, methinks, thofe 
 praife you moft, who believe you worthy and capable of the 
 greateft adions -, and not only thofe who fpeak agreeably to 
 your ear at prefent, but fuch as will make pofterity admire 
 your aaions beyond thofe of any of your predecelTors : and 
 though I would fay many more things to this purpofe, I am 
 not capable for that reafon, which I have mentioned but too 
 often already. It now remains, that I fhould recapitulate 
 what I have faid, that you may fee in one point what I kave 
 propofed to your wifdom ; I fay, you ought to do good to 
 all Greece, rule over the Macedonians as a father, and ex- 
 tend your power as far as poffible among the Barbarians : 
 f6r if you do this, all will think themfelves obliged to you ; 
 the Grecians, upon account of the advantages which they 
 reapi the Macedonians, for your royal, not tyrannical pro- 
 teaion; and all mankind, if you free them from the arbi- 
 trary government of the Barbarians, while they arc pro- 
 teded by the mildnef^ of Grecian government. Whether 
 this oration has been written in a proper jundure, and 
 with care, I leave to the audience ; but I am perfuaded, no 
 one can advife. you to what is more laudable, and worthy of 
 your diftinguiflied high charader. 
 
 
 
 
 i.f 
 
 THE SIXTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 I S O C R A T E S, 
 
 CALLED, 
 
 ARCHIDAMUS: 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE 
 
 ■ >«^ 
 
 "A.". 
 
 LACEDiEMONIAN SeNATE, 
 
 THE 
 
 
 •-■■;' 
 
 Hi'- 
 
 
I "9 1 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 jfFTER the battle of LeuElrdy the TTjebans 
 "^ made incur/ions into the country of the La- 
 cedcemoniam^ and catifedthem a 'variety of cola-- 
 mities : fo that the Lacedamonian women^ meet" 
 ing their hujhands in their fight ^ ajkedthem^ if 
 they thought it pojjible to take refuge in their 
 wombs. By this reproach they took courage^ andy 
 being bravely ajfjled by the Athenian horfe^ got 
 tha iji Story at Mantinea. After the affair at 
 Mantinea^ they defred peace of the Thebans by 
 their ambaffadors\ who anfweredy they would 
 give ity on condition they would rebuild Meffena^ 
 and let it be free. When others would have 
 agreed to'tthefe'^terms^ Archidamus the ydun^'er 
 oppofes them. There arefome who fuppofe^ that 
 Archidamus had this oration written for him by 
 Ifocrates ; others rather think it compofed by Ifo^ 
 crates for his own exercifcy and that he might 
 Jhew what he thought worthy of Archidamus to 
 fay in opert fenate\ It is in the deliberative 
 kindy and particularly infi/is upon the topic of 
 utility. 
 
 -■■"ST- 
 
 
 V 
 
 s ■ 
 
 Ik 
 *■/;.- 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 4i#3*' '''S> y '^f-.A^^^ 
 
 THE SIXTH 
 
 4 
 
 Oration of Isocrates, 
 
 CALLED 
 
 ARCHIDAMUS: 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE 
 
 Lacedaemonian Senate, 
 
 PERHAPS fome of you may wonder, that I, who 
 always fo exadly kept the decorum of the laws, as 
 none that I know of my equals have done, feem 
 now fo changed, that I dare to give public counfel, young 
 as I am, about what my elders have a difficulty to explain 
 themfelves upon. Had any of thofe, who were accuftomed 
 to fpeak here, exprefTed themfelves worthily of our city, I 
 would have held my tongue ^ but feeing fome acquiefcing to 
 what the enemy propofes, and others not ftrenuoufly re- 
 fifting fuch meannefs, others quite fdent, I have ventured 
 to rife up, and declare my fentiments upon this occafion : 
 for I judge it a (hame for him, who conducts his own life 
 with honour, if he permits the city to neglect: its reputa- 
 tion. I likewife think, that, if it becomes others to (peak 
 of other fubjeds, it certainly becomes thofe to fpeak of 
 peace or war, who muft run the greateft hazards ; efpeci- 
 ally fuppofmg them capable of knowing what moft con- 
 cerns the public. Was it a certain truth, that old men 
 
 K always 
 
 4k^ 
 
ijo The O R A T I O N S 
 
 always undei-ftood what was beft in every affair, and young 
 men were excluded from prudence, it would be juft that 
 youth fhould be banifhed from public counfels ; but fmce 
 the number of years does not make the diftindlion in de- 
 grees of wifdom, but nature and diligence, why (hould 
 you not hear the reafonings of both ag^, that from thence 
 you may conclude on what is the moil convenient ? I won- 
 der, we fhould be judged worthy of commanding fleets, 
 and condufSting armies ; which trufls did we not anfwer by 
 our wife condud:, we muft inevitably plunge the city into 
 a variety of calamities ; and yet not to be permitted to ex- 
 plain our minds, of what you yourfelves are conftituted 
 finally the determining judges ; and in which regard, did 
 we happen to fhew prudence, we muft neceffarily benefit 
 the whole ftate ; and, failing of our intention, appear in a 
 difadvantageous light ourfelves, but no ways prejudice the 
 public. I reafon not in this manner, out of a love of po- 
 pularity, or of any other form of government; but. with a 
 ▼lew to perfuade you not to reje£l any age, but fee, if anv 
 ftage of life, in the prefent fituation of our affairs, can find 
 out what will be publicly beneficial. 
 
 From its flrfl eftablifhment, there never was a war, or 
 danger, fo great as thi^, which now threatens our city, and 
 about which I have ventured to give you counfel. In for- 
 mer times, we contended to govern others ; biit, now, the 
 queftion put is, whether we fhall obey foreign orders, in 
 which our very liberty is concerned ? for which, it behoves 
 us to fufFer the greateft hardfhips, as well as all others, 
 that are not quite effeminate, or retain the leaft fpark of 
 virtue. As for me (to fpeak now of myfelf), 1 would 
 chufe to die at prefent, rather than fubmit to the prefcrip- 
 tion of the Thebans, tho' I might protra6l my life by do- 
 ing fo : for I fhould be afhamed, if, being the defcen- 
 dent of Hercules, my father a king, and I myfelf hav- 
 ing a like profped, I fhould be carelefs, while I faw 
 thofe lands, which our anceftors had left us, in the poffef- 
 iion of our flavej. I wifh you would entertain the fame 
 
 fentiments 
 
 i 
 
 of 1 S O C R A T E S. 131 
 
 ftntiments as I. Hitherto we fhall feem only unfortunate 
 in our war with the Thebans, and be overcome, in our 
 bodies, by the defedl: and ill-condu£l of our generals ; but 
 ilill have our fouls free and invincible : if you part meanly 
 with our indifputed property, you will encreafe the The- 
 ban pride, and raife a more glorious trophy for them, than 
 that of Leudra over ourfelves ; that of Leuclra will be 
 thought the monument of our misfortune ; but the other, 
 a witnefs of our own abjedtnefs. Let none, therefore, 
 perfuade you to difgrace the city with fuch infamy. But 
 our allies have advifed us to abandon Meffena, and make 
 peace ; whofe behaviour you ought to have a greater re- 
 fentment of, than of theirs who deferted us in the begin- 
 ning : for the latter, abandoning our friendfhip, ruined 
 their own cities, throwing their citizens into divifions, 
 flaughters, and a tyrannical, difordered oeconomy of govern- 
 ment ; but thefe defign deliberately your ruin : they would 
 perfuade you cowardly to throw away that glory in a fhort 
 time, which your anceftors had been at incredible pains and 
 induftry in acquiring, during the fpace of feven hundred 
 years. Nothing can be more diftionourable or affliaive to 
 Lacedaemon ; nor could they have fhewn their malice and 
 jealoufy more effedually. They have that grafping ambi- 
 tion, and fuch contempt of our courage, that, tho' they 
 have fo often defired our bravery and generoilty to aftifl 
 them, they now tell us, that we ought not to expofe our- 
 felves for Meffena j and, that they may enjoy their happi- 
 nefs in peace, they endeavour to perfuade us, that we 
 ought to yield to our enemies, and threaten, that if we fol- 
 low not advice, they will make a feparate accommodation. 
 I judge not, that this danger will be more hazardous than 
 glorious for us without them ; I would fay, more fplendid, 
 and admired by all mankind. To endeavour our own free- 
 dom, and conquer our enemies, by ourfelves, is agreeable . 
 to the other noble adions of our city. I formerly, mdecd, 
 loved not ftudied difcourfes, but thought fuch as employed 
 tbemfelves in harangues, were indolent in refped of ac- ' 
 
 K, 2 tionj 
 
132 The ORATIONS 
 
 tion ; but now fhould efteem no faculty more, than the 
 power of fully explaining the important fubjedt which I 
 have in view : for could I effect this, I believe, I (hould 
 thereby be author of the greateft poffibk good to our 
 city. 
 
 In the firft place, I think you ought to remember in 
 what manner we acquired MefTena, and for what reafon 
 now inhabit Pelojponnefus, who were Doreans before. 
 For this caufe, I will afiume my difcourfe the higher, that 
 you may the better underftand why they would have you 
 deprived of this region, which you have as juft a title to as 
 Lacedaemon itfelf. After that Hercules had changed this life 
 for immortality, and of a man became a god, his children, 
 upon account of the envy of their enemies, were driven to 
 different banifhments ; but, when Euryfthcus was dead, 
 they dwelt amongft the Doreans. About the third defcent, 
 they came to Delphi, to confult the oracle there ; but the 
 god, whom they confulted, did not give them a clear an- 
 fwer, and only faid, theymuft return to their native coun- 
 , try. Upon confidering the oracle, they found Argos nearly 
 related to them (for Euryflheus being dead, they alone were 
 left of the Perfidae) ; Lacedaemon they found enflaved, 
 which place Tindarus gave to Hercules for reftoring him 
 after he had been depofed (Caflcr and Pollux being dead 
 before), both on account of fuch a benefit, and his con- 
 fanguinity with his fons. As for MefTena, it had been 
 gained by the right of war ; for Hercules, having been 
 robbed of his oxen (which he had brought from Erythea) 
 by Neleus and his fons (exclufive of Neftor) after he had 
 taken it by force, flew all thofe who had injured him 5 
 but entrufled the city to Neflor, thinking him pofTefTed 
 of prudence; becaufe, though the youngefl:, he had not 
 joined in his family's injuflice. Judging this to be the 
 meaning of the oracle, and afTociating your anceflors, they 
 raifed an army, and, having diflributed their land to their 
 fellow-fold iers, they retained the royalty to themfelves ; 
 and, upon thefe terms, they undertook a common expedi- 
 tion. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 133 
 
 tion» But I need not mention here, methinks, the dan- 
 gers and actions of that enterprize, as being foreign to my 
 purpofe. They conquered, in this war, thofe who inha- 
 bited the above-mentioned places, and divided their king- 
 doms in three-fold order. You continue, to this day, con- 
 ftant in the agreement which you made with our anceflors ; 
 and for this, in former time, you flourifhed more, and en- 
 joyed more profperity than others : and it is to be hoped, 
 being of this difpofition, you will, in your enterprizes, be 
 attended with greater fuccefs than you are at prefent. But 
 the MefTenians arrived at that pitch of impiety, that they 
 flew Crefphontes, the builder of the city, the lord of the 
 territory, the defcendent of Hercules, and their own gene- 
 ral : his children efcaping, became fuppliants to this city . 
 begged we would revenge their father, and gave up to us 
 the country : wherefore, after confulting the oracle, and 
 having been counfelled by the god to accept of what was of- 
 fered, you punifhed injuflice, befieged MefTena, and pofTef- 
 fed yourfelves of the place. 
 
 Now, I am lenfible, I have not fpoken accurately of 
 our right from the beginning (for the prefent time does not 
 permit me to rummage into antiquity) ; but it was necef- 
 fary I fliould fpeak of fome things briefly, rather than with 
 difFufe perfpicuity : and I perfuade myfelf, it is manifefl to 
 all, that we did not at firfl acquire even this country, which 
 is allowed by all to be our property, more juflly than 
 this controverted one. We inhabit this, becaufe it was 
 given us by the Heraclidae, a god commanded, and '*'e ex- 
 pelled, by war, thofe who then held it; and, in the fame 
 manner, we received the other city, and by the dire£lion of 
 the fame oracle. But if we are of fuch a mind, that we will 
 refufe our enemies nothing, even tho' they did command us 
 to furrender Sparta, it is vain to concern ourfelves about 
 MefTena : but if there is not a man of you, who would not 
 chufe to die before he would do this, you ought to be of 
 the fame fentlments in rc2;ard of both ; for we have the 
 fame right, and the fame reafons, for either refolution. 
 
 K 3 Befides, 
 
M-' i'' 
 t 
 
 i 
 
 134 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 Befides, you cannot be ignorant, that all men judge thofe 
 pofTeiTions, which they have held a Jong time, ^s their 
 undoubted property. Now, we took Meflena before the 
 Perfians poflefTed themfelves of the kingdom, and fub- 
 dued the continent ; or even before fome Grecian cities 
 w^ere founded. And tho' you have this to plead, thefe very 
 Thebans granted Afia, as his patrimony, to the Barbarian^ 
 who has not held that kingdom as yet two hundred years 
 compleat 5 yet would take from us Meflena, who have held 
 it above double that fpace of time already. They lately de- 
 ftrcycd Plateae and Thefpae ; and now they are for rebuild- 
 ing this after three hundred years : they do both thefe things 
 contrary to their oaths and covenants. Had they en- 
 deavoured to have rcHored the true Meflenians^ they had 
 aaed unju%, but they would thereby have been guilty of 
 a lefs injuftice tovrards us. Now, they would have our own 
 fervants our next independent neighbours ; fo that it will 
 not be our greateft hardfhip to be deprived of the territory 
 contrary to equity, but to fee our fervants lords and mafters 
 of it. 
 
 By what follows, you will more clearly underftand, that 
 we fufFer great opprefTion, and that we have a juft title ta 
 MefTena. When the circumftances of war were far more 
 detrimental to us than our enemies, we were forced to con- 
 clude a peace : but, even in this time, when the treaty was 
 on fuch terms, that we could expedt no advantage, the dif- 
 puje' arofe about other fubjeas. Neither the Perfian king, 
 nor the Theban commonwealth, objected to us, that we 
 were poflefTed of Meflena unjuftly. Now, wh at greater or 
 more evident proof can we find of our claim than this, that 
 h was acknowledged even by our enemies in our adverfity. 
 As for the oracle, which is confefled by all the antienteft, as 
 well as moft univerfally equitable, it did not only declare 
 Meflena to be ours, becaufe, upon the gift of it to us by 
 Crefphontes*s children, it had ordered us to accept the city, 
 ^d-afllfl: the oppreflfed 3 but, even long after the com- 
 nicr*cement gf the war, when each had fent to Delphi , 
 
 they 
 
 ^ % 
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
 of I S O C R A TE S. 
 
 they imploring fafety and proteftion, and we the methods 
 of moft expeditioufly making ourfelves matters of the place ; 
 to the Mefl!enians the oracle anfwered nothing, as to per- 
 fons who made an unjuft petition ; but revealed to us the 
 facrifices we ought to make, and the alliances we were to 
 feek after. Now, once more, let me afk, what greater 
 proof than this can be given ? for it is certain, thatwe firft 
 received this city voluntarily from the right owners (and it is 
 not improper briefly to mention this) ; afterwards we pof- 
 fefied ourfelves of it by war, by which means, in thofe 
 times, moft pofleflions had their beginning : add to this, 
 that we drove away the enemies of Hercules's children, 
 who fhould have been exterminated from the face of the 
 univerfe : finally, by the length of time, the judgment of 
 our enemies, and the declaration of a god, we were allowed 
 to have acquired it juftly. Each of thefe proofs and titles 
 is fufficient to overthrow all the falfe pretences of our ad- 
 verfaries, ihould they fay, that we either now make war 
 out of avarice, or did at firft, out of an unjuft principle, 
 make war on the Meflenians. I could fay more for our juft 
 claim to Meflena ; but, I believe, this may fuifice. 
 
 Those, who would counfel us to make a peace, alledge, 
 that it does not become the unfortunate and happy to rea- 
 fon in the fame manner 5 but, in the prefent conjundure, 
 take prudent advice, obey neceflity, and not attempt things 
 beyond our power ; nor have fo much equity tenacioufly in 
 view, as utility. In other regards, I agree with thefe men ; 
 but that utility fhould ever be preferred to juftice, is what 
 they can never perfuade me to by any arguments : for, m 
 this fentiment, I fee all laws were firft enadled, that good 
 and wife men judged noble adions deferving of honour; 
 that the beft governed cities ever obferved this rule, and 
 ftruggled to conclude wars by the merits of juftice and 
 equity ; in fine, that the whole race of mankind are pre- 
 ferved by juftice, but deftroyed and diflblved by injufticc 
 and cowardice : wherefore they ought never to defpond, 
 who fight on the fide of juftice, but rather the opprcflbrs, 
 
 K 4 and 
 
■ liy I I'C 
 
 136 The ORATIONS 
 
 and fuch as know not how to bear profperity and power 
 with moderation. We fhould likewife confider this, that 
 all are agreed about our right, but we difpute about the 
 utility. Now, two goods being propofed, the one evident, 
 the other uncertain, is it not folly to refufe what is confef- 
 fedly a good, and purfue a doubtful one? the difference 
 likewife in the option betwixt them being fo great. My 
 difcourfe exhorts you to quit nothing of your right, nor 
 make the city obnoxious to difgrace and infamy ; but brave- 
 ly to face danger, in hope we (hall have better fuccefs in the 
 caufe of juflice, than our enemies in the defign of oppref- 
 fion. Others advife you to abandon MefTena ; and if you 
 commit an injuftice againft yourfelves, perhaps you will be 
 deprived of imaginary utility, as well as your right, and 
 whatever cKe you may exped ; for it does not appear, that 
 though we ihould comply with what is commanded, that 
 we (hall have a fure lafting peace. You are not igno- 
 rant, I judge, that all men reafon with thofe who re- 
 in ftrate againft injuftice ; but are apt, when they find 
 ready compliance, to impofe further and more hard com- 
 mands than they at firft defigned : fo that it commonly hap- 
 pens, fuch obtain a more reafonable peace, who make a 
 brave refiftance, than fuch as too weakly fubmit to impofi- 
 tions. 
 
 But, to the end I may not dwell too long upon this fub- 
 jea, I will nov/ ufe the fimpleft arguments. If there was 
 no inftance that the unfortunate had ever recovered them- 
 felves, or got the better of their enemies, I fhould not en- 
 courage you to hope for what had never happened ; but if 
 it has often fallen out, that the ftronger has been conquered 
 by the weaker, and the befiegers been deftroyed by the be- 
 fieged, why (hould not our prcfent circumftances admit a 
 change ? I have indeed no examples to produce of this 
 kmd m our city; for, in former times, none ever made an 
 incurfion into this territory, who were powerfuller than 
 we. In regard of other cities, many examples may be 
 drawn from them, and efpecially from the city of Athens j 
 
 for 
 
 p 
 
 i/tfr 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 137 
 
 for we fhall find, that, after they afTumed authority over 
 others, they were obnoxious to the cenfure of the reft of 
 Greece ; but that whenever they puniflied oppreflive ag- 
 greflbrs, they were ever applauded by all men. Should I 
 mention here the antient hazards they have run againft the 
 Amazons, the Thracians, and Peloponnefians, who, with 
 Euryftheus, made an incurfion into their country, I fhould 
 not unjuftly, perhaps, be thought to fpeakof tranfa6lions 
 that are at an immoderate diftance of time. But who is ig- 
 norant out of what calamities they recovered themfelves in 
 the Perfian war, and to what a height of glory they ar- 
 rived ? for they alone, of all who inhabit out of Pelopon- 
 nefus, obferving the power of the Barbarians like an irre- 
 fiftible torrent, did not think they ought once to reafon 
 about any commands ; but they immediately refolved to de- 
 fert their city, rather than fee it enflaved. Thus they left 
 their own foil, judging liberty their better country; and 
 fharing with us the common danger, they met with fuch a 
 happy change of affairs, that, having been but a few days 
 deprived of their city, they were, for a long time, lords of 
 others. Nor can we only bring proofs from this city, that 
 courage againft an enemy is falutary ; but even the tyrant 
 Dionyfius may prove it, who being blocked up by the Car- 
 thaginians, nor having any hope of fafety, but furrounded 
 by war, and hated by his citizens, had thoughts of efcap- 
 ing by his fhipping : in this circumftance, one of his boldefl 
 friends faid to him, that royalty was a glorious grave. Of 
 which advice and reproach he was fo fenfible, that, refolv- 
 ing on the continuance of war, he flew many thoufands of 
 the Carthaginians, made himfelf more abfolute mafter of 
 his citizens, encreafed greatly his former power, finifhed 
 his life as king, and left his fon in the fame honour and 
 authority he had lived himfelf. Amyntas, the king of Ma- 
 cedonia, had alfo a like fuccefs in his enterprizes; for being 
 worfted by the neighbouring Barbarians in battle, and de- 
 prived of Macedonia, he at firft thought of quitting the 
 country, and faving his own life; but hearing a perfon 
 
 praife 
 
138 The ORATIONS 
 
 praife what had been Taid to Dionyfius, and ch^inging, like 
 him, his fentiment, after he had feized a fmall forufied 
 place, and fent round for fuccours, in lefs than three months 
 he recovered all Macedonia; and reigning afterwards a 
 long time, he finiihed his life by the neceffity of old age. 
 I fhould weary youj if I examined into the variety of aa- 
 tient hiftory of this kind ; nay, if we refle£l: upon what 
 has happened in the Theban war, though we grieve for 
 fome events, yet we may even thence conceive better hopes 
 for the future : for, after they dared to meet us in our in- 
 ciirfions, nor dreaded our threats, their affairs took fuch a 
 profperous turn, that, tho' they formerly were fubjedl to us, 
 they now think it juil to rule over us. Whoevei; confiders 
 fuch changes of fortune, muft be very void of reafon, if he 
 thinks fortune will only fhew herfelf conftant in our cala- 
 mities. We ought therefore, I fay, to take courage, have 
 good hope in regard of futurity, knowing that fuch misfor- 
 tunes are redrelTed by good policy, and experience in war. 
 As for the fcience of war, I believe no one will difpute our 
 precedency in that ; and as for our government, I think, it 
 wiD be allowed by all the perfedteft. This, methinks, is 
 fuiHcient proof, that it cannot be but that we mufl have bet- 
 ter fuccefs than fuch as never made great account of thefe 
 
 advantao-es. 
 
 But many have an abhorrence of war^ and mention, on 
 this occafion, its viciifitudes ; ufmg, for examples, the ca- 
 lamities which have befallen us ; and they wonder, if any 
 will rely upon what is fo inconftant in its nature. I have 
 known many to have gained great happinefs by war, and 
 others to have been deprived of the pofleflion by peace ; 
 ior nothing is abfolutely good or evil ; but juft as men ufe 
 things and opportunities, there is a neceflity that events 
 {hould be anfwerable. It becomes, indeed, the profperous to 
 defire peace ; for, by that means, they probably may enjoy 
 longer a prefent happinefs ; but the unfortunate fliould turn 
 their thoughts to war : by ftruggle, adlivity, and refolution, 
 they may moft eafily obtain a happy change in their cir- 
 
 cumftanccs. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 139 
 
 cumflances. But I am afraid, left we appear a6llng other- 
 wife : when we had it in our power to enjoy our pleafures, 
 we often were too rnuch inclined to war; but fince we arc 
 fallen under a neceflity of facing dangers, we defire quiet, 
 and confult coldly about our fafety. It concerns thofe,who 
 Jove liberty, to avoid fuch agreements as are impofed, as 
 having a near relation with fervitude ; and then make a 
 treaty, when they are either fuperior to their enemies, or at 
 leaft equal to them in power : for all men have juft fuch a 
 peace, as they make a conclufion of a war. Wherefore 
 being perfuaded of this, we (hould not haftily make a com- 
 pofition, that will be attended with infamy, nor feem to 
 have lefs courageous fentiments for our own city's glory 
 and fafety, than we have had for the good of others. You 
 certainly remember, that, in former times, if only one 
 Lacedaemonian aiTjfted any of our allied cities, all adjudged 
 the fafety of that city to him. The greateft number of 
 fuch mens names any one may hear from our oldeft citi- 
 zens ; but I can number up the moft famous : Piedaretus 
 going in a {hip to Chios, delivered the city; Brafidas entered 
 Amphipolis, and drawing up a few troops of the beficged, 
 he defeated, at their head, numerous troops of the enemy ; 
 Gylippus affifting the Syracufians, not only preferved them] 
 but^ made thofe forces, by fea and land, which had been fu- 
 perior to them, all prifoners. And what a fhame is it, that * 
 your anceftors, fmgly, fhould formerly have been capable of 
 defending other cities, and all of us together not attempt 
 now to fave our own ? that they fhould fill, I fay, both 
 Afia and Europe with their trophies, in the defence of 
 others, and we now have fought no memorable battle, to 
 repel fuch open infults of our country ? that other cities 
 fhould have fuffered the fharpeft fieges for our government, 
 and we not fuffer the leaft diftrefs, to avoid the compulfion 
 ©f bearing the moftmanifeft injuftice? In fine, though we 
 ftill nourlfli horfes for pomp and pleafure, that we fhould 
 turn all our thoughts to a difhonourable peace, as if we 
 wanted the daily neceflaries of life ? But the moft infamous 
 
 circumr 
 
 \ 4 
 
I40 The ORATIONS 
 
 circumftance of all is, that we, who were thought the moft 
 patient of hardfhips of all the Grecians, fhould a6l in this 
 eiFeminate manner. Why need I make further mention of 
 the threats of fuch neighbours ? we only once have been 
 worrted, and yet have hitherto cowardly fubmitted to every 
 peremptory order of our enemies ; for how fhould fuch in 
 adverfity bear up long againft it^ Yet, who will not 
 blame us, if, tho' the Meflenians fufFered a fiege of twenty 
 years, we fhould, by a treaty. To eafily quit it, nor once 
 reflect upon our anceftors glory j but abandon, for words, 
 what they acquired with fuch labours and difficulty? 
 This fome are fo far from regarding, that, defpifmg all 
 ihame, they counfel fuch acflions as muft oveiAvhelm their 
 country with indelible infamy ; and they fo eagerly advife 
 us to give up Meflena, that, on this occafion, they dare to 
 mention our weaknefs, and the power of the enemy ; and 
 challenge thofe, who oppofe them, to tell from what fide 
 we may expert fuch auxiliaries, that we dare to exhort you 
 to the protraction of the war. But, I think, the greateft 
 and furefl alliance is, to adl juftly ; for the gods will 
 favour fuch, if we may conjedure by the paft of fu- 
 turity. Add to this, that, by refolution, a wifer ceco- 
 nomy of. government, and a determination of dying for 
 our country, we fhall recover our courage and vigour : 
 and, laftly, we fhall regain an honeft fhame of public 
 difgrace, which certainly concerns us more than other 
 men. In this circumftance of public bravery, I would 
 certainly rather fight along with Lacedaemonians, than af- 
 fifted by an innumerable multitude ; for I know, that our 
 anceftors maftered this country, not by being fuperior in 
 number to others, but in thofe virtues which I have 
 above mentioned. Wherefore we ought not to fear the 
 enemy for their numbers, but rather conceive good hopes, 
 if we more manfully bear our misfortunes than all others, 
 and continue ftedfaft and refolute in our city's laws and 
 cuftoms from its beginning. You fee them incapable of 
 bearing profperity ; nay, fo far from it, that they are full 
 
 I of 
 
 i 
 
 • — ,' 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 1,41 
 
 of diforder. You may fee fome of them, with their allies, 
 deftroying cities ; fome of them refifting fuch barbarity ; 
 fome of them ftruggling with their neighbours about fron- 
 tiers, rather than fight againft us. Now, what greater en- 
 couragement can thefe m^n expe£t, than the mifmanage- 
 ment of our enemies. This certainly ought to be an en- 
 couragement to us ; this will greatly affift us. But if it is 
 necefTary to fpeak about foreign aid, I think many will be 
 ready to give their beft affiftance. Firft, the Athenilns, 
 tho' they are not our abfolute friends, yet will do their ut- 
 moft in our caufe for their own fafety : I doubt not alfo, but 
 that feveral other cities will confult our prefent good like 
 their own. Befides, Dionyfius the Sicilian monarch, the 
 Egyptian, and all the Afiatic powers, as far as in them lies, 
 will readily affift us in this condition, if we behave bravely. 
 Laftly, the richeft of the Greeks, the higheft in honour, 
 and fuch as have the moft exalted, noble ideas, tho' they 
 have not hitherto fhewed themfelves, are our allies already 
 by benevolence. With all thefe advantages, ought we not 
 to hope well in regard of our future fuccefs in ? I alfo 
 think, all the Peloponnefians, and even thofe who were not 
 before, will now be our zealous friends j for they havegained 
 none of thofe advantages from their defection from us, 
 which they expedted ; but, inftead of liberty, the contrary 
 has befallen them: for, having loft the beft of their citizens, 
 they are fubjedt to the worft ^ and, inftead of living free by 
 their laws, they are now piunged into a moft dreadful 
 anarchy: and having been accuftomed to attack, along 
 wth us, other powers, they now fee foreign powers invade 
 themfelves ; thofe popular diffenfions, which they formerly 
 only heard of amongft others, they now daily experience 
 themfelves : and add to this, that they are fo overwhelmed 
 by miferies, that they cannot diftinguifh who is moft cala- 
 mitous amongft them. Nor is there -any of thofe cities 
 in fuch a flourifhing ftate, which has not neighbours who 
 will moleft them ; fo that their territories have been plun- 
 dered, cities erafed, private families ruined, all politic go- 
 vernment 
 
.* 
 
 142 The ORATIONS 
 
 vemment overthrown, and thofe laws diflblved, which 
 while they lived by, they were the moft happy of the Gre- 
 cians t in fhort, they are reduced to that mifer)' of diffi- 
 dence amongft themfelves, that they more hate their fel- 
 low-citizens than their declared enemies. Inftead of that 
 affluence which they enjoyed under us With protetSlion and 
 benevolence, they are involved in fuch colifufion, that thofe 
 who have fubftance amongft them, would rather caft their 
 riches into the fea, than impart them to the needy ; and 
 thofe who are in lower circumftances, would, fooner tharl 
 acquire riches honeftly, wreft them from the prefent pof- 
 feflbrs ; nay, negle£ling common facrifices, they afiaflinate 
 one another at the altar ; and more now, from one city, 
 go into banifhment than there formerly did from all Pelo- 
 ponnefus. Tho' I have mentioned fuch a number of ca- 
 lamities, yet thofe, which I have omitted, far exceed the 
 catalogue ; for there is nothing of mifery and diftrefs, 
 which they have not fufFered. Some are already wearied, 
 others fhortly will be fo, and feek out (bme redrefs of fuch 
 a deplorable condition. Never think they will be contented 
 with their {battered, oppreflive governments j for how 
 fhould thofejwho defponded in profperity, in adverfity have 
 conftancy and patience ? So that we not only may attain 
 vidory by fighting, but, if we continue quiet, we fhall 
 fee them changed, and thinking our fafety their beft pro- 
 tedlion : fo wide, fo juft a field have we of good hopes. 
 
 But I am fo far from inclining to obey the Thebans 
 commands, that, (hould nothing of what I have faid hap- 
 pen, fhould we meet with no afTiftance from any fide, but 
 fome of the Greeks would do us injuftice, others neglect 
 us, I would not even alter my mind, or repent of my 
 counfel y but would face all the dangers of war, rather than 
 make fuch a Ihameful treaty : for I fhould be afhamed, in 
 both cafes, if v(e either feemed to condemn our anceftors of 
 jnjufHce, as if they had not equitably pofTefTed themfelves 
 of MefTena ; or, if this be allowed by all, that we (hould 
 weakly grant oui adverfaries any thing, in this refpe<Sl, out of 
 
 cowardice 
 
 >- 
 
 / 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 143 
 
 covC^araice and daftardlinefs. But let us do neither of thefe 
 unworthy actions : let us rather confider, how we may run 
 the hazard of war worthy of ourfelves ; nor ever make 
 thofe, who have written panegyrics on our city, feem to 
 have done it with flattery ; nay, rather let us a6t fo, that 
 all their praifes may fall fhort of our real valour. I cannot 
 believe any thing of a more calamitous natui-e can befall 
 us, than what we now fufFer ; and our enemies will reafon 
 and a£l in fuch a manner, a^ will give us an opportunity of 
 recovering our condition : but fhould we be deceived in 
 our hopes, be diftrefTed on all fides, and notable to de- 
 fend our own city, I own it is harfh what I arti going to 
 fay ; but I will not fpare your fears, or a6t unworthily of 
 my own freedom : I fhall, by fo doing, fpeak what is more 
 proper for all the Grecians to hear, and fuitable to our 
 chara£lers, than what fome others advife you to. I fay then, 
 we ought to fend our parents, our children, our wives, and 
 the lefs ufeful citizens, to Sicily or Italy, fome to Cyrene, 
 and fome to the continent ; thefe places will receive 
 them willingly, furnifh them with lands, and all other ne- 
 ceifaries ; part of them out of gratitude, for the good they 
 have received from us, and others in expedlation of reward 
 for their having firft obliged us. I w<'uld have us, therefore, 
 who are willing to ftay behind, and are proper for the fa- 
 tigues of war, to quit the city, and all thofe other poflef- 
 fions which we cannot carry of^*; and, after we have feized 
 upon a place the beft fortified, and capable of maintaining 
 a defence, to fpoil and rob our enemies both on fea and 
 jj^and, until they defift from difputing with us our rights. 
 If we have courage to dare this, you will fee thofe, who 
 pretend to command us now, defcending to entreaties, de- 
 firing us to' accept of MefTena, and conclude a peace. For 
 what city in the Peloponnefus can fupport fo dreadful a 
 war as will be kindled, if you are refolute and coura- 
 geous ? Who, I fay, will not be afraid and terrified, to 
 meet fuch an army united, which has done fuch wonder- 
 ful things, is enflamed juftly againft the authors of our pre- 
 fent 
 
144 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 fent calamities, make no account of ^ their own lives, and, 
 omitting all other employment, attend only to war, and 
 watch the opportunities of a juft revenge. Add this, fo 
 diftinguifhed by courage and military difcipline, that no 
 nation on earth can compare with them. Laftly, who 
 will not be confined to one city, but who will be accuf- 
 tomed to live in tents, to march every-where at full free- 
 dom, and become neighbours to whom they pleafe j nay, 
 think every place their home, which is proper for carrying 
 on the war. I judge, if this report was only once fpread over 
 Greece, our enemies would be in great apprehenfion ; and 
 more fo, if we fhould at laft be forced to put this counfel 
 in execution : for what will be their condition, do you 
 think, when they will fufFer, and not be in a capacity to 
 retaliate ? In fine, when they will fee their own cities 
 befieged, and ours no longer fubjedt to that calamity ? 
 when they will perceive our fubfiftence, both from our 
 prefent ftores, and the d^ly acquifitions of war, while 
 their own will be clogged with many difficulties ; becaufe 
 there is a great difference betwixt maintaining fuch a brave 
 refolute army in open field, and a numerous populace at 
 home. What ftill will mod grievoufly aiflid them is, if 
 they perceive our fervants are diftinguiftied by their dex- 
 terity and plenty, while their own are deprived of daily ne- 
 ceflaries, nor in a power of remedying their condition j 
 but tho' they till their lands, lofc the harvefts, and, fhould 
 they negledl, be continually wafted with famine. 
 
 But it may be objeded, that, gathering their joint 
 forces, and making a common army, they will purfue us, 
 and prevent our defigns. Now, what can we defire more^ 
 than to fee them approach us, to labour under the fame pa- 
 tience of war with ourfelves, a body of men that will be 
 diforderly and ill-difciplined, and under the command of 
 different generals : we fhould, in this cafe, avoid a great 
 deal of trouble, and might force them to fight us upon our 
 own conditions, and not at their option. 
 
 The 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 145 
 
 Tue remainder of my tim^ would be all fpent, if I en* 
 Oeavoured at large to explain all our advantages: however^, 
 this is evident to all, that we have not been diflinguifhed 
 from other Grecians by the extent of our city, nor the num^. 
 ber of citizens ; but by our government, which v\fas mo- 
 delled like a well-difciplined army, that is obedient to the 
 commanders. Now, if we reduce to real pradice what we 
 have hitherto emulated and had in view, I do not doubt, 
 but we fhall overcome our adverfaries. We likewife know[ 
 that the antient poffeffors of this city entered Peloponnefus 
 with few troops, and performed by them glorious aaioias, 
 and dow^ATight wonders. It certainly is noble to imitate 
 our anceflors to recover our power and government, fince 
 we have met lately with difaflcrs, and endeavour to re. 
 afcend in glory as high as ever. But the greateft difgrace 
 of all will be, if, being confcious how the Athenians aban- 
 doned their city for the common caufe of liberty, we dare 
 not quit ours, tho' it be for the fafety pf oyr. very lives and 
 fortunes, with whatever Is dear and valuable to us. Me-' 
 thinks, we ought rather to fet an example of this kind to, 
 others, than imitate their adions. Add, that it will de- 
 ferve mofl farcaflic reproach, if the Phocenfes, on the great' 
 kmg's invading their territories, abandoned Afia, and be-' 
 took themfelves to Maifilia, and we fhew fuch pufillanimity 
 that we Will bear their diclatorfhip, whom we were accuf 
 tome^ to govern and prefcribe to. We ought not now to 
 pamt, in pur imagination, that day when we mufl be fepa- 
 rated from our dcareft friends and relations, but fixou; eye 
 upon thofe times when we fhall have conquered our ene- 
 mies, reflor^d our city to its fplendor, and receive again our 
 fellow-citizens ; when we fhall have fhewn to all, that we 
 Were undefervedly unfortunate, and were, in former times, 
 fupenor in dignity to others. But I have not fpoken this, 
 that I think we fhould immediately put my advice in prac^ 
 tice, or that there is no poffibilityof fafety without it: no, 
 it is to prepare your minds, and perfuade you, that fuch' 
 ^d greater diflreffes, ought to be undergone by us, rather 
 
 '^ than 
 
h6 The orations 
 
 than fubmit to our enemies difhonourable conditions, and 
 give up tamely Meflena. 
 
 Yet I would not fo earneftly exhort you to war, if 1 did 
 not fee, that, by this method, you will have a firm and 
 lafting peace ; but, by following others counfel, an infa- 
 mous one, and fuch as will foon be diflblved: for if w* 
 are to be neighbours to this city after it is encreafed, who 
 is fo ignorant as not to percdve we muft pafs our whole 
 lives in tumults and dangers ? Wherefore thefe warmcoun- 
 fellors of peace perceive not, that, for a fhort time's refpite, 
 they will engage us in a perpetual war and confufion. I 
 would wiUingly afk of them, for what objeas they them- 
 felves think we fhould refolve to conquer, or to die ? 
 Should it not be, when our enemies would impofe unjuft 
 commands on us, take away a part of our territory, free 
 our Haves, and introduce them into thofe lands which our 
 anceftors had left us, and not only deprive us of our juft 
 poffeiTions, but would plunge us in the loweft difgrace and 
 infamy ? Now, I think, to avoid this, you ought not only 
 to undergo a war, but, was it neceflary, banifbment or death 
 itfdf ; for it is better to did furiDunded with glory, than to 
 live difgraced, and humbly accepting others commands. 
 Finally, if I muft clearly fpeak my whole foul, it is better 
 our city (hould be erafed, than we inhabit it with the name 
 of flaves and cowards ; for it becomes thofe, who have been 
 die firft in glory amongft die Greeks, that they {hould chufe 
 one cf thefe two objeds, either to lead the reft in Greece, 
 or not to be at all, lying down, after all their toils, in the 
 bed of honour and immortal fame. Having thefe heroic 
 ideas conftantly in view, we ought not fondly to love life, 
 or tamely obey their didates, whom we ufed to command ; 
 but employ our thoughts about what moft becomes the glory 
 of our country, and not others advantages. All men fhould 
 not reafon in the fame manner, but make the memory of 
 their former a£lions the foundation of their refolutions. None 
 will ever blame the Epidaurians, the Phliafians, or the Co- 
 rfeithians, if they confuh nothing but their own eafe and 
 
 fccurity ; 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 147 
 
 fecurity: but the Lacedaemonians will not be pardoned by 
 pofterity, if thty feek their fafety by every method of a- 
 voiding war. If we cannot fave ourielves with honour, we 
 had certainly far better to nobly perifh. They, who i^Iory 
 in courage and virtue, fhould endeavour at nothing more 
 than ading worthily of their charader. Degenerate coun- 
 fels fhew the depravity of a city, as much as fear in battle- 
 decTares cowardice : nay, what happens in battle, is often 
 the caprice of fortune, but, in 2 fenate, each determina- 
 tion is an index of the mind ; fo that you here fhould take 
 as great care of what is decreed in this afTembly, concern^ 
 ing peace, as of what may happen from war. I wonder at 
 thofe men, who are willing to die for a private property, 
 and are not difpofed to do fo for the public good, for which 
 a brave and good man would dare any danger, nor difgrace 
 his city, or negled it, when it is ready to quit the high 
 rank in which his anceftors had left it. But let whatever 
 difficulties and dangers furround us, we ought to take care, 
 that we do nothing unmanly, nor allow our enemies an 
 unjuft precedence over us. It is, certainly, one of the lafl 
 difgraces, that thofe, who have been at the head of Greece, 
 fhould ever be known to obey others commands, and to be 
 fo inferior to their anceftors, that tho' they dared to die 
 that they might command others, not dare to do fo much 
 themfelves to avoid flavery. We ought likewife to revere 
 the Olympic and other general afTemblies, in which our 
 countrymen have been more intrepid, and deferving ^ffmi- 
 ration, than any others that have gained prizes. Into 
 which of them, do you imagine, they wilj dare to come, 
 defpifed inftead of honoured, admired before for valour* 
 and now contemned by all for cowardice ? Add to this* 
 feeing their fervants bringing greater facrifices and prefents 
 than they, from thofe lands which their anceftors had left 
 them, and hearing from them fuch bafe reproaches, as is 
 probable, from men who were once in fuch a fervile condi- 
 tion, and now upon equal terms with their mafters. Thefe 
 •ndignities we muft fuftbr, which no words can propefJy 
 
 L 2 cxprefs. 
 
148 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 exprefs. W^e fhould now coniiilt about this, and not ih.en 
 vainly grieve when it is too late. Let us now j rovidc a- 
 o-ainft fuch an event. It is a great infamy, not to have 
 formerly fullered even free pcrfon.s to ufc an equality of 
 flile, but now fuftcr the audacious langiiage of our very 
 ilavcs. We (hall feem, in foregoing time, to have been 
 vain boafters, but, in facl, no braver than others ; and to 
 have made our advantage of a fl^itious, and not a real 
 grandeur and gravity. Let us. therefore give na handle to 
 thofc who are wont to reproach us, but endeavour to con- 
 fute their malice by actions worthy of our anceftors. Re- 
 member your ancellors conflicts with the Arcadians, who, 
 tho* few in number, and but one thick in rank, conquered 
 many thoufands. Remember thofe three hundred, who, at 
 Thyrex, conquered all the Argives in a fet battle. Re- 
 member thofe thoufand men, who met the common enemy 
 at 'I'hermopylae, and, joining battle with eight hundred 
 thoufand Perfians, did not fly, or were conquered, but loft 
 their lives upon the fpot, where they were placed by their 
 country's orders ; who fo bravely behaved themfelves, that 
 ihofe orators, who are accuftomed to write panegyrics, can- 
 not equal their juil praifes. Remcmbring, I fay, fuch men, 
 kt us boldly enter upon the war, and not expe£l, as it were, 
 till fome others (hould apply a remedy : but fmce thefe ca- 
 lamities have befallen in our times, let us endeavour to put 
 an end to them ourfelves ; for it becomes the brave to fhew 
 themfelves, in an extraordinary manner, on fuch occafions. 
 Profperity hides bafenefs even in cowards ; but adverfity 
 manifeftly declares what every man is. In this circum^ 
 llance, we ought to evidence to all, that we have been 
 better educated and inftruded than others. We ought not 
 to defpair, but that fome good may follow from our pre- 
 Knt condition ; for, I judge, all of you know very weil,' 
 that many things of a like nature have happened to others, 
 which all at firll looked upon as calamities, and condoled 
 with them, but perceived afterwards, that thefe reverfes of 
 fortune proved the fuurces of the greateft happinefs. But> 
 
 why 
 
 
 
 I* 
 
 9 
 I 
 
 If 
 
 I 
 
 il.,- 
 
 if*-*. 
 7'r. 
 
 
 
 -•* 1'. 
 
 r". 
 
 oF 1 S C R A T E S. 149 
 
 "Why need I mention dlfl:ant examples ? We fhall And even 
 the chief cities, I mean Athens and Thebes, never to have 
 flourifhed and encreafed much in time of peace, but from 
 thofe misfortunes which they fuffered in war, and reco- * 
 vered themfelves from. By this means, one gained the 
 lead in Greece, and the other is now fo aggrandized, as 
 no one once thought it ever would be ; for glory and dif- 
 tincSHon arifes not from quiet, but from adioji and peril* 
 which you ought to emulate, and neither fpare your bo- 
 dies, your livesj or any other pofleflTion ; for if we can re- 
 cover ourfelves, -and reflore our city to its firft ftate, from 
 which it is fallen, we fhall even be extolled beyond our 
 anceftors, and leave no addition to our glory ; but even 
 make thofe, who are willing, doubtful how they fhall praife 
 us worthily. You likewife fhould not be ignorant of this, 
 that all will have their thoughts intent upon the determina- 
 tions of this aflTembly. Let every one therefore be afliired, 
 that, as if he were in an univerfal affembly, he will have 
 the eyes of all Greece upon him. Now^ it will be eafy to 
 confult as we ought : if we take the refolution of dying in 
 ^our own juft caufe, we fhall not only gain Jafling glory, 
 but we fhall live ever after in eafe and fafcty; but, if w^e 
 fear danger, we fhall involve ourfelves in irretrievable con- 
 fufion. Wherefore, exhorting one another, let us requite 
 our country for our education, nor be indifferent in her 
 difgrace and injuries, nor difappoint the hopes of our weU- 
 wifhers. Let us not fo highly, I fay, efleem life, as to 
 betray that glory, for which we have been fo juflly cele- 
 brated ; but believe it truly noble, and more worthy of 
 ourfelves, to purchafe, at the expence of a mortal body, 
 immortal fame, and acquire, by the quitting of life, that 
 honour and reputation, which will be tranfmitted down to 
 our latefl poflerity. It is better to purchafe everlafling 
 glory in this manner, than, for the gain of a fhort, mo- 
 mentary fpace of time, plunge ourfelves into perpetual dif- 
 grace and infamy. You will, methinks, be the mofl effi- 
 cacioufly roufed up to this war, if ygu place, as it were, 
 
 L 3 before 
 
150 The O R AT I O N S 
 
 before your eyes, both your anceftors and children ; the 
 former, as exhorting you not to difgrace the Spartan name, 
 nor their trophies ; and the latter, requiring of you thofe 
 lands their forefathers had left, as well as that authority in 
 Greece, and that principality which was your inheritance ; 
 whom, I am afraid, we can give no juft anfwer to. 
 
 I KNOW, long difcourfes are always fuperfluous ; let me 
 but add this, that tho' our city has been engaged in many 
 wars and dangers, yet no enemy gained an advantage over 
 us, while your armies were conduced by one of Hercules's 
 family. It is certainly now the part of prudent perfons to 
 liften chiefly to thofe in counfel, who have always been fuc- 
 cefsful in the management of their country's wars and con- 
 tentions. 
 
 V 
 
 THE SEVENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 o r 
 
 ISOCRATES. 
 
 THE 
 
 I 
 
 I M 
 
[ 153 1 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 ^T'HE intend of this oration is to teach national 
 "^ decency and moderation. He advifes the 
 Athenia?is to a prudent change^ cr new 77:odel of 
 go-vernment y a thing /which none of the fiibhc 
 orators dared to meddle with. Ifocrates^ like a 
 wife man^ faw^ that regular difcipline a?td obe- 
 dience were fo lojl in a corrupted ft ate ^ that there 
 was an univerfal contempt of magiftrates^ with 
 an unbounded licence and audacity in the popu-- 
 lace ; in port^ that all order was dijjhked : he 
 therefore endeavours to perfuade them to rcftore 
 ^ the form of govern?nent inftituted by SoloUy their 
 wife legiftator ; who made the happinefs of the 
 fate to conftft in the praSlice of virtue y and juft 
 obedience tofuperiors. 
 
 
 THE SEVENTH 
 
 Oration oFIsocrates. 
 
 I DOUBT not but many will wonder, what can be my 
 thoughts, that I fliould make, in this convention, my 
 difcourfe upon the topic of public fafety ; as if the city 
 was in danger, or its circumflances precarious, the' it has 
 at prefent no lefs in pay than two hundred gallies : add to 
 this, that it has peace all round, and keeps the titular fove- 
 rei^^ntyof the feas; befidc*;, has many allies, fomc of them 
 ready to aflift us, and others, in greater number, paying 
 taxes and obedient on command, 'f'his being fo, fome, 
 doubtlefs, would fav, that vou ought to be in full courage, 
 as if all danger were at a remote diftance ; and that our 
 enemies ought rather to fear, and confult about their 
 fafetv. I know, that you, reafoning thus, muft defpifemy 
 oration, and hope all Greece may be fubjecSled to your 
 arms: but I am appreheiifive, for thefe very reafons; for I 
 perceive, that many cities, which feem the moft profperous, 
 confult moft negligently the common good, and thofe, 
 •which were the moft elate, to have fallen into the greatefl 
 dangers. The reafon is, that unmixt good or bad is not 
 the lot of human nature; but imprudence follows clofe up- 
 on riches and power, as well as its attendant, luxury : 
 whereas, wifdom and moderation are the companions of 
 want and poverty ; fo that it is worthy doubt, which of 
 the two a difcreet man would wifli to leave his children : 
 for we may often fee, that, from what might appear a worfe 
 ftate, extraordinary good has followed ; but that, from pro- 
 fperity, as it might feem, human affairs arc wont to dege- 
 nerate 
 
 
154 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 nerate Into mifcry. Examples of this nature may be co!- 
 ledled in abundance from private ftations (for changes moft 
 frequently happen in them) ; but if any require more cele- 
 brated proofs, they need only reflcvSt upon what has hap- 
 pened to us and the Lacedaemonians : for tho' our city had 
 been evacuated out of fear of the Barbarians, yet, by cau- 
 tion, and attending to affairs, we fet ourfelves at the 
 head of all Greece : but when we thought we were ar- 
 rived at infuperable power, we had like to have been re- 
 duced to a ftate of captivity. As for the Lacedaemo- 
 nians, tho', at flrft, they came from inconfiderable and 
 fmall cities, yet, by military condudl and ftridt tempe- 
 rance, they made themfelves abfolute mafters of Pelopon- 
 nefus : after this, afTuming a greater authority than be- 
 came them, and ufurping the power both of fea and land, 
 they fell into the fame calamities with us. Whoever, there- 
 fore, is confcious of fuch changes, and that fuch confirmed 
 powers have been dilTolved, yet will confide in our prefent 
 circumflances, mufl be imprudent, efpecially fince our city 
 is not in a fimilar cafe to what it was then in formerly : be- 
 fides, the hatred of the Greeks, as well as the Perfians, is 
 renewed againft us, which formerly overthrew our profpe- 
 rity. 
 
 I AM Indeed doubtful, whether I fhould think that you 
 arc follicitous for the public good, or, if you are fo, are 
 ^ ftruck with fuch a lethargy, that you are ignorant into what 
 diforders our city is plunged. We have lofl all the cities in 
 Thrace, fpent above a thoufand talents upon flrangers, yet 
 we are fufpedled by Greece, and become enemies to the 
 Perfian. Add to this, that we have been forced to fave the 
 Thebans friends, tho' we have ruined our own allies ; and, 
 for fuch prcpofierous conduct, we have twice offered thankf- 
 glving facrifices. Even ftill we confult more negligently 
 about our affairs, tbnn thofe who are fuccefsful in all their 
 undertakings : now, we adi: thus, and neceflarily fuffer ac^ 
 cordingly ; for it cannot be expcded, that fuccefs fhould at- 
 t^'^d thofe, who confult not wifely about thefum of all their 
 
 admin i- 
 
 \^ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. i^^ 
 
 adminiflration : but tho* they prove profperous in fome ac- 
 tions, either by accident, or fome man's diflinguifhed vir- 
 tue, upon a new error, they foon fall into the fame dif- 
 treffes. This is evident by what has befallen us ; for tho' 
 all Greece was brought under our power, by tlie fea-fight 
 when Conon was admiral, and wife management of our 
 land-forces under Timotheus, notwithflanding we could not, 
 for any time,preferve fuch profperity, but we foon lofl, and, 
 as it were, fquandered away fuch happinefs 5 for we have 
 not fuch a wife government, as to ufe events to advantage, 
 nor do we defire to live under fuch a one. Now, we all 
 know, that profperity is not fecured by flrong fortifica- 
 tions, or the greatefl crouds of men affembled together, buA 
 by magiflrates and obedient fubjeds, who make the flate? ' 
 flourifh by the prudenteft oeconomy. The very foul of a 
 city is nothing elfe but a policy having the fame efficacy iru 
 the public, as prudence has in the body ; for it is prudence)) 
 which confults about, and diredls all, which preferves hap-V 
 pinefs, and avoids calamity. To this wife oeconomy fhould 1 
 be fubjeded laws, orators, and private perfons, nor deviate 
 from its maxims and diretStions. But our government be- , 
 ing quite depraved, we take no proper care, nor confider 
 how we may reflore it to its firfl plan and excellency. In- 
 deed, in courts of juflice, we accufe one another, and fay, 
 that we never were governed worfe under a democracy ; 
 but, in our private thoughts and fentiments, we love our 
 prefent form of adminiflration better than that left us by 
 our anceflors : concerning which I am going to make this 
 following oration, as I have declared before. 
 
 I FIND this the only method that can avert future mif- 
 fortunes from us, as well as remedy our prefent calamities, 
 if we, with unanimity, reftore that form of democratical 
 government, which was eflablifhed by Solon. Cleiflhenes, 
 who drove out our tyrants, and reflored the popular power, 
 recalled Solon's commonwealth to its firfl vigour. Now, 
 we fhall never find any form more calculated than this for 
 the people's jufl power, or more conducive to our city's 
 
 I interefl. 
 
y 
 
 ii,b the R A t I O N S 
 
 jntereft. This is the flrongefl proof: they, who lived urt- 
 der this form, did noble and glorious a£lions, gained the 
 approbation of all, and had deferred to them the fupremc 
 authority of Greece by free confent ; but thofe, who are fo 
 defirous of our prefent ftate, are hated of all, have fallen 
 into great difficulties, and were upon the very verge of the 
 greateft calamities. Now, how can any one juftly praife 
 or love fuch a policy, which has formerly been the occafion 
 c)f fo many evils, and now annually becomes worfe, and 
 moire difordered ? How can any help fearing, lelt, by ad- 
 ditional depravity, it may conclude by more calamitous 
 events than formerly we were expofed to? But, that 
 you may not only hear generals, but undcrfland particu- 
 lars, and make an accurate judgment of them, it becomes 
 you to be attentive to what I am going to fay ; for I will 
 exprefs myfelf as briefly, but as much to the piirpofe] as I 
 atn poflibly able. Our ancellors conftituted a republic, not 
 in title only the mildeft and moft popular, but appearing by 
 fatSl, and upon experience, fo : nor did they fo govern their 
 citizens, as to make them believe^ luxury and licence were 
 a democracy, and a contempt of all law, perfecSl freetlom ; 
 infolence, an equality in equity^ or the power of acftihg in 
 this loofe manner, happinefs : on the contrary, they judged, 
 they hated, and punifhed fuch diforders, and, by vigilance, 
 rendered all their fellow-citizens better and wifer. What 
 highly conferred to their wife ceconomy was, that they 
 knew perfedlly, that there were two fuppofed equalities ; 
 the firft, when all had an equal fhare in all things ; and the 
 fecond, when each had according to his juft merit. Now, 
 they were not ignorant of which was the preferable ; for 
 they difapproved of that government, which levelled the 
 good and bad indifcriminately, as being inconfiftent with 
 juftice; but chofethat form, which rewarded and punifhed 
 according to merit. It was in this fort that they fleered 
 the helm of public ceconomy, and did not chufe magi- 
 ftrates promifcuoufly, but exalted to power thofe who were 
 the befl and moft fit for public flations j for they judged the 
 
 mobile 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 \ \ 
 
 ^. 
 
 .1 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 157 
 
 faobilc would be fuch as were their governors : befides, they 
 judged this diflribution of authority wifer than by fortuitous 
 lots. P'ortune, they thought, prefided in fuch chances, and 
 ;thofe were often put in power, who defired an oligarchy ; 
 but, by a confiderate elcdion of the mofl worthy, the body 
 of the people might chufe out fuch as mofl fmcerely loved 
 the good of their country. The happy principle, which 
 reio-ned at that time, was, not to be ambitious of pofls, be- 
 caufe each was determined to do their utmofV for the com- 
 mon good, and fpare the public treafures, and not be extra- 
 vao-ant in particular, and plunder others ; not eflablifh their 
 own affairs by their country's robbery, but from their own 
 private wdi-managed revenues afnft the public on juft and 
 emergent occafions ; in fhort, not examine more into the 
 ftates taxes than their own annual income : fo that it was 
 more difficult to find, in thofe times, thofe who courted 
 popular promotion, than it is now, fuch as defire no more, 
 but are contented with their own fortunes ; for they di4 
 not think the care of public affairs of the nature of a 
 market, but a trufl which required the greatefl vigilance 
 and honour : nor did they fo quick-fightedly look ^bout 
 them, where their prcdecefTors had left fome ftock; but / 
 rather, if they had left unfinifhed fome noble work, which V 
 required a lall: hand to it : in a word, they were fenfible, 
 that the people, like an abfolute lord, ought to conflitute 
 the magiflrates, punifli the offenders, and put an end to 
 conteflations ; but that the affluent, and thofe who de- 
 pended not on necefTary bufmefs, fhould take care of the 
 public interefls, as their own, out of a principle of gene- 
 rofity, and love that applaufe which is given to fmcere me- 
 rit : on the contrary, if they aded ill, be expofed to the jufl 
 refentment of the public. How is it poffible, may I here 
 exclaim, to find out a flronger or more equitable common- 
 wealth than that which placed, in pofls of power, the mofl 
 capable of affairs, but conflituted the aflcmbled body of 
 the people difpofers of them ? 
 
 This 
 
158 The ORATIONS 
 
 This was the oeconomy of their ft ate. It is eafy, froth 
 this £bort fketch, to imagine, that they muft have governed 
 with great wifdom and prudence; for it muft be, that thofe* 
 who confult wifely about the whole of affairs, muft manage, 
 with difcretion, arifmg incidents. And, in the firft place, 
 as to what related to the immortal gods (for certainly they 
 ought to take the firft place), they neither facrificed to them, 
 nor celebrated their feafts in an unlawful or diforderly man- 
 ner, nor fent, out of a capricious humour at times, three 
 hundred oxen to a famous temple ; but, when their coun- 
 try feftivals occurred, negle(5led the yearly rituals : nor did 
 they (hew magnificence upon occafional feafts, and, in the 
 moft facred folemnities, fhewed a meannefs, and facrificed 
 bought cattle 3 but they were particularly follicitous of this 
 alone, neither to infringe their country's cuftoms, or add to 
 them. They did not think piety confifted in expence, but J 
 in altering nothing of the traditions of their anceftors ; 
 wherefore, their folemnities did not return upon fudden 
 dangers and diforders, but regularly, and with decorum ; 
 when they began to cultivate their lands, or get in their 
 harvefts. In the fame manner they governed their own af- 
 fairs ; for they had not only unity among themfelves, but, 
 even in common life, they took fuch care of one another, 
 as it becomes the prudent, and fuch as inhabit the fame 
 country. And fo far were the poorer fort from envying 
 the affluent, that they were as anxious for the profperity of 
 great houfes as their own ; thinking the flourifhing condition 
 of fuch their own happinefs. Thofe, on the contrary, 
 who were poflefTed of fubftance, were fo far from defpifmg 
 the indigent, that they thought the poverty of any of their 
 fellow-citizens a difgrace. They let out their lands, at eafy 
 rents ; fome they afTifted in merchandize, and fome in dif- 
 ferent manufactures. Hiey were not of fuch grovelling 
 tempers, as to fear either of thefe two cafes ; that they 
 might expend in public good their all, or, thus engaging 
 themfelves for others, might diminifti their treafures : but 
 they had as good hopes from their liberalities, as what was 
 
 in 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 L. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. I rg 
 
 in their chefts ; for they faw the citizens, who then had the 
 fupreme power, did not abufe thefe favoursybut were grate- 
 ful, and fubmiftive to the laws. So far were they from af- 
 fifting others in any injuftice done the great, that they were 
 enflamed againft fuch criminals more than had it been done 
 to themfelves ; and believed, that the poorer fort were more 
 injured by the knavifti behaviour of particulars, than even 
 the rich, who might fuffer by it ; that the rich, indeed, by 
 being deprived of fome gain, were only flightly incommoded 
 in their revenues ; but that, ftiould the poorer be deprived 
 of their aftiftance, they muft all be reduced to the laft ex- 
 tremity. For this reafon, no one concealed his money^ 
 nor was unwilling to confer favours on others ; but were 
 more pleafed to fee thofe who took their money on intereft 
 than thofe who came to make full payment. But this con- 
 dud fucceeded as wife men would wifli j for they both be- 
 nefited the public, and employed profitably their own fub- 
 ftance. But the chief of all was, that they converted toge- 
 ther on the terms of amity j for all pofleffions were fecure 
 to thofe who poffefTed them juftly, and the ufe of them wa« 
 equitably open to all citizens. 
 
 Perhaps fome will find fault with what I have faid, be- 
 caufe I praife the a£lions which were done in thofe times, 
 but do not mention the caufes why they were fo happy in 
 public and private. Tho\ I think, I have hinted fome- 
 thing of this, yet I fliall endeavour to fpeak more diR'mSily 
 upon this fubjed. They had not a variety of teachers, as / 
 we have now, and, as foon as they became men, were left 
 to their full liberty ; but, in the bloom of their life, had 
 more care beftowed upon them than before ; for our pro- 
 genitors laid the interefts of virtue fo to heart, that they 
 appointed the Areopagus to infped the decency of people's 
 manners j which dignity none could arrive at, but thofe 
 who had been honourably born, had ftiewn diftinguiftied 
 virtue and moderation, as became thofe who were to fit in 
 the fupreme place of judicature ofill Greece. 
 
 We 
 
> 
 
 ^ 
 
 i6o The ORATIONS 
 
 We may judge of the truth of v/hat I have aflcrted, by 
 thofe who pref^ded then, and thofe who fit there now) for 
 we may fee all- thofe, who participate of this honour, tho* 
 they gre infuiTerable in other regards, as foon as they enter 
 the Areopagus, rtTifting their own natures, and rather 
 obeying the laws there, than their own perverfe difpofi- 
 tion^ : fuch a horror our anceilors left in that facred place 
 of all crimes, and fuch. a remembrance of virtue and tem^ 
 perance ! They therefore, as I faid, made this fenate the 
 guardian of good manners : they judged, like wife men, 
 that thofe were deceived, who thought the beft men were 
 formed where there was the greatefl accuracy of laws ; for 
 there iii no difficulty in having them alike over ail Greece, 
 by the eafy communication of letters. But virtue does not 
 arife from fuch theory, but from habit and daily practice • 
 for, by regular manners, a great nurtiber muft become a^ 
 ]ike, in refpecl of what they have been intruded in: where- 
 as, multitude and exadnefs of laws is a proof, that the city 
 is not wifely governed ; for when there are neceflary huU 
 warks, as it were, againft vice, many laws muft be the 
 confeqiience : but prudent ftates ought not to have theic 
 piazzas filled with edicts, but the minds of the citizens with 
 folid juftice ; for virtuous conduct, and not public decrees,, 
 fenders a nation happy : in a word, the viciouj.and ill-edu-, 
 cated will dare to tranfgrefs againft the befl of laws/ but 
 thofe im^proved by good education, will put in pradice what 
 the jufteft rules of their country require^^ They had not.' 
 fo much in view the fevere punifliments of the bad, ^s fp to 
 form their own minds, as to be worthy of ^lo penalty; for- 
 they judged this their own bufmefs : on the contrary, they 
 thought it became enemies to think of others torments. 
 They were follicitous for all the citizens, but efpecially the 
 ^J2.^ngcft i they faw thofe liable to the violenteft paflions 
 and diforders, and their minds requiring the beft inftruc- 
 t'lon, to be incited to the love of honourable adions, and 
 iuch labcLjis as procure reputation, true pleafurc, and glory ; 
 for thoiC only continue in the oradicc of thcfc virtues, who 
 
 are 
 
 c. 
 
 of I 8 O C R A T E S. i6j 
 
 are well educated, and accuftomed to noble thoughts. Now, 
 it was not poflible, that all fhould live exadly by the fame 
 inftitutes, fmce they were in very different ftations of life ; 
 but, as far as was confiftent with their different fortunes, 
 they required it of every one : for they brought up to mer- 
 chandize and hufbandry fuch as were of the poorer fort ; 
 knowings that indigence is the attendant upon lazinefs, but 
 wicked adions come from poverty. By removing the 
 caufes, they thought they deftroyed the very roots of evil : 
 but thofe who had a competency, they exercifed in horfe- 
 manfhip, in gymnaflic games, and philofophy ; for they 
 perceived by thisceconomy, that fome arrived at the greatefl 
 excellency, and others abflained from the greatefl part of 
 evils. And tho' they ratified thefe rules by laws, they were 
 not negligent of the remainder of their lives ; for^ dividing 
 the city into wards, and the country into tribes, they in- 
 fpeded the lives of all, and brought the difobedient and 
 irregular before juftice* This court admonifhed fome, 
 threatened others, and punifhed, as it was convenient, the 
 obftinate. They well knew there were two difpofitions, 
 the one inclining to injuftice^ and the other to integrit)' ; 
 for in thofe cities, wherein there is neither a prifon^ nor pu- 
 niiliment of diforders^ nor accurate fentences in law, even 
 the good become depraved by example : but where injuftice 
 can never be concealed, nor, when it is known, go unpu- 
 niflied, all vices, by degrees, were baniflied in fuch well- 
 governed cities. It was by a convidion of this^ that they 
 reftrained their citizens from vices, both by punifhment and 
 vigilance j for tranfgrelTors of the laws were fo far from 
 being hid to them, that they even perceived before-hand 
 when the efteemed honeft were going to commit difgrace- 
 ful adions. Wherefore, the youth did not pafs whole days 
 in gaming^ hearing players on wind-inftruments, or in fuch 
 aflemblies as they now trifle away their time in ; but they 
 were ftudious of thofe inflrudions which were appointed 
 them^ admiring and feeking the converfation of fuch as ex* 
 celled in them ; and they fo (hunned the public forum, that, 
 
 M 4 
 
162' The © ft A t I O N S 
 
 if they were occafionally forced to pafs through it, they did 
 fo with great retinue and modefty. They likewife thought 
 it then a greater difgrace to contradidl or reproach their el- 
 ders, than it is thought now to infult parents ; for not even 
 a modeft fervant would be feen to eat or drink in a public- 
 houfe. They ftudied .gravity, and not a faucy, audacious 
 contumely ; and they then thought low fcoundrels thofe 
 who love indecent jefts and farcafms, and are now efteemed 
 wits for it. But let me not be thought morofe againft our 
 ^ youth : no, I do not judge them authors of our prefent cir- 
 cumftances. I know, that moft of them take no pleafurc 
 in the management, if it may be called fo, of our public 
 affairs, tho' it gives them the liberty of abandoning them- 
 felves to all luxury : fo that it would be unjuft to impute 
 our unhappinefs to them, but, more reafonably, to fuch as 
 governed our city a while ago ; it was they who reduced our 
 ftate to this contemptible condition, and diflblved all the 
 power of our former good government ; during the time of 
 which wife oeconomy, neither law-fuits, or exa£lions, not 
 poverty, or wars, oppreffed our cities ; but we were in con- 
 cord among ourfelves, and at peace with our neighbours : 
 for our anceftors behaved themfelves with fidelity towards 
 the Greeks, and with courage towards the Barbarians ; they 
 iaved the firft, and afflidled the others with fuch lofTes, that 
 they were glad to remain ftill, if they might efcape fuiFer- 
 ing the like. Wherefore, our anceftors lived with that fe- 
 cunty, that they had finer and better furniftied houfes upon 
 their own lands, than in the city : fo that many of the citi- 
 zens did not chufe to come even at the public feafts, but 
 chofe to pafs them at their houfes, rather than partake of 
 the public pomp and munificence. Nor did they, in their 
 public fpe£lacles, which their countrymen came to, behave 
 in a luxurious or proud, but a wife and rational manner 5 
 for they did not judge of happinefs by pomps, by public 
 dancings, or fuch fhewy pride, but by living temperately, 
 employing well every day, and by none of the citizens 
 wanting what was neceflary. By this wife ceconomy wc 
 
 may 
 
 of I S Gt ft A T E: g. 16^ 
 
 fhzy heA j^^ge of a well-governed ftate, and not by a proud^ 
 oppreilive management* Now, who is there poftefTed of a 
 degree of wifdom, who is not afHided to fee the prefent 
 condition of our affairs ; while fonie of the citizens^ whe- 
 tiier they have a competent qualification by eftate and edu-" 
 cation, or not, ftand candidates for public employments^ go- 
 vern and manage the Grecian fleets, dance publicly in em^ 
 broidered vefts, and pafs the winter-feafon ift fuch diverfions^ 
 as I am afliamed to mention, with other inconfift^ncies in- 
 numerable in our republic, which are the caufe of great in- 
 famy to the city ? nothing of which happened during our 
 former wife fenate ; for it freed the poor from their diftreflcf 
 by beneficence, and the concurrent afliftances of the rich^ 
 and the youth from vices, by care and diligent inftrudlionsj 
 but kept within bounds the avaricious magiftrate, by purtifli- 
 tnent, and infpedlion into all injuftice. The elders were 
 pufhed on to vigilance by various honours, and the re\'e- 
 rence of youth. Now, what form of government could be 
 more valuable than this, which took fuch diligent care of 
 all ? We have mentioned, I believe, moft of the happjr 
 circumftances of that time; but what has been omit- 
 ted, it is an eafy matter to guefs at by what has been faid 
 already. 
 
 Some have heard me explain thefe truths before, have 
 praifed me fuperlatively, and admired our anceftors, becaufis 
 they governed our city in fuch a manner, but did not think 
 I fliould ever perfuade you to follow the example ; on the 
 contrary, that you knowingly would continue, by the force 
 of cuftom, in the fame difficulties^ rather than, by return- 
 ing to fo wife a form, lead a more virtuous and rational life. 
 They faid, I incurred the danger^ by advifuig what was 
 beft, of becoming odious to you, and be thought to defign 
 an oligarchy. If I had not fpoken of evident fads, but of 
 unexperienced novelties, and had counfellcd you to model 
 the government accordingly, by an eledion of fcribes and 
 counfellors, by whom formerly the people's authority was 
 ♦verthrownj I juftly Khould undergo fuch a cenfure. But 
 
 M 2 I have 
 
i64 The ORATIONS 
 
 I have faid nothing of this nature, but have reafoned (rofd 
 an ceconomy well known, and clear by hiftory to all ; 
 which, all are perfuaded, was your paternal government, 
 and the caufe of the greateft felicities to our city, and all 
 Greece. Add to this, a government inftituted by thofe 
 men, whom all will acknowledge to have been the jufteft 
 and wifeft of our citizens in any age. Wherefore, may the 
 greateft of calamities befall me, if, while I only prcpofc 
 this wife government, I have an intention of any innova- 
 tion ! But from hence my defign is evident ; for, in moft of 
 my difcourfes, I fhall appear to condemn oligarchies and 
 y' oppreflions, but continually to praife democracies : not all 
 indeed, but fuch as are well inftituted ; not by chance, but 
 upon the principles of juftice and reafon. I know per- 
 fedllv, that your anceftors, by this ceconomy, excelled o- 
 thers ; and that the Lacedaemonians have flouriftied parti- 
 cularly on account of their ftngular adherence to popular 
 intereft and authority. In the choice of magiftrates, and 
 their daily life, as well as other inftitutes, we may fee, that 
 an equality and fimilitude of condition prevails among 
 them; which oligarchies are averfe to; but thofe, who live 
 in a popular ftate, conftantly encourage it. 
 
 Now, we ftiall find, upon reflc£lion, that democracies, 
 more than oligarchies, have made the fplendideft and moft 
 flouriftiing cities : fo that even your prefent republic, which 
 all find fault with, if compared with your former, may yet 
 feem divinely inftituted, in comparifon of our ftate under the 
 thirty tyrants. I am refolved, that tho* I (hould be thought 
 to fpeak foreign to my purpofe, I will manifeft and declare 
 how much our government differs from that of our ancef- 
 tors, that no one may imagine, I defign to aggravate the 
 faults of the populace ; and, if they have done any thing 
 in a grave and decent manner, pafs it by. Now, this part 
 of my difcourfe will neither be long, or ufelefs to my hear- 
 ers. After we had loft our fliips at the Hellefpont, and our 
 city was involved in thofe calamities, which you all know, 
 who did not perceive, that thofe of the elders, who were moft 
 
 afFedlionate 
 
 cf I S O C RATES. 165 
 
 afFeAlonate of the people, were ready to fufFer any thing, 
 rather than obey foreign command ? for they judged it aa 
 infamy, ftiould they fee that city, which had been at the 
 head of Greece, fubjeiEl to thofe who were wont to be de- 
 pendent : on the contrary, thofe who are defirous of an oli- 
 garchy, were ready to demolifti their walls, and accept of 
 flavery ; befides, when the people were mafter s of the ftate, 
 we had our garifons in others towns; but when th% thirty 
 tyrannized, the enemy was pofTefled of feveral of ours, 
 and, after that time, the Lacedaemonians became your maf- 
 ters : yet no fooner the baniflied being returned, dared to 
 fight, and Conon got the better in a fea-engagement, but 
 cmbafiadors were immediately fent to us, and we were of- 
 fered the command at fea. This every one of our cotem- 
 poraries is fenfible of; for our antient democracy fo dec(K 
 rated the city with temples, and ftated fecrifices, that, at 
 this very day, ftrangers, who vifit it, think it not gnly 
 worthy of being at the head of Greece, but of all other na- 
 tions : but the thirty negledled fome facrifices, plundered 
 fome temples, and fold the building-docks for three talents, 
 which had coft the city at the leaft a thoufand. But neither 
 can I praife their mildnefs and clemency more than what 
 the democracy had fhewed ; for tho' they received their 
 power by eledlion, yet they murdered thirteen hundred of 
 their fellow-citizens, without the form of law, and forced 
 above five thoufand to fly into the Pyraeum : butthefe get- 
 ting a glorious vidory, and returning by force of arms, 
 (lew the authors of thofe calamities, and managed all things 
 among the citizens with that equity and juftice, that thofe 
 who had joined with the tyrants, had equal liberty and pro- 
 perty with thofe who had recovered their rights by vidlory. 
 But this is the nobleft and moft glorious proof of the peo- 
 ple's moderation ; for thofe who had continued in the city, 
 having borrowed a hundred talents to carry on the fiege a- 
 gainft thefe who had poftefled themfelves of the Pyraeum, a 
 general alTembly being called about the payment of that mo- 
 ney, and fome faying it was but juft, that the befiegers^ aad 
 
 M 3 not 
 
i66 -The ORATIONS 
 
 not the befieged, Ihould pay this fum to their allies, the 
 people ftill decreed the payment fhould be common. By 
 this conduct, they caufed fuch an union, and fo far recof 
 vered the ruined ftate of the city, that the Lacedaemonians, 
 who were very near giving abfolute law to our city during 
 - the oligarchy, came in a fuppliant manner to our demo- 
 cracy, begging of our city not to fufFer them to be opr 
 preflec^by the Thebans. Now, this is the fummary of the 
 ^. different fentiments of our two parties : the oligarchic party 
 ^ endeavoured to enflave their citizens, but ferve their ene- 
 mies ; the democratic chofe to govern others, and preferve 
 equality among the citizens. 
 
 I HAVE hitherto explained myfelf thus, for two reafons : 
 the firfl, to fhew myfelf not an abettor of oligarchies, 
 or opprcfEon, but of a juft and wife management of flate ; 
 the fccond, that an iJl-conflituted republic is productive of 
 Ids inconveniency than an oligarchy ; but that well-go- 
 verned ones are tranfcendently preferable, by being grounded 
 tai jufler principles, and more eafy and pleafant to the fub- 
 yccis. Now, perhaps, it may be wondered at by fome, why 
 I pcrfuade you to another form, when fuch generous, glo- 
 rious a6Uons have been performed by our prefent conflitu- 
 tion ; and why I have juft now fo highly extolled the demo- 
 cracy, but, when I happen to change my language, I inveigh 
 fo heavily againft our prefent management. I am even 
 accuftomed to condemn private men, when they do but a 
 few reafonable actions, and commit many extravagant ones i 
 ;ind I think them more negligent, and lefs worthy, than 
 they ought to be. In the fame manner, I difpraife fuch 
 children, as born of noble-minded, virtuous parents, yet 
 become little better than fuch as are infamous by their vices^ 
 tnd far beneath their forefathers excellencies ; and I cer- 
 tainly would counfel them to defift from continuing fo. 
 Now, having the fame fentiments about public as private 
 ^airs, I do not think we ought to be proud, or admire 
 ourfelves, if we are more regular and juft than men wno 
 fyff^ variety of calamities by th^ii' madnefs and folly, but 
 
 I rather 
 
 ft* 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 167 
 
 rather grieve and beforry, if we have degenerated from our 
 anceftors ; for we ought to emulate their virtues, and not 
 imitate the (hocking vices and tyranny of the thirty : be- 
 fides, it becomes us to excel all mankind. I have not ex- 
 prelTed my thoughts only in this manner at prefent, but 
 many times, and to many perfons before ; for I am fenfible, 
 that, in many places, the natures of fruits, trees, and ani- 
 mals, are different according to the various climates, nay, 
 very different from one another. But this I know likewife, 
 that our country is capable of producing men, not only in- 
 genious in refpe6t of arts and mechanics, but diftinguifhed 
 by their valour and humanity. A proof of this is, their ex- 
 ploits againft the Amazons, the Thracians, and all the Pe- 
 loponnefians, as well as thofe dangers which they ran in the 
 wars with the Perfians ; in which wars, both alone, and 
 with the Peloponnefians, by land and by fea, they con- 
 quered the Barbarians, and deferved the higheft praife for 
 magnanimity : which could never have been done, had they 
 not excelled in nature. But let not any imagine this a pa- 
 negyric, or encomium of our prefent ftate : fuch orations 
 are juft praifes of thofe who equal their anceftors virtues, 
 but a fatire upon fuch as difgrace themfelves by falling fliort 
 of them, which we do. I will fpeak freely the truth : tho* 
 we were poffeffed of this excellency in nature, we have not 
 preferved it, but we are fallen into ignorance and confufion, 
 ^nd the love of fordid pleafures. But I am afraid, fhould 
 I expatiate and enlarge my difcourfe upon our mifconducSt, 
 I fhould wander too far from my firft purpofe : concerning 
 this I have fpoke before, and fhall fpeak again, if I do not 
 prevail on you to corre£t your prefent behaviour. 
 
 After I have fpoken briefly a^out what I propofed In 
 the beginning, I will give place to any who will give their 
 judgment of our prefent circumftances. If we continue to 
 live as we do, it muft neceffarily follow, that we have endr 
 lefs difputes, frequent wars, and a£t and fuffer as we have 
 done in the late paft times s but, if we change our eecono- 
 my, we may reafonably expe£t, that our affairs will take as 
 
 M 4 *^PPy 
 
168 The ORATIONS, Sec. 
 
 happy a turn as in our forefathers time ; for it is confc- 
 quent, that, from the like infHtutions and manners, the 
 fame or the Hke fuccelTes and a<Sltons muft follow. Now, 
 comparing ours and our anceftors adlions together, we ought 
 to determine which we would chufe. And, firft, let us con- 
 fider, how the Grecians and Barbarians were afFedlcd by 
 the antient form of government : fuch confideration of the 
 differences muft contribute to our happinefs. Now, the 
 ' Grecians had fuch confidence in the managers of our public 
 affairs then, that moft of them put themfelves fpontaneoufly 
 under the patronage of our city ; and the Barbarians were 
 fo far from interfering in the Grecian affairs, that they ap- 
 proached not Phafelis with their long fhips, nor came down 
 with their armies within the river Halys, but kept them- 
 felves in profound tranquillity; but things are now fo 
 changed, that the Greeks hate our city,'and the others defpife 
 it. In regard of the Grecian hatred, you have had a proof 
 of it from their generals ; and the Perfian monarch, by the 
 letters he has fent us, fuiHciently declares his difpofition. 
 Let me here add, that the citizens of thofe times remained 
 in peace at home; fuch lovers were they of peace and hu- 
 manity ! but always conquered fuch as dared to invade their 
 territory. We do the contrary ; we never ceafe aiHiding 
 one another daily ; but have fo far neglefted military art» 
 that we dare not bring things to an examination, but by the 
 dint of money. In their time, no citizens were in want of 
 necefTaries, nor did one beggar difgrace the city ; now, the 
 indigent exceed the eafy. Methinks, the poor ought to be 
 ^xcufed from folliciting themfelves about the public, and 
 confine themfelves to their own daily cares. I have a firm 
 belief, that, if we imitate our anceftors, we fhall both free 
 ourfelves from the prefent calamities, and become prefervers 
 of all Greece. In this view, I have ventured to appear in 
 public, and pronounce this oration. Now, I defire, that, 
 upon a mature confideration of the reafons I have propofed 
 for a change, you will determine what you judge beft for 
 our cit}\ ^ 
 
 THE 
 
 i 
 
 i 4i 
 
 
 ■ 'i-'.i \ 
 
 ¥ 
 
 
 
 
 THE EIGHTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES. 
 
 Qy^ rue ?€hce 
 
[ i7» ] 
 
 .,n;^mim^mk^^mi^m^m 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 rHIS oration has two parts : the jirji is, t& 
 perfuade the Athenians to grant the ChianSy 
 and their other allies , their liberty ; and the fe- 
 condy to abjiainfrom the fovereignty at fea. A- 
 gainji this lajl point, Ariftides is /aid to have 
 publijhed an oration, which oppofes that of Ifo- 
 crates. Tlois oration is in the deliberative kind ; 
 for it advifes peace. The chief argument is 
 drawn from utility. There is a great beauty in 
 the exordium, and indeed throughout the whole 
 eration. 
 
 THE EIGHTH 
 
 Oration of IsocRATEs. 
 
 THOSE who come hither, are ufed to fay, that 
 thofe things which they are going to fpeak of, 
 are of the nobleft nature, and worthy the ci- 
 ty's utmoft attention : but if there ever was a time when 
 this might be faid of any affairs, methinks that I (hall now 
 handle, deferves fuch an exordium. We are affembled 
 to deliberate about peace and war, which are of the higheft 
 importance in human life, and thofe who confult maturely, 
 are more fuccefsful than others. The importance, therefore, 
 of our prefent fubjecSl is of this high nature. Now, I have 
 frequently obferved, that you make a great difference betwixt 
 orators, and are attentive to fome, but cannot fuffer the voice 
 of others. This, in reality, is no jufl wonder^ for, in former 
 times, you ufed to rejed all fuch as did not flatter your in- 
 clinations i which, I think, deferves an impartial blame : 
 for tho' you know many private houfes have been entirely 
 ruined by flatteries, and detefl fuch perfons, that, in their 
 private affairs, condud themfelves in this manner, yet are 
 not difpofed yourfelves in the fame manner, in regard of the 
 public management ; for finding fault with the fmcere, and 
 taking pleafure in flatterers, you feem to put more confidence 
 in fuch than in other citizens : for you yourfelves have been 
 the caufe, that the orators fludy and meditate not fo much 
 what will be beneficial to the city, as what will pleafeyour 
 hope and expe^ation ; for which a croud of them is now 
 flocked together : for it is evident to all, that you take 
 
 more 
 
172 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 more pleafure in thofe who exhort you to war, than fuch 
 as give you more peaceable counrds. The firft give yau 
 hopes, that you fhall recover your poflefTions in the loft cp* 
 tics, and eftablifh yourfclves again in the fame which you 
 had before. The fecond promife nothing of this nature, 
 but counfel you to be quiet, and not afFecl great matters 
 contrary to jufticc, but be content with your prefent cir- 
 cumilances 3 which is the moft difficult of all things to the 
 generality of mankind : for we fo lofe ourfelvcs in airy 
 hopes, and avaricioufly flretch after imaginary gain, that 
 the very perfons, who are poflefTed of the greateft accumu-* 
 lated riches, are not fatisfied with them ; but always defir- 
 ing more, hazard even their prefent pofTeilions. I am a- 
 fraid we are inftigated with a like phrenzy at prefent j for I 
 fee fome inflamed with a love of war, not as if vulgar per- 
 fons counfelled them, but as if they heard fo many oracles 
 of the gods, that all fhall fucceed to the wifh, and we {hall 
 cafily overcome all our enemies : but it becomes the pru- 
 dent not to be always in counfel (for that is idle and trif- 
 ling), but put in pra£lice what they judge befl ; nor ever 
 imagine they can judge with certainty of the event of public 
 counfcls. Let them know they reafon but from opinion, 
 and therefore let them acquiefce in the confequenccs ac- 
 cordingly. Neither of which prudent methods do you fol- 
 low, but are in the greateft diforder poflible. You have 
 met to chufe, as it becomes you, the wifeft mcafurcs ; and 
 though you do know what is beft to be done, yet you will 
 hear none but fuch as flatter you. But if you truly had 
 the city's good at heart, you ought rather to be attentive- 
 to thofc who oppofe your fentiments, than fuch as fall in 
 with your humours and wcakncfles ; for you cannot be ig- 
 norant, that thofe who pradlifc fuch artifices, are the moft 
 likely to deceive you : for artful flattery eafily clofes the eye 
 to truth and fmcerity. But you can never fufFer fuch pre- 
 judice from thofe who fpcak the plain, naked truth ; for 
 fuch cannot perfuade you, but by the clear demonftrations 
 of utility. Without this difpofition, how can men judge 
 
 of 
 
 f. 
 
 I 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 173 
 
 of a£lions, or probably guefs about futurity^ unlefs they 
 liften to oppofitc counfellors, and make themfelves equi- 
 table hearers of both parties ? I w^onder at our elders,, 
 if they do hot remember, and at our youth, if they have 
 not heard it from others, that we never fuffered by thofe 
 -who advifed us conftantly to peace i but, on the contrary, 
 that we ever were brought into great calamities by fuch as ■ 
 rafhly advifed us to war. But we vouchfafe not to remem* 
 ber any thing of this, nor do what concerns our prefent 
 fituation, but fill up the number of our gallies, make vo- 
 luntary contributions, and affift thofe, or fight againft 0- 
 thers, as it were, fortuitoufly. This happens to us, be- 
 caufe we do not, what we ought, take the fame care of the 
 public as we do of our private affairs. This you negledb ' 
 to do; for when you confult about yourdomeftic interefts 
 you feek out fuch as arc prudenter, and more advifed than 
 yourfelves ; but, in rcfpedl of public management, you 
 are diftruftful of fuch men, and envy them, but praife the 
 moft abundoned fycophants, who mount your roftrum • // 
 and imagine, that the intoxicate are greater friends of the 
 people than the moft fober and vigilant ; and the rafli and 
 frantic, better leaders than the rationally brave and coura- 
 geous : in fine, fuch as fquander away the public revenues 
 on worthlefs obje<Sls, more to be favoured than thofe who 
 have lightned the public's burden by their own generofity : 
 fo that it is a real wonder, if any one can hope, that our 
 city can profper and flourifh under fuch diredors. I know 
 it is dangerous and difficult to oppofe your fentiments; and 
 that, in this democratical ftate, there is not a freedom of 
 fpeech permitted, but to fuch as are the moft imprudent^ 
 and have no real benevolence for their country; and. in 
 the theatres, for the farce and comedy writers. But what 
 is the moft extravagant in your condua is, that you have a 
 greater value for fuch who expofe the cit/'s errors and 
 faults to all Greece, than thofe who are your public bene- 
 faaors ; and have fuch a rcfentment againft thofe who 
 blame, and would corredt you, as if they had done (ome: 
 
 particular 
 
 ( 
 
174 The ORATIONS 
 
 particular injury to their country. But this being manifeftry 
 (6j yet I will not digrefs from my intended fubjed^ ; for I 
 ««m come hither, not with a defign of flattering you, or to 
 procure for myfelf your votes, but of (hewing my real fen- 
 timents. Firft, I {hall mention what our confuls have pro- 
 pofed ; and then the other affairs that concern thecit)': for 
 wefhaJl reap no benefit from what has now been concluded 
 on in refpefl of peace, if we do not take prudent meafurea 
 in relation to the reft of our public ceconomy. 
 
 I FIRST fay, that we ought not only to make peace with 
 the Chians, the Rhodians, the Byzantines, and Choans> 
 but with a ll_ mankind ; and not continue thofe meafures, 
 which fome have counfelled, but ftand by thofe treaties, 
 which have been concluded with the Perfians and the La- 
 cedaemonians, fuffer all the Greeks to be free, draw our 
 garifons out of other cities, and let each be protected by its 
 own power. None will ever find out more equitable refo- 
 lutions than thefc, or more conducive to the prc^erity of 
 the city. If I here break off my difcourfe, I know I fhall 
 feem to prejudice the glory of the city ; if the Thebans re- 
 tain ThefpicC, Plataeae, and the other cities, which they 
 have feized on, contrary to their folemn agreements, and 
 we quit, without neceifity, the places we are in pofleflion 
 of. But if you hear me attentively to the end, I do not 
 doubt but you will think all fuch men guilty of downright 
 madnefs, who judge oppreflive and unjuft adions to be 
 gain ; who would hold by violence thofe cities, which are 
 the property of others, nor forefee the calamities, which 
 muft be the refult of fuch adlions. I will, through the whole 
 difcourfe, endeavour to convince you of this. 
 
 But, firft, let us confider the topic of peace, and reflect, 
 with attention, what we would moft wifh for in our prefent 
 circumftances ; for if we come, in this refpeft, to a clear 
 precifion, and often caft our eye back upon the hypothefis, 
 we fhall pafs a founder judgment on the reft. Would it 
 not fuffite you, if we fhould inhabit with fecurity this 
 city, abound more in all things necefiarv and convenient, 
 
 be 
 
 I 
 
 f- ^ 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 175 
 
 be at greater concord among ourfelves, and gain more c* 
 fteem from the reft of Greece ? Certainly it would : for 
 it is my thorough perfuafion, ftiould this be (o^ our citf 
 would foon recover its former flouriftiing condition. But 
 war has deprived us of all thefe goods and advantages ; it 
 has made us poorer, obliged us to undergo many dangers^ 
 fet us at variance with the reft of the Grecians, and has dif- 
 trefled us in all refpeds : but if we make peace, and be- 
 have ourfelves as folemn covenants require, we {hall pofTels 
 our city in all fafety, and be freed from all thofe wars, 
 dangers, and confufion, into which we have brought our- 
 felves by a contrary condutSl; and {hall every day make 
 advances towards a more flourilhing condition, towards^ 
 I fay, a greater affluence, be freed from tributes, {hip- 
 money, and the other burdens and charges of war ; and, 
 on the contrary, fafely till the ground, fail the feas, and 
 employ ourfelves again with chearfulnefs in thofe occupa- 
 tions, which had been interrupted by the horrors of war. 
 We {hall fee our city's revenues doubled, become full of 
 merchants and ftrangers, and replenifhed with fojourners,^ 
 which it is now almoft void of. What is ftill a greater 
 advantage, we fhall have all mankind our allies, not by com- 
 pulfion, but inclination ; not joining with us in the fun- 
 (hine of profperity, and deferting us in adverfity, but ad- 
 hering to us with that conftancy which becomes ftnccre 
 friends and allies. Add to this, that what we cannot now 
 obtain by war and expences, we {hall eafily then obtain by 
 embaffies and<:onventions. Nor imagine, that either Cher- 
 fobleptes will make war againft us for Cherfonefus, or Phi- 
 lip for Amphipolis, if they once fee us pradifing equity, 
 and not ufurping any thing which is the right of another. 
 Now, they are not, without caufe, afraid of having our 
 city for a next neighbour ; for they fee we are not content 
 tvith our prefent poflefTions, but are conftantly ddiring and 
 aiming at more. But {hould we happily change our man- 
 ners, and gain more efteem, they will not only abftain from 
 our rights, but make us fome conceilions from their own ; 
 
 for 
 
:;' The ORATIONS 
 
 for it will be their intereft, by guarding the authority of 
 our city, to fecure their own ftates : nay, we may eafily 
 receive quietly fuch a portion of land in Thrace, as not 
 only to remedy all our wants, but even fupply a competency 
 to thofe Greeks, who now ftrole without fixed habitations i 
 for if Athenodorus and Calliftratus, tho' one was a private 
 perfon, and the other a banifhed man, could found cities, 
 certainly we, who are fuoh a powerful people, may pofiefs 
 ourfelvcs of many fuch places. Now, it undoubtedly becomes 
 thofe more, who claim the principality of Greece, to be lead- 
 ers in fuch a(5lions, than at the head of a war, fupported by 
 mercenaries, which we are at prcfent but too defirous of» 
 
 Concerning what the cmbafladors promife, methinks, 
 what I have faid will fuffice, or perhaps fome others may add 
 ,from their own reafoning ; but I fhould think, you ought 
 not only to leave this aflembly, after a refolution upon 
 peace, but fhould likewife deliberate by what means we 
 may beft preferve it, and not do what we have been accuf- 
 tomed to do, that is, be reduced in a (hort time to the fame 
 llreights and tumults ; nor how we may only gain a refpite, 
 but a perfe(Sl freedom from the like calamities. But nothing 
 of this can be efFedlcd, until you are thoroughly convinced, 
 that tranquillity is more ufcful and beneficial than being em- 
 barraiTed with too many affairs ; that juflice is preferable to in* 
 juftice, and the care of your private affairs to the coveting of 
 ^ others properties : but none of the popular orators have dared 
 to fpeak to you upon this topic. I fhall make thefe heads the 
 greateft part of my oration ; for I fee our happinefs confifis 
 in a due care of thefe, and not in what we are now rafhly 
 about putting in execution. Now, there is a ncceffity,that 
 he, who will fpeak out of the common track, and would 
 change your fentiments, fhould touch upon many things, 
 and protra£l his difcourfes by many and long arguments, 
 and recall fomc a6lions to mind again, blame fome, praifd 
 others, and give advice in many inflances ; for, by all thefe 
 means, it will be difficult for any one to perfuade you to 
 keep a better ceconomy.to-The whole affair appears to me 
 
 in 
 
 li 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O G R A T E S. 177 
 
 in this light : all feem to me aiming after private emolument, 
 and that they may have more than others ; tho' they feem 
 ignorant by what methods they can purchafe this, and there- 
 fore differ widely in opinion about them : fome, indeed^ 
 have very jufl notions, and fuch as tend direcElly to happi- 
 nefs ; but others, fuch as diametrically depart from it ; 
 which happens to this city: for we imagine, that, if we fail 
 on the feas with many gallies, and force the maritime ci- 
 ties to fend tribute, as well as their refpedive deputies, we 
 have done fome notable matter ; but we miitake the truth : 
 nothing of what we expeded happehs ; but enmities, wars, 
 and large expences, follow fuch thdughtlefs enterprizes ; 
 and thisjuftly ; for in preceding times, hy filling our hands 
 thus too full, we fell into the utmofl dangers; and, on the 
 contrary, by our juft government of the city, affifling the 
 opprefTed, and not coveting what did not belong to us, we 
 had the principality of all Greece deferr* to our condudl; 
 tho' we now, for a confiderable time, have rafhly defpifed 
 our countrymen : for fome of us are arrived at that pitch 
 of folly, that we think, indeed, injuftice infamous, but 
 yet profitable, and of great advantage in public and private 
 life ; that juflice is indeed honourable, but unprofitable, and 
 rather conducive to the good of others tlian of the pofTeffors; 
 having a wrong notion in believing; that it can fo much 
 benefit towards riches, fame, or the fuccefs of adions or 
 happinefs, as heroic virtue, and its feveral degrees of per- 
 fedion : for, by the excellencies of the mind, and its noble 
 qualities, we acquire all that we need in life. Wherefore, 
 whoever negled the improvement of the mind, obferve not, 
 that they are carelefs of the juftnefs of their fentiments, or 
 of living more rationally and happily than others. I won- 
 der, that any fhould imagine,, that fuch as cultivate pietV 
 and juflice, fhould partake of lefs happinefs than the 
 ftianifeftly abandoned and wicked ; and cannot perceive, 
 that fuch mufl certainly be more loved and rewarded 
 both by gods and men : for I am fatisfied, that the latter 
 <>nly obtain true riches, and the former, falfe ones. I rea- 
 
 / 
 
 s^ 
 
178 The ORATIONS 
 
 fon in this manner, on this account : I obferve, that fuch 
 as love and pradife injuftice, and think ufurpation of their 
 neighbours properties the greateft advantage, are hke wilcl 
 beafts enfnared by baits, who at firft enjoy what they thus 
 meet with, but foon after fall %to the greateft miferies ; 
 but that thofe, who live according to the rules of religion 
 and equity, live fecurely in this life, and have better hopes 
 in regard of all futurity : and if this is not vifiblc in all, yet 
 it is manifeft in refpedl of the far greateft number. Now, 
 y- \ it becomes all wife men, fmce we cannot fee diftindlly into 
 j futurit}^ to chufe what is moft generally beneficial : but the 
 I abfurdity of thofe men is the moft flagrant, who allow juf- 
 tice to be the nobleft ftudy, and more acceptable to the gods 
 than injuftice, and yet that fuch as embrace it, lead more 
 miferable lives than fuch as embrace injuftice. ^p here muft 
 wifh, that it wer^s eafy to perfuade others to' the practice 
 of virtue, as it is eafy to praife it. 
 
 But I am afraid that I fpeak in vain 5 for we have been 
 a lon^y time corrupted by perfons, who are capable of no- 
 thing but deception ; who have fuch a contempt of the 
 people, and difregard of their happinefs, that, when they 
 have received bribes to declare war againft others, they im- 
 pudently aflert, that we ought to imitate our anceftors, nor 
 fuffer ourfelves to be defpifed, or let fuch fail unmolefted on 
 the feas, who will not pay us contributions. I would will- 
 ingly afk of fuch men, which of our anceftors they mean ; 
 whether thofe who lived in the Perfian war, or thofe who 
 governed the republic before the Decelic wars and troubles? 
 If they will have us like the latter, they might as well fay, 
 that we ought again to run the hazard of fervitude : if they 
 will have us refemble thofe who conquered at Marathon, 
 and thofe who were before them, how can they avoid the 
 juft imputation of grofs impudence, if they praife thofe, 
 and yet would have us to a6t contrary to their examples ; 
 and would have us to commit again fuch errors, as I know 
 not what to fay of ? I know not whether I ftiall be bold 
 enough to fpeak freely, as I am wont, the real truth, or, 
 
 out 
 
 / 
 
 4'.- 
 
 \i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 17^ 
 
 out of fear of your hatred, hold my tongue. But it feems 
 proper I Ihould treat of this topic, tho' I fee you more of 
 fended at fuch as blame your condud, than at thofe who 
 are authors of your calamities : but I fliould be afliamed if 
 I confulted my own reputation, or intereft, more than the 
 profperity and good of my country. It is therefore, I will 
 dare to fay, my duty, and the duty of others, who have the 
 pubhc management, to compofe not the moft pleafant but 
 the moft profitable orations. You muft be fenfible,'that 
 many and various remedies have been found for the' cure 
 of fuch difeafes as are incident to the body j but, as for the 
 mind, I will affcrt it, there is no other remedy for it, when 
 it is infeded by vice and error, than thofe falutary' moral 
 difcourfes as dare blame the hearers. In the fecond place 
 how abfurd is it to undergo cauftics, and the furgeons in- 
 Itruments, that we may be freed from pains, and yet rejeft 
 orations, before we know whether they wiU benefit us or 
 not? 
 
 I HAVE made this (hort prefatory introdudion, becaufe 
 I am determmed, in what follows, to diffemble nothing 
 but to fpeak my fentiments with all freedom. 
 
 For who is there, whofhould come as a ftranger hither 
 Who is uncorrupted with our reigning vices, but would 
 conclude we were adually mad, or infatuated ? who glory 
 in, and boaft of the aaions of our anceftors, and write pa 
 negyrics of their renown ; butpradife the quite contrary to 
 What they believed their true glory. They continued mak- 
 mg war upon the Barbarians, for the interefts of Greece • 
 but we have brought even thofe, who had eftablifted them- 
 felves m Afia, agamft our own countrymen. They freed 
 the Grecian cities, and, by their generous affiftance,had the 
 prmcipahty deferred to their merits : but we, though we 
 enflave them, and ad diametrically oppofite to our ancef- 
 tors, are offended, that we do not inherit their honours ; 
 Who are a. far excelled by them of thofe times, both in our 
 mmds and adions, as it was glorious for them to quit their' 
 aative city for public good, and beat the Barbarians by fea 
 
 N 2 and 
 
■ \] 
 
 «/ 
 
 i8o The O R A t I N S 
 
 and land ; but we are unwilling to run the hazard of fettle 
 for our own advantages ; and we exped to be placed at the 
 head of all, tho* we dare not in perfon to appear in the 
 .field : and the' we are rafh enough to proclaim war ag,ainft 
 all mankind, yet we take no precaution in exercifing and 
 preparing ourfelves for it ; nay, for this intent, we chufe 
 fu2;itives, banifhed men, renegadoes, and others ftained 
 with all manner of crimes, who, did any one offer then^ 
 larger pay, would as willingly, if not more fo, fight againft 
 us ; but yet we cowardly pay them fuch refped, that tho*" 
 they {hould violate our very children, yet we are afraid of 
 inflicting juft punifhment on them : and when accufations 
 come to us againft them for rapine, oppreflion, and inju- 
 rious arrogance, we do not refent it, but take pleafure when 
 we hear they ad in a fcandalous manner. We are, in 
 fhort, advanced to fuch an extravagance of folly, that, tho' 
 we want a daily competency, yet we will maintain ftran- 
 gers, and plunder and lay taxes on our allies and colonies, 
 ► Siat we may pay our common enemies. In fine, we are 
 ^ fo much degenerated not only from our famous anceftors, 
 but even thofe who were hated, that the latter, when they 
 declared a war againft an enemy, tho' the treafury was full 
 of filver and gold, yet would run the hazards of war in 
 their own perfons s whereas we, tho' we are in fuch vifible 
 poverty, and have fuch a number of idle hands, yet, like the 
 oriental monarch, truft our battles to hirelings. They, if 
 they judged proper to man their gallies, made ftrangers and 
 flaves their galley-rowers ; but they fent out their citizens in 
 compleat armour : on the contrary, we make ufe of fo- 
 reigners as foldiers, and force our citizens to work our 
 fhips, and row, as I faid before, our gallies; fothatthofe^ 
 who claim precedency and command over others, when at 
 any time they make a defcent upon the enemies territories, 
 come to (hore as galley-flaves ; but the foreign mercenaries 
 appear as defervedly well-armed foldiers. 
 
 Now, ihould anyone perceive the civil affairs of the 
 
 city managed with a wife oeconomy, perhaps he might hope 
 
 :: well 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. iSi 
 
 well upon that account of the reft ; but, upon this account, 
 he has moft reafon to be dejedled. Certainly, it becomes us, 
 we who glory in being the original inhabitants of this coun- 
 try, and to have firft inhabited this city, it becomes us to 
 fet an example to all of a regular and well-ordered govern- 
 ment ; but we manage our affairs worfe, and in a more 
 confufed manner, than thofe who have lately been formed 
 into a colony : nay, we affed grandeur, and nobility of ex-r 
 tradlion, and yet we communicate more freely to foreigners 
 this natural pretended honour, than even the Treballi and 
 Leucani the privileges of their obfcure country. Tho' we 
 have a multiplicity of laws, we fo little heed them (for if you 
 but hear one proof, you may judge of the reft), that tho' 
 bribery in a court of juftice is condemned to death, if 
 clearly proved, yet we chufe, too often, notorious offenders 
 for generals, and put that perfon at the head of affairs, who 
 is moft capable of fpreading the infedtion of corruption the 
 wideft : and tho' we affedt our prefent ftate of government, 
 as if the entire fafety of the city confifted in it, yet WjC are 
 fenfible, that our democracy has flourifhed in peace and 
 public tranquillity, but has twice been dillblved by wars, V 
 we are, notwithftanding, angry with thofe who counfel us 
 to keep peace, as affecting an oligarchy ; and imagine thofe 
 who incline you to war, lovers of a republic and liberty. 
 Tho' we are the moft experienced in eloquence and public ^ 
 events, yet we behave fo foolifhly, that we continue not 
 an entire day in the fame fentiments^ but even vote in our 
 public affemblies for the very thing which we had feparately 
 blamed ; and, again, a little time after, when we are at 
 home, we condemn what we our ownfelves gave fanClio^ 
 to : and tho' we lay claim to diftinguifhed prudence, yet 
 we make ufe of fuch counfellors, as any wife man would 
 have in contempt ; and truft the national affairs to fuch, 
 as no one would truft with his private affairs. But the laft ^ 
 inftance of our degeneracy is, that we judge the moft pjq- 
 fligate the propereft guardians of the ftate ; and though we 
 think our inmates like the patrons whom they chufe, yet 
 
 N 3 wc 
 
i82 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 wc imagine we fhall not be thought to refemble thofe, whom 
 we fo inconfiderately promote ; nay, we are (o different from 
 our anceftors, that tho' they elected the fame perfons both 
 governors of the city and generals of their armies, becaufe, 
 they judged, that fuch as fpoke mofl prudently in the rof- 
 trum, would probably reafon the mofl wifely by^themfelves; 
 yet wc are fo far from doing fo, that we vouchfafe to chufe, 
 for generals, thofe whom we fufFer not to be counfellors in 
 momentous affairs, as if they had not proper qualifications 
 and underftanding ; and we fend out, with abfolutc power, 
 tiiofe whom none would take the advice of, either in regard 
 of private or public concerns, as if they would become 
 wifer abroad, and would take prudenter meafures for the 
 common good of all, than for the execution of what is pro* 
 pofed in this fenate. 
 
 I SAY not this of all, but of thofe who are guilty of what 
 
 I have laid before you. I fhould fpend all the remainder of 
 
 the day, if I endeavoured to enumerate all the tranfgref* 
 
 fions, all the errors, in refpedl of our public adlions : per* 
 
 haps, fome one of thofe, who are mofl guilty of what I 
 
 have faid, will afk, with indignation. How then, if we con-» 
 
 fult the public interefl fo carelefsly, are we dill preferved, 
 
 and have equal power with any other city ? I anfwer, we 
 
 have antagonifls, who confult their own good no better than 
 
 ourfelves -, for if the Thebans, after their conquefl of the 
 
 Lacedaemonians, having freed Peloponnefus, and left the 
 
 other Greeks the exercife of their own laws, had continued 
 
 quiet, and we had committed fuch grofs faults, the mouths 
 
 of my interrogators would have been clofed,and we (hould 
 
 have been made fenfible how much better it is to a6l with 
 
 moderation, than be engaged in too many affairs. Now, 
 
 things are in fuch a condition, that the Thebans faved us, 
 
 and we, in turn, the Thebans ; and they, in fome mear 
 
 fure, make us their allies, and we them : fo that, were we 
 
 hoth prudent, we (hould bribe each other to call frequent 
 
 aflemblies ;,for thofe who mofl frequently do fo, are the 
 
 caufe, that their j:ivals improve the flate of ijieir affairs. But 
 
 certainly 
 
 of I S O G R A T E S. 
 
 183 
 
 certainly it behoves thofe, who have the leafl fhare of wif- 
 dom, not to place their hopes in their adverfaries miflakes, 
 .but in their own adlions and minds ; for whatever good 
 may befall us by others ignorance, itjnay fortuitouHy have 
 an end, or be changed ; but what good happens to us by 
 our own conduct, will be more folid and lafling. 
 
 Now, it is no difficult matter to refute cavillers ; but if 
 any one of thofe, who fland by, and are of a more mode- 
 rate difpofition, fhould fay, I fpeak truth, and juflly blame 
 our acSlions; yet fhould add, it were butjufl, that a bene- 
 volent corrector would not only blame our mifmanagementi 
 but fhew how, by abflaining from fome things, and purfuing 
 others, we may amend our difpofition, and put an end to 
 our faults : this reafoning would puzzle me, not only to 
 give a true and beneficial anfwer to, but fuch a one as 
 would be agreeable to your inclinations. Wherefore, fince 
 I have begun to fpeak clearly, I mufl not delay here to 
 open my fentiments on this head. I think I have men- 6 "S 
 tioned before, that it becomes them, who would be truly 
 happy, to be pofleffed of piety, temperance, juflice, and other 
 virtues. Now, tho' I am going to lay down a true method 
 how we may be the foonefl inflru£led in, and poffeffed of 
 thefe virtues, yet what I fhall fay may appear offenfive to 
 fome, and differ widely from the fentiments of othersxj 
 judge therefore, that we fhall govern our commonwealth 
 more prudently, be better ourfelves, and be more profpe- 
 rous in our affairs, if we quit our claim to the fovereignty j^ 
 of the feas ;) for this claim is the caufe which has thrown us 
 into our prefent troubles, and has diffolved the democracy, 
 during which our anceflors were the happiefl of all Greece, 
 and indeed has been, I will affirm it, the caufe of almofl all ^ 
 the calamities we undergo ourfelves, or have brought others 
 into. I know how difficult it is for him, who accufes a 
 form of government beloved of all, and vindicated by war, 
 to be thought to advance any thing reafonable 5 yet, fincc ^ 
 you have borne with what has been faid before, which was 
 true, but liable to odium, I beg of you, that you will hear 
 
 N 4 what 
 
i84 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 what I have now to fay, nor condemn me of fuch folly, aff 
 to advance before you paradoxes incredible, unlefs I could 
 give a demonftration of the truth of my proportions. Now, 
 i believe I can evidence that we neither defire a juft power, 
 or fuch a one as is poflible, or would be ufeful to us. 
 
 That we defire what is unjuft, I can convince you by 
 your own behaviour ; for when the Lacedaemonians held 
 the fame power, what declamations did we not make, whilft 
 we accufed their dominion, and faid loudly, that all the Gre- 
 cians ought to be governed by their own laws ? What cities 
 of Greece did we not invite to our alliance, when we purr 
 pofed to make war againft them upon this account ? How 
 many embaifies did wc fend to the great king, to inform 
 him, that it was not juft or profitable, that one Grecian city 
 fhould be miftrefs of all others ? Nor did we defift from 
 carrying on war both by fea and land, till the Lacedaemo- 
 nians confented to the univerfal liberty of Greece. That it 
 is not therefore equitable, the ftronger fhould lord it over 
 the weaker, we were fenfible at that time, and are fo now 
 by the ceconomy of our prefent republic. 
 
 And that we cannot eflablifh fuch a power, I think, I 
 can quickly demonftrate : for if, when our treafury con- 
 ta'^ied a thoufand talents, we could not maintain it, how 
 fhall we, in our prefent indigence, acquire fuch a fove- 
 reignty ? efpecially fmce we follow the very inflitutes and 
 morals by which we loft, and not obtained it. 
 
 But that it is not even expedient to accept it, were it 
 offered us, I think you may hence eafily perceive your- 
 felves. But I chufe to fpeak briefly on this head ; for I 
 am afraidj left I ftiould feem difpofed to fatirize our city, 
 becaufe I am often obliged to blame your condudl : and did 
 I fpeak in this manner before others of our mal-adminiftra- 
 tion, I fhould juftly incur the cenfure ; but, fpeaking thus 
 only to you, I do not defire to traduce you to ftrangers, but 
 perfuade you to abftain from difgraceful actions, and ^fta- 
 blifh peace (to promote which I have made this difcourfe), 
 not only in refped of our country, but of all Greece. Yet 
 
 there 
 
 }: 
 
 7M 
 
 *^1 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 1% 
 
 there is a neceflity, that they who admonifh as well as ac- 
 cufe, fhould ufe fimilar words, but fuch as will have very 
 different fenfes. Wherefore you ought not to judge in the 
 like manner of thofe who ufe the fame expreflions ; but de- 
 teft thofe who injurioufly reproach you, as ill-afFedlioned to 
 the city : on the contrary, praife fuch as admonifh you for . 
 
 your good, and think them better than other citizens ; and /^ 
 him the very beft, who can moft clearly demonftrate bad 
 adtions, and fnew the calamities which arife from them : for 
 fuch a one will moft eafily make you hate what you ought, 
 and love what is eligible. As for the harfhnefs of my pre- 
 ceding words, as well as of thofe I may ufe hereafter, I 
 hope this will ferve as an apology, 
 
 I WILL begin again where I broke ofF. I faid, you would 
 hence have the jufteft idea, that it is not expedient we fhould 
 retain the fovcreignty of the feas, if you confider the ad- 
 miniftration of our city before the poffeffion of this power, 
 and its difordered condition afterwards : I fay, if you con- 
 fider this in a parallel view, you will perceive how many ca- 
 lamities it has been the fource of to our city ; for it is certain, 
 that the then republic was as far better than the prefent, as 
 Ariftides, Themiftocles, and Miltiades, were mpre excellent 
 men than Hyperbolus and Cleophantes, who now harangue 
 the people. You will alfo find the people who then had the 
 power, neither additSled to floth,^ diftreffed by poverty, or 
 filled with vain hopes ; but, on the contrary, capable of con- 
 quering all who invaded their country, and worthy to have 
 deferved the chief honours for defending Greece ; and fo dif- 
 tinguifhed by their probity, that many cities put themfelves 
 voluntarily under their protection. But things having been 
 formerly in this condition, by fuch a wife condudt^ this 
 ufurped power has brought us into fuch a vicious ftate,as no 
 man will ever praife ; and tho*, by that form of govern- 
 ment, we conquered all the enemies who dared to invade 
 us, our prefent mifmanagement has fo debafed our citizens, 
 that they even dare not meet their enemies before their 
 pwn walls 3 and, inftead of that benevolence of our allies 
 
 towards 
 
 ^S 
 
l86 The ORATIONS 
 
 towards us, and that glory fpread over all Greece, we are 
 fallen into fuch odium, that our city was like to have been 
 taken, had we not experienced the Lacedaemonians, who, 
 in the beginning, had war with us, more benevolent than 
 thofe who before had been our allies; whom we cannot ac- 
 cufejuftly of having a malignant difpofition towards us: 
 for they were not aggreflbrs, but repelled 'our injuries, and, 
 after having fufFered many calamities, took fuch a refent- 
 ment againft us. And who could poffibly have borne with 
 the arrogancy of our fathers ? who, colledling out of all 
 Greece the idleft, moil cowardly, and thofe ftained with all 
 manner of villainies, filled with this fcum their fleets, and 
 expofed themfelves to the odium of all the Grecians ; nay, 
 expelled the \ery beft in other cities, and gave away theij- 
 inheritances to the very bafeft. But, did I dare to lay open 
 all that was done in thofe times, perhaps I might efFedl", that 
 you would take prudenter meafures for the future ; but I 
 ihould certainly thereby expofe myfelf to an accufation : 
 for you are accuftomed to hate the perfons who repre- 
 hend crimes, more than thofe who are the very authors of 
 them ; wherefore, fmce you are of fuch a difpofition, I am 
 afraid, left, while I endeavour to do you good, I may fuf- 
 fer evil for it myfelf; yet I will not entirely defift from 
 what I defigned to fay ; but I will omit thofe things which 
 are the moft grievous, and would wound your delicacy, and 
 I fhall only mention fuch actions, whereby you may per- 
 ceive the ftupidity and folly of thofe who had then the reins 
 of government : for they fo diligently fludied what would 
 render them odious, that they decreed the money arifmg 
 from taxes, after they had divided it into talents, ihould be 
 expended upon the orcheftra of the Bacchanals. When 
 the theatre was full, they did what I have mentioned, and 
 introduced the children of thofe who had fallen in war ; 
 ihewing, to their allies, the lucre they had gained by hire- 
 lings, and, to all the other Greeks, the multitude of or- 
 .phans, and the other calamities, which had befallen by their 
 
 avarice and injuftice : and, a<Sing in this mannsr, they rec- 
 koned 
 
 
 S, 
 
 !^^' 
 
 fef I S O C R A T F S. 187 
 
 toned the city fortunate, and many thoughtlefs perfons be- 
 lieved fo too. Thus they had no forefight of what would 
 happen upon this account, but admired and praifed the un- 
 juft riches which came into the city, and were fhortly to 
 moth-eat and deftroy thofe which had been juftly acquired; 
 nay, they fell at laft into fuch a negledfc of their domeftic 
 affairs, and an infatiable thirft after what belonged to others, 
 that, tho' the Lacedaemonians had invaded their lands, and 
 the Decelic wall was built, they manned their gallies for Si- 
 cily, nor were afhamed, while they fufFered their own 
 country to be torn and plundered, to fend an army againft 
 thofe who had never injured us ; nay, they even came to 
 jthat pitch of frenzy, that, tho' they were not mafters of 
 their own fuburbs, they hoped to govern Italy, Sicily, and 
 Carthage, They, at laft, fo far exceeded all mankind in 
 madnefs, that, tho' others are apt to be humbled and ren- 
 dered moderate by adverfities, they were not correded by 
 this, altho' they fell into more calamities, while they held 
 the fovereignty of the feas, than had ever befallen the city 
 in all former times. Two hundred of our fhips, which 
 failed into Egypt, were all loft or deflroyed ; at Cyprus 
 there perifhed a hundred and fifty 5 they loft in Pontus ten 
 thoufand native foldiers and allies ; but, in Sicily, they loft 
 forty thoufand men, and two hundred and forty gallies ; 
 and, laftly, in the Hellefpont, two hundred. But were I to 
 mention the other (hips which perifhed, five or ten ata 
 time, or thofe men that were flain, to the amount of one 
 or two thoufand, it would be an endlefs labour. Thus, 
 thefe calamities and deaths happening in an annual circle, 
 they raifed fepulchres yearly ; to which flocked crouds of 
 neighbours and other Greeks, not with an intention of la- 
 menting the dead, but to exult with joy at our misfortunes ; 
 yet they were ignorant all this while, that they were not only 
 filling the public fepulchres with the bodies of citizens, but 
 the tribes and companies, with inmates and foreigners. Wc 
 may know from hence the multitude of thofe who perifhed ; 
 for we (hall find, that the chief and nobleft families, which 
 
 ha4 
 
i88 The ORATIONS 
 
 had furvived tyrannical faaions, and the Perfian war, weri 
 entirely ruined by that government, which we are fo defi- 
 rous of. Wherefore, if any one would confider the reft, 
 and ref^r all to this as an example, we fhall appear another 
 people ; for we ought not to judge that city happy, which 
 X colleds a number of citizens from all fides, but which pre- 
 ferves, with all care, thofe who held it from the beginning : 
 we ought not to emulate fuch as feize upon a tyrannical 
 power, or fuch as ftretch their authority beyond equity; 
 but fuch as are indeed worthy of the greateft honour," yet 
 contented with the free, honorary rewards of the people. 
 ^.O^No private pcrfon, no city can acquire either a better, a 
 fefer, or more dcfirablc power than this ; by which rule 
 thofe conduding themfclves, who were cotemporary with 
 the Perfian war, did not live like robbers ; fometimes hav- 
 ixig more than enough, and, at others, being to ftruggle 
 with want of bread, and involved in fieges, and the greateft 
 of calamities: but they had neither a fcarcity of daily food, 
 nor fuperfluity, and gloried in the equity of their admini- 
 ,ftration, their perfonal virtues, and the enjoyment of a 
 happier life than others ; which their pofterity negleding, 
 did not endeavour to maintain the principality, but inveft 
 •themfelves with tyranny ; which feems to be near the fame, 
 but is widely different : for it is the duty of rulers to make 
 their fubjeas happier by their care ; but it is the cuftom of 
 ^ tyrants to procure themfelves pleafures by the pains ai)d labour 
 of other men. Now, there is a neceflity, that thofe who at- 
 tempt fuch adions, fhould fall in the damages attending on 
 tyrants, and fuffer themfelves what they make others fufFer 2 
 which has happened to our city; for, inftead of garifoning 
 other towns, they have feen others mafters of that which 
 belongs to them ; inftead of receiving the children of others 
 for hoftages, which were taken from their parents, many of 
 the citizens were forced, during the fiege, to inftrud and 
 educate their children in a worfe manner than was becom- 
 ing ; and, inftead of tilling the lands of others, it was not 
 permitted them, for fome years, even to fee their own. Now, 
 
 fliould 
 
 of I S O G R A T E S/ iSy 
 
 Ihould any one alk us, if, reigning for fuch a time, we 
 Would bear to fee our city in this deplorable cafe ? Who is 
 he, except he be entirely mad, or regards neither the reli- 
 gious rites, his parents, his children, or any thing elfe be- 
 side that time he lives in, who would dare to give his aflent ? 
 None of thofe fentiments ought we to approve, but much 
 rather theirs^ who have taken all poftible care of the ftate, 
 and contended not more earneftly for their own than for. 
 the public glory ; who, in fine, chufe a moderate life with 
 juftice, rather than great riches with injuftice : for our an- 
 ceftors, by behaving themfelves thus, tranfmitted down to 
 their pofterity a moft flouriftiing republic, and left an im- 
 mortal remembrance of their virtues. From whence we 
 may learn both thefe truths, that our country can produce 
 more excellent men than any other can, and this govern- 
 ment, as it is called, tho' in reality a detriment, is natu- 
 rally difpofed to make all thofe the worfe who ufe it. This 
 is the greateft proof; for it has not only corrupted ours, 
 but the Lacedaemonian city ; fo that thofe who were ac- 
 cuftomed to praife their virtues, cannot fpeak in this man- 
 ner ; that we, upon account of being fubjeded to popular 
 power, have managed our affairs ill, but that, had the La- 
 cedemonians the fame power, they would have made o- 
 thers and themfelves happy; for it has more quickly fhewn 
 its nature in them: it has not only fhaken, but was near 
 entirely diffolving that polity, which none ever knew, dur- 
 ing feven hundred years, to have been either moved by dan- 
 gers or lofles ; for, inftead of their accuftomary manners, 
 it has filled the people with injuftice, idlenefs, negle£t of 
 laws, and avarice, and the whole community with con- 
 tempt of allies, defire of others property, fetting light by 
 oaths and covenants : for they fo far exceeded ours in 
 tranfgreflions againft the Greeks, that, befides what had 
 happened before, they added malTacres and feditions ; where- 
 by the Greeks entertain, amongft one another, irreconcile- 
 able enmities ; and they became fuch lovers of war and ha- 
 zards, though, in former times, they had more cautioufly 
 
 avoided 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^-1 
 

 190 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 avoided Tuch things, that they neither abftained their hanJa 
 from their allies or benefadors ; but tho* the king had fup- 
 plied them with above a thoufand talents, and the Chians, 
 as their readieft allies, had fought with their naval forces in 
 concert with them, and the Thebans had contributed greatly 
 to their land-forces ; yet they no fooner gained the princi- 
 pality, but they laid fnarcs for the Thebans, fent an army 
 and Clearchus againft the king, drove the chief citizens of 
 Chios into banifhment, and carried ofF by violence all their 
 gallies from the havens. This did not fuffice them ; but, 
 at the fame time, they laid wafte the continent, infulted the 
 iflands, annihilated the republics conflituted in Italy and 
 Sicily, and erected monarchies : they aiflidcd Peloponne- 
 fus, and filled it with wars and feditions. Againft what 
 city did they not march their armies ? and what allies did 
 they not injure ? Did they not take from the Eleans a part 
 of their lands ? did they not plunder the territory of Co- 
 rinth ? feparate the Mantineans into villages ? fack the city 
 of the Phliafians ? invade the country,of the Argives ? or did 
 they^ver defift from injuring others, and preparing for them- 
 felves the calamity at Leudlra ? which defeat fome afiirm, 
 though not truly, to be the caufe of all their miferies j for 
 they did not become odious to their allies for this, but for 
 their infults in former times ; they were conquered in. the 
 battle, and were in danger of lofmg their own country. 
 We ought not to refer the caufe to tliofe calamities which 
 happened in the end, but to thefe mifdemeanours which 
 brought them to this conclufion. Wherefore, would not a 
 perfon fpeak more truly, fhould he affirm, that the origin 
 of their calamities was derived from acquiring the fove- 
 Xeignty of the feas, and a power that was different from 
 what they had before ? for, by the difcipline of their land- 
 government, and the patience of labour which they exer* 
 cifcd in it, they eafily obtained the fovereignty of the feas : 
 but, by their infolence, which came to them with this 
 power, they were deprived of their former authority ; for 
 they no longer obferved the laws, which they had received 
 
 from 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. 191 
 
 From their anceftors, nor remained conftant in thofe infti* 
 ilutes which they had kept before; but, whilft they thought 
 they might a<Sl as they pleafed, they fell into many troubles : 
 for they did not reflect how intractable a thing that power is 
 which all defire, and how it renders delirious thofe who 
 love it ; nor that it is of the difpofition of thofe miftrefles, 
 who allure us indeed to love them, but ruin thofe who con- 
 tinue to adhere to them. It is evident, that it has this effe£t ; 
 for any one, by the example of us and the Lacedaemonians, 
 may fee, that thofe who have acquired the greateft power, 
 have fallen into the greateft diftrefles. Thofe cities, which 
 before governed with the greateft moderation, and obtained 
 the brighteft glory, as foon as they acquired fuch power, and 
 received the fovereignty, no ways differed from each other ; 
 but, after the manner of thofe who are infeded with the 
 fame lufts and diforders, they attempted the fame crimes, 
 fell into the fame vices, and, at length, fuffered the fame 
 Calamities : for we, having become odious to our allies, were 
 in danger of captivity, and were faved by the Lacedaemo- 
 nians ; and they, when all fought their ruin, found a re- 
 fuge in us. Now, who can praife a power which has fuch 
 fatal events ? Why fhould we not hate and avoid it, which 
 inclined both cities to commit fuch grievous actions, and 
 brought them to fuffer fuch miferies ? Nor is it to be won- 
 dered at, if formerly all were ignorant, that this power was 
 a fource of fuch diftreffes to thofe who poffeffed it, or was 
 fought for by war, both by us and the Lacedaemonians. 
 You will find moft of mankind to err in the choice of 
 things, and be difordered by more ftrong defires of what is 
 bad than good, and counfel their enemies better than them- 
 felves. This may be feen in the greateft affairs. What 
 does not happen in this manner ? Did we not chufe to do 
 fuch things, as rendered the Lacedaemonians mafters of 
 Greece ; and they adminiftered their affairs fo ill, that we 
 not many years after, as it were, emerged, and were made 
 arbitrators of their fafety ? Did not the fedulity of thofe, 
 who favoured the Attic party, caufe cities to join the La- 
 
 cedsemonians ; 
 
\ ^ 
 
 19a The ORATIONS 
 
 cedaemonlans ; and the infolence of the Lacedaemonian^ 
 oblige them to revert to us ? Did not the very people^ 
 upon account of the improbity of the public orators, wifh 
 for that oligarchy, which was conftituted in the time of the 
 four hundred ? and were not all of us made more popular 
 in our inclinations for the madneG of the thirty tyrants, 
 than even thofe who feized Phyle ? Now, even in fmall 
 things, and daily life, we may perceive many perfons, who 
 are pleafed with fuch meats and exercifes as prejudice body 
 and mind ; who think laborious and hard what benefits 
 both ; and who judge thofe men of refolution, that conti- 
 nue in fuch perverfe inftitutes and manners^ If therefore, 
 in thefe very things which men are converfant about, 
 and take more care of, it is clear they chufe the worfe, 
 what wonder, if they miftake in the affair of maritime em- 
 pire, and wage war with one another for what they ne- 
 ver reafoned about the nature of ? Obfervcj how many 
 lovers monarchies raifed in free cities have who are ready 
 to fufFer any thing to obtain them. Are they not, as foori 
 as they have acquired them, involved in fuch calamitiesy 
 that they are forced to make war agalnft all the citizens 
 and hate thofe who never did them an injury ? diftrufl their 
 friends and allies ? truft the fafety of their bodies to the 
 faith of mercenaries, whom they are ignorant of, and be 
 in no lefs apprehenfion from thofe who guard them, thari 
 thofe who lay ambufcides for them ; nay, be of fuch a fuf- 
 picious temper, that, while they are in company with their 
 moft intimate acquaintance, be ftill diffident ? for they very 
 well know, that thofe who made themfelves defpotic before 
 them, perifhed, fome of them by their parents, fome by 
 their children, fome by their brothers, and others by their 
 wives J and their race was exterminated from the face of 
 the earth : yet they voluntarily expofed themfelves to fo many 
 calamities. Now, if the chief of mankind, and thofe who 
 have acquired the greatefl glory, expofe themfelves to fo 
 many evils, why fhould we wonder others are defirous of 
 
 m 
 
 the like thinj^s ? 
 
 u 
 
 I AM 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 19^ 
 
 I AM not ignorant, that you approve of an oration againfl 
 tyrants; but you bear with difpleafure that which touches 
 tipon your own rule. Something very difgraceful happens to 
 you ', for what you perceive in others, you cannot perceive 
 in yourfelves. But, furely, it is not the fmallefl proof of wife 
 men to judge always the fame in regard of the fame adions. 
 You have never taken care of this ; and you judge tyranni- 
 cal governments pernicious, and full of trouble, not only to ^ 
 others, but to the pofTefTors themfelves ; but the fovereignty 
 of the fea, the caufe of the greatefl good,which no ways dif- 
 fers, either in calamities or violent anions, from tyrannies. 
 As for theTheban afiairs, you think they are in a bad fitua- 
 tion,on account of their injuring their neighbours ; yet,tho' 
 you manage, with no more equity, your allies interefts,'than 
 they govern Bceotia, you judge, you do all that is necefTary. 
 If you therefore will liflen to me, omitting all other con- ^' ■^■ 
 cerns, you will turn your minds to yourfelves and the flate, 
 and wiU fludy and confider what it was that made ours 
 and the Lacedaemonian city, from fmall beginnings, rife ^o 
 highly as to govern all Greece ^ and, after they had got im- 
 menfe power, be deduced to the danger of captivity • for 
 What reafons, llkewife, the ThefTalians, though they* had 
 received great riches from their anceflors, and acquired a 
 great and extenfive power, fhould be reduced to penury ; 
 why the Megarenfes, tho' their republic was fmall and weak 
 in the beginning, tho' they had not lands, nor ports, jior 
 filver-mines, but inhabited rocks, now have themoflf^en- 
 did poflbfTions amongfl the Greeks ; and why Grangers al- 
 ways garifon the towns of the former, tho' they have three 
 thoufand horfe, and innumerable fhield-men -, and why the 
 latter govern their own flate at pleafure, though they have 
 but a Imall power : on the contrary, why the others are 
 always in civil war -, laflly, why the former, tho' they in- 
 habit betwixt the Peloponnefians, Thebans, and our city, 
 enjoy a perpetual, uninterrupted peace. If you confider 
 thefe circumflances, and the like, you will find, that in- 
 temperance and njuflice have been the caufe of all thefe 
 
 O evils. 
 
 ) ; 
 
194 The ORATIONS 
 
 evils ; aiid moderation and equity of the contrary goods r 
 yet you yourfelves judge, that fuch as prefervc this cecono- 
 my in their private affairs, are the moft deferving of praife, 
 and live the moft fafe and happy of all citizens ; but think, 
 at the fame time, that the public is not obliged to this me- 
 thod. Now, certainly, it becomes cities, more than pri- 
 vate perfons, to pra6life virtue, and avoid vice. An nreli- 
 gious, wicked man may, by chance, die before he fuffers for 
 his mifdeeds ; but cities, on account of their immortality, 
 \ J^ undergo both the punifhment of gods and men. You ought 
 ' therefore, refleding on this, not to liften to flatterers, and 
 difregard futurity ; or efteem thofe who fay they love the 
 people, but prejudice the whole city : for did not thefe men, 
 when they had got the power of the roftrum, fo infatuate 
 the city, that it fell into all thofe calamities which I have 
 ^ mentioned to you before ? But what deferves admiration 
 is, that you have fuch men as are not of the fame fenti- 
 ments with thofe who rendered the city flourifhing, but 
 fuch as fpeak and a6t like thofe who ruined it: I fay, tho* 
 you know this, that the good do not only differ from the 
 bad in this point, that they render the city happy, but the 
 republic, under fuch, has been unfhaken and unchanged ; 
 whereas, under the others, in a (hort time twke unhinged 
 and deftroyed ; and, finally, that thofe v/ho were recalled 
 from banifhment, wrhich they underwent in time of the ty- 
 rants and the thirty, were not recalled by fycophants, but 
 thofe who detefted them, and had obtained the greateft 
 glory by their virtues : I fay, tho' we have thefe examples 
 before us, by which we may judge how the city has adled 
 under both j yet we are fo pleafed with the villainy of po- 
 pular orators, that tho' we know, that, by thefe wars and 
 tumults which have been ftirred up by them, many of the 
 citizens have lofl their fubftance, while themfelves of poor 
 are become rich, we are neither filled with indignation nor 
 envy at their profperity ; but we fuffer the city to be accufed 
 of concufTions and opprefTions, while we quietly let thefe 
 men reap the benefit, and let the people, whom they fay, 
 
 ought 
 
 of 1 S O C it A f fi S. ig$ 
 
 bixght to govern others, live more unhappily than fuch as 
 ferve an oligarchy ; while we permit thofe, who had nd 
 Conveniencies of life, by our imprudence, to become flou- 
 rifhilig and opulent; But Pericles, who prefided beford 
 thefe men, tho' he received the city not fo found in judg- 
 ment as before the fovereignty, yet ftill tolerably oecono- 
 miied, did not haften at full-fpeed to raife an eflate, but 
 left his family lefs affluent than it had been from his father's 
 fortune, and brought into the citadel eight thoufand talents, 
 befides what ferved for religious pomps. But thefe men are 
 fo different from him^ that they are not afhamed to fay^ 
 thatj on account of their care of the public, they cannot 
 attend to their private affairs ; yet, what they pretend to be. / 
 fo negligent of, have received fuch an encreafe, as once be-/^ 
 fore they durft not even have prayed to the gods for : but 
 as for the populace, whom, they fay, they take fuch care of^ 
 they are in fuch a condition, that none live eafily, or with 
 good fpirits, but the city is full of lamentations ; fome of 
 them commemorate and bewail to themfelves their poverty 
 and mifery ; others, the multitude of edidb and public of- 
 fices, and what regards tributes and exadlions : Which con-* 
 fiderations caufe fuch grief, that they live lefs pleafantly who 
 have pofTefTions, than they who are conftantly poor. I 
 Wonder you do not obfer\'e, that no fort of men is worfe 
 affedled to the populace, than wicked orators and minifters* y^ 
 And, befides other calamities, they would have the people 
 indigent of daily food 3 for they fee fuch as can maintain 
 themfelves of the city's party, and in the interefl of thofe 
 who fpeak the moft falutarily j but that fuch, who live by 
 public affemblies, and judgments, and fuch ways, to be at 
 their devotion on account of poverty, and to think them- 
 felves obliged for fo many accufationsj public calumnies^ 
 and all variety of fycophantifm. Wherefore they would 
 gladly fee the whole city in that neceflity and indigence, 
 whereby they govern the citizens. This is an evident proof 
 they have not this in view, viz. whereby they may make 
 ifaie neceifitous eafy, but whereby they may equal thofe, who 
 
 O 2 have 
 
 ]» 
 } 
 
io6 The ORATIONS 
 
 have a competency, with the dlftrefled. What remedy can 
 be applied to thefe prefent evils ? I have mentioned many 
 things, not in order indeed, but as each occurred conveni- 
 ently. Now, you will more eafily retain them in memory, 
 if, after I have recapitulated what U nccefTary, I endeavour 
 I >, ">to run them over. It is in our power to redify the mif- 
 iakes of the city, and make it better by thefe means. Firft,, 
 if we employ iuch perfons in public counfels, as we would 
 defire to have in our private affairs, and no longer efteem 
 hypocrites lovers of the populace, and good and honeftmen 
 affeders of an oligarchy ; knowing, as we muff, that no 
 man is either by nature, but tliat as each fort of men are 
 honoured in the ilate, fo they chufe a form of government. 
 In the fecond place, if we treat our fubje6ls as our friends, 
 Kor give them, as it were, their own full liberty, but, in 
 iacl, expofe them as a prey to our generals; nor prefide 
 over them as lords, but as allies ; convinced of this truth, 
 that tho' we are fuperior to any iingle city, yet we are in- 
 ferior to all together. In the third place, if we efteem no- 
 ihint^ more, after fmcere religion towards the gods, than 
 to be honoured by the Greeks ; for, to perfons fo difpofed, 
 they will naturally entruft the fovcreignty and themfelves. 
 ^- C if you continue in thefe maxims, and, befides, render your- 
 felves warlike by excrcife and preparation, and affedionate 
 of peace by equity, you will not only make this city happy, 
 but all Greece ; for no other city will dare to injure them, 
 but all will fear, and reft in peace, when they fee, that our 
 city is looking on, as from a watch-tower, and ready to 
 aflift the opprefted. But let them ad as they will, our af- 
 fairs will not fail of going on profperoufly 5 for whether it 
 will pleafe the more powerful cities to abftain from injuf- 
 tices, we ftiall be efteemed the authors ; or, if they do at- 
 tempt to injure others, all who fear, or arc opprefted, will 
 fly ta us, offering us prayers and fupplications, and hot 
 only giving us the pre-eminency, but putting themfelves 
 under our patronage. Wherefore we ftiall not want fuch, 
 by whofe afliftance we may quell the delinquents, but fhall 
 
 have 
 
 itf>*<.- 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 197 
 
 have many who will readily aflift us. What city, what 
 man, will not defire to be partaker of our friendftiip and 
 alliance, when they will fee us both the jufteft and moft 
 powerful, and, at the fame time, both willing and able to 
 fave others, and yet want no afliftance ourfelves ? What a 
 glorious encreafe of happinefs muft our city receive, when 
 others are thus benevolently aftecled towards it ? What a 
 flood of riches will flow in on all fides, when all Greece is 
 preferved by us ? Who will not praife the authors of fo many 
 and great goods ? But I cannot, upon account of my age, 
 mention all particulars, which yet I have an idea of in my 
 mind ; but only this, that it vi'ould be glorious, if, amidft 
 the injuftices and madnefs of others, we fiiould iirft, reco- 
 vering our fenfes, confult the liberty and fafety of the 
 Greeks, and not be called their common plague, or difgrace 
 the high reputation which our anceftors acquired by their 
 virtues. I have this chief head to mention, to which all 1^2. 
 this difcourfe bears, and by which we ought to judge of the 
 adions of the city. We ought, I fay, if we would blot 
 out all accufations, which we are now charged with, to ab- 
 ftain from all rafli wars, poflefs the perpetual pre-eminency, 
 hate all tyrannical governments and pov/ers, while we con- 
 fider the calamities which arife from them, and emulateV 
 and imitate the Lacedaemonian kingdom ; for it is lefs per- 
 mitted their kings to commit injuftice, than private perfons. 
 But thofe kings are fo much the more happy than thofe who 
 are pofl'effed of tyrannical power, as thofe who flay ty- 
 rants receive from their fellow-citizens the moft fplendid 
 gifts ; but thefe, who dare not die for their kings in battle, 
 are treated with more ignominy than fuch as defert their 
 ranks, or throw away their ftiiclds. Now, certainly, fuch 
 fovereignty is defirable. It is, doubtlefs, in our power, by 
 a ftmilar conduct, to acc[uire fuch an honour from all 
 (ireece, as the Lacedaemonian kings have from their citi- 
 zens, if the Cjrecians are fatisfied, that our power is not 
 conftitutcd for their flavery, but fafety. 
 
 03 
 
 Tho* 
 
19? The ORATIONS, &c, 
 
 Tho' great variety of arguments remain to fupport my 
 ^hefis, yet both thefe motives, the length of my oration, 
 , and the number of my years, perfuade me to finifh my dif- 
 courfe. But I exhort the younger, and thofe who are in 
 their vigour, to fpeak and write fuch things, whereby they 
 may dilTuade the greateft cities, and which have been accufr 
 tomed to violence, to quit fuch pradtices, and apply themr 
 felves to the ftudy of virtue and juftice ; becaufe, in the 
 public felicity of all Greece, philofophers and men of let- 
 ters will find their condition much bettered, and their hap? 
 pinefs, with the public, augmented. 
 
 ^p*" 
 
 ■•«»i««*M«Mi«pKW> 
 
 THE 
 
 THE NINTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES, 
 
 IN PRAISE OF 
 
 EVAGORAS. 
 
 04 
 
[ 201 ] 
 
 %^^m^i 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 ^T'HIS is a ftmeral panegyric ofEvagoras^ king 
 -*■ of Salami s in Cyprus^ who was Nicocles s fa- 
 ther^ for whom the fecond and third orations were 
 written. Firji^ he fays y that nothing can be more 
 pleafmg to Evagoras^ than to have his noble ac^ 
 tions celebrated in an eloquent ^ fplcndid manner \ 
 which he J}:ews to be difficult : then fpecifyingy 
 from his youth^ his dijlinguifjcd virtues^ he ex- 
 horts hisfon to imitate them, T'he picture of fo 
 great a hero is here drawn^ as it were^ by the 
 pencil of Apelles \ and he is defer ibed viSlorious 
 ever all the perfecutions of fortune. There are 
 Jine admonitions mixed in it^ with delicate praije^ 
 
 THE NINTH 
 
 Oration of IsocRATES, 
 
 IN PRAISE OF 
 
 i 
 
 EVAGORAS. 
 
 WHEN I faw you, O Nicocles! ornamenting 
 your father's funeral, not only with the multi- 
 tude and beauty of your donations, but with 
 dances, mufic, and gymnaftic games, as likewife with na- 
 val and horfe-races, nor omitting any magnificence of this 
 kind 5 I judged, that Evagoras (if there be any fenfe in the 
 dead of what is done on earth), would receive all thefe things 
 kindly, and take a pleafure in feeing your care of him, and 
 fplendid behaviour; but that he would ftill think himfelf 
 more obliged, than for all things elfe, if any oneftiould ex- 
 plain worthily his ftudies, and thofe dangers which he ran 
 in the execution of his noble anions ; for we fliall find 
 men, who love honour, and are great-minded, not only de- 
 firous of praife beyond things of this nature, but even chuf- 
 ing death with encomium, rather than life'itfelf, and more 
 emulous of glory, than of old age ; doing all that lies in their 
 power to leave an immortal remembrance behind them. 
 Expenccs of this nature conclude in nothing, but are an 
 indication of aiHuence. As for thofe who profefs mufic, 
 ^nd exercifcs of that kind, fome of them {hew their own 
 faculties, and others thyir arts, whereby they render thcm- 
 felves mo;-c glorious. But fhould any one, by an oration, 
 
 worthily 
 
202 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 worthily rcprefent his a6lions, fuch a one would render the 
 virtues of Evagoras eternized amongft mankind. Now, it 
 is more proper, that contemporaries (hould be praifed, who 
 have been good men, that thofe who are capable of orna- 
 menting the adions of the anticnts, might, amongft the 
 intelligent, ufe true panegyric, and the moderns might be 
 more ftirred up to virtue ; knowing well, that they them- 
 felves will be praifed more than thofe whom they have ex- 
 celled in merit. But who now almoft would not defpond, 
 when he fees thofe who lived about the Trojan war, and 
 before thefe times, celebrated by hymns and tragedies ; but 
 forefees, that he, tho* he fhould excel them in heroic qua- 
 lities, will not be vouchfafed fuch praifes ? The caufe of 
 this is envy, which has no other good in it, but that it is 
 the greateft torment to thofe who are influenced by it ; for 
 fome perfons are fo morofely difpofed, that they more will- 
 ingly hear the praifes of fuch, whom they know not ever 
 to have exifted, than of thofe whom they have received 
 good from. But we fhould not be enflaved by fuch men, 
 who have fo perverfe a mind ; we fhould negledt fuch, and 
 accuftom others to liften to what it isjufter they fhould hear 
 of; efpecially fince we fee all the improvements of arts, and 
 all things, not to have been made by thofe who followed a 
 beaten track, but by thofe who corrected former methods, 
 and dared always to change fomething in what was notper* 
 ic6k and compleat, 
 
 I KNOW it is difEcultto praife the virtue of a diftlngulfhed 
 perfon in an oration : and this is an evident proof; for thofe, 
 who arc converfant in philofophy, have dared to fpeak about 
 all other fubjecls, but none of them have hitherto attempted 
 this topic. I pardon them ; for the poets have many op- 
 portunities of ornamenting, who are permitted to make 
 gods converfant with, and aflifling, whom they pleafe ; and 
 explain themfelves not only in cuftomary, but in foreign, 
 new, and metaphorical expreflions ; nor omit any colour- 
 ing, but vary their poetry as much as pofliblc. Now, no- 
 thing of this is permitted in orations ; but orators are obliged 
 
 to 
 
 ■'^j- 
 
 I' * 
 <J6 
 
 ^! 
 
 ■"^'. 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S, 203 
 
 to fpeak plainly, and ufe fuch words and arguments as arc 
 ufual upon their topics. Befides, the former have both mea- 
 fare and numbers, but the latter are deftitute of fuch ad- 
 vantages ; which are of fo great efficacy, that, though the 
 diaion and fentiment fliould be deficient, yet, by the art of 
 harmony and verfification, the poets can engage the atten- 
 tion, and, as it were, tranfport the mind. From this in- 
 ftance we may perceive their power ; for if any onefliouM 
 leave the words and fentiments of celebrated poems, but 
 diflblve their numbers, they would appear jejune, and in- 
 ferior to the notion we now have of them. But tho' poetry 
 has this advantage, we are not to be indolent, but try the 
 force of eloquence ; and experience, whether this cannot 
 celebrate good men, equally with thofe who have compofed 
 pdes and poems in their honour. 
 
 First, then, tho' many already know the birth of Evago- 
 ras, and from whom he defcended, yet, I think, I ought, for 
 the fake of others, to fpeak upon this head, that all may un- 
 derftand, tho' he had left him the nobleft and moft excellent 
 examples, yet he no ways fell Ihort of them. It is acknow- 
 ledged by all, that thofe, who are defcended from Jupiter, 
 3re the nobleft of the demi-gods. Now, amongft thofe, 
 there is no one but will give the preference to the JEacidie. 
 In other families, we fliall find fome to have excelled, and 
 others to have fallen fliort of the fame glory ; but all thefe 
 were the moft famous of all in their own times : for JEz- 
 cus, who was the fon of Jupiter, and author of Teucer's 
 family, fo far excelled, that, when a drought had happened 
 in Greece, and many periftied, when the calamity was now 
 come to its height, the chief of the cities came to him in 
 a fuppliant manner, thinking, by his high birth and piety, 
 they might the fooneft be freed from their preffing calami- 
 ties. Thus being faved, and obtaining all they wiftied, 
 they built, in ^Egina, a temple common to all Greece, on 
 the fpot where he had made his prayer ; and, during all that 
 time which he was amongft men, he lived with the greateft 
 glory : but, when he departed this life, he is faid to have 
 
 J received 
 
 . S| 
 
 i 
 
 • -vW- 
 
204 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 received the greateft honours from Pluto and Proferpine, and 
 to have been feated at their fide. His fons v^^ereTelamon and 
 Pelcus ; the one of which, making an expedition with Her- 
 cules againft Laomedon, deferved the higheft encomium of 
 valour; and Peleus, diftinguifhing himfelf in the war with 
 the Centaurs, and gaining praife in many other dangers, 
 tho' mortal, married Thetis the daughter of Nereus, who 
 was immortal : and it is faid, that, at his nuptials, of all 
 human race, the hymenaean was fung by deities. From 
 thofe two, viz. from Telamon, came Ajax and Teucer ; 
 and from Peleus, fprung Achilles ; each of whom gave the 
 greateft and moft evident proofs of valour : for they were 
 not only the chief in their cities, and the places they dwelt 
 in, but there happening an expedition of the Greeks a- 
 gainft the Barbarians, and a great number being collefled 
 on both fides, nor any of diftin6lion being left behind, in 
 this conflidl, Achilles diftinguifhed himfelf from all others, 
 and Ajax merited the next degree of glory ; but Teucer, 
 worthy of their relation, and inferior to no others, after 
 he had with them facked Troy, failing to Cyprus, built Sa- 
 hmis, calling it thus after his ov/n country, and left behind 
 him that family which now reigns. What glory, therefore, 
 was tranfmitted down to Evac^oras by his anceftors, is of 
 this exalted nature: this city being in this manner built, at 
 firft the defcendents from Teucer obtained the kingdom ; 
 but, in procefs of time, a banifhed perfon c:ime from Phoe- 
 nicia, who was received by him who then reigned, with 
 amity, and thus obtaining great power, did not requite his 
 friend with gratitude j but, becoming villainous to his be- 
 nefactor, and ambitious of higher things, expelled him, 
 and feized his kingdom. But being alarmed by fear for 
 what he had done, and having a mind to fecure himfelf, 
 he both filled the city with Barbarians, and fubjcdled the 
 whole ifland to the s:reat kincr of Pcrfia. 
 
 EvAGORAS was born, when thinc^s were in fuch circum, 
 ftances. I (hall omit here the oracles, the prophecies, and 
 vifionsj which happened in flecp, by which he might appear 
 
 a perfou 
 
 of ISOCRATE S. 205 
 
 a perfon exalted above human nature ; not that I difbelieve 
 thefe things, but that I may make it evident, that I am (6 
 far from feigning any actions of his, that I fhall pafs by 
 fuch as are true, but few know of, nor all are agreed a- 
 bout ; for whilft he was a youth, he was endued with beau- 
 ty, ftrength, and modefty ; qualities particularly adapted to 
 that at^e. And of what I fay, I can produce thefe wit- 
 nelTes, viz. of his modefty, all the citizens who were edu- 
 cated with him; of his beauty, all who faw him; and of 
 his ftreno-th, all thofe games and contefts in which he van- 
 quifhed his equals. When he was a man, all thefe advan- 
 tages encreafed, and to them were added fortitude, wif- 
 dom, and juftice, not in a middling degree, nor as we fee 
 them in fome others, but each of them in excellency : for 
 he fo far excelled in the virtues of mind and body, that when 
 they, who then reigned, faw him, they were ftruck, and 
 feared for their own kingdom; thinking it was Impoflible, 
 that fuch a one w^ould be content to pafs his life in a pri- 
 vate ftation. But when they confidercd his manner, they 
 put fuch confidence in him, that they thought, ftiould any 
 one elfe dare to injure them, they ftiould have Evagoras for 
 their afliftant ; and tho' their opinions were fo different, yet 
 they were deceived in neither refpe6l ; for he neither re- 
 mained a private perfon, nor trefpafTed againft them : but 
 the gods had fuch care of him, and that he might virtuoufiy 
 pofTefs the kingdom, that what necefTarily was prepared by 
 impiety, another perpetrated ; but Evagoras himfelf per- 
 formed what was ncceflary for his juft and guiltlefs afcent of 
 the throne : for one of the nobles caufing a confpiracy, both 
 flew the tyrant, and had a mind to feize Evagoras ; think- 
 ing he could not obtain the kingdom, unlefs he deftroyed 
 him. Evagoras efcaping this danger, and being fafe ar- 
 rived in Soli, a city of Cilicia, entertained not the fame 
 thoughts as fuch do, who fall into the like calamities; for 
 others, tho' they have loft a kingdom, arc apt to have, on 
 account of their calamities, abjedt minds ; but he rofe to 
 that pitch of magnanimity, after he was driven into ba- 
 
 nifhment. 
 
2o6 The 6 R A r 1 O N 3 
 
 nrfhment, that, tho* before he lived a private perfon, iie 
 now thought it was but juft he fhould afTume the royalty. 
 But he fcorned to accept of renegadoes or fugitives, and 
 return by fuch, or make his addrefles to thofe beneath him j 
 And taking the opportunity, which it becomes thofe who 
 would a6l with piety, of revenging^ and not being the ag- 
 greflbr ; in fhort, refolving either to fucceed in attaining a 
 crown, or, failing, to die with bravery; haviiig got toge- 
 ther about fifty perfons, as moft atteft, and being fupported 
 by thefe, he attempted his return. From whence we may 
 clearly perceive his abilities, and what great thought others 
 had of him ; for, on the point of failing with fo few to exe- 
 cute fo great a defign, and tho' all cruelties were prefented 
 to their view, he neither defponded, nor would a man of 
 them withdraw from the danger ; but^ as if they had fol- 
 lowed a god, all ftood to their promifes ; and he, as if he 
 had a fuperior army, or forefaw what would happen, pro- 
 ceeded with fecrecy. This is evident from his adions ; for^ 
 in making a defcent upon the ifland, he did not judge, that, 
 after feizing fome ftrong place, and putting his body in fafe-* 
 ty^ he ought to wait the alTiftance of fome of the citizens • 
 but immediately, as he was prepared, the fame night, hav- 
 ing broke open a fmall gate in the wall, and introducino- 
 his companions by it, he made an afTault againft the palace. 
 And why need I here dwell upon defchbing the tumult 
 which happens on fuch an occafion, the terror of fome, 
 and his generous exhortations ? While fome of the tyrant's 
 guards refifted, and the reft of the citizens were fpe(51ators 
 (for, fearing th^ government of the one, and the valour of 
 the other, they remained quiet), he did not ceafe iighting^ 
 both alone againft many, and, with his companions, a^ 
 gainft all the enemies, till, taking the palace, he revenged 
 himfelf on his adverfaries, brought fuccour to his friends, 
 reftored his family to its former honours, and made him- 
 felf the lord of the city. 
 
 I NOW think, that, {hould I add no more, but break off" 
 in this place my difcourfe, it would be eafy to eftimate 
 
 both 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 of 1 S O C R A T E S. 207 
 
 both the valour of Evagoras, and the greatnefs of his a£lion?- 
 But I judge, that I (hall more fully manifeft both by what 
 follows ; for tho' there have been fo many monarchs in all 
 times, yet none will be found who obtained this honour 
 more glorioufly than he. But (hould we compare Evago- 
 ras's adions with each of theirs, perhaps neither the dif- 
 courfe would pleafe the hearers, nor the time fuffice for 
 tvhat might be faid ; yet, if we feledl the moft glorious, and 
 compare Evagoras's adlions with theirs, we (hall lofe no- 
 thing by this method, and we (hall exprefs ourfelves more 
 briefly by this means. Is there, think you, any of thofe, 
 who have fucceeded to their paternal kingdoms, whofe for- 
 tune we would not poftponc to the dangers of Evagoras ? 
 There is no one fo mean-fpirited, who would chufe to re- 
 ceive fuch a government, rather than, after he had gained 
 it blamelefsly, as Evagoras, to leave it to his children. 
 Now, amongft the antients, the returns of thofe perfons to 
 their paternal kingdoms are moft celebrated, which we read 
 of in the poets j for they do not commemorate only the 
 moft glorious, but they invent other heroes of their own- 
 But none of them have mentioned, in their fables, anyone, 
 who, after he had pafled fuch horrid and dreadful dangers, 
 recovered his own right. Moft of them have celebrated 
 thofe who received their kingdoms from fortune ; others, 
 thofe who got the better of their adverfaries by ait and ftra- 
 tagem : but of thofe who fucceeded, or perhaps of all, 
 moft particularly admire Cyrus, who took the empire from 
 the Medes, and transferred it to the Perfians j yet he, with 
 a Perfian army, overthrew the Medes, which many, both 
 ©f the Greeks and Barbarians, would have eafily done. 
 But it is certain, Evagoras effe£led moft of thefe things, 
 which have been mentioned before, by his bodily ftrength 
 and courage. Now, it is not evident from the expedition 
 of Cyrus, that he would ever have fuftained the dangers 
 of Evagoras ; but it is clear from the latter's acSlions to all, 
 that he would eafily have attempted the exploits of the other. 
 Befides, all was done juftly and religioufly by the one ; but 
 
 fom& 
 
zoS The ORATIONS 
 
 fome things were a blcmifh to the other's piety. The one 
 flew his enemies ; but the other killed his wife's father : fo 
 that if any one will confider, not the greatnefs of the e- 
 vents, but the bravery of each, they muft neccfTarily praife 
 Evagoras before Cyrus. And if I ought to conceal nothing, 
 nor be deterred by envy from fpeaking my mind freely, I will 
 dare to fay, that no mortal, demi-god, or immortal, can be 
 found ever to have gained a kingdom more nobly, or with 
 more glory and piety. Every one may be moft convinced 
 of this, if, not too incredulous of what I have faid, he re- 
 folveto enquire how each acquired his kingdom; for I 
 fhall not appear defirous of always fpeaking in the moft 
 pompous manner, but of fpeaking with boldnefs, accord- 
 ing to the verity of the facls. Had he diftinguifhcd himfelf 
 in fmall adtions, he would have deferved an encomium j 
 but all confefs, that royalty is the greateft, the mofl au- 
 guft, and deferving of contention, of all mortal goods. 
 Now, what rhetorician, what poet, what orator, can fuffi- 
 ciently praife him for his adions, who has acquired the 
 moft glorious of all pofltHions ? 
 
 Nor, tho' he excelled in thefe rcfpe^s, will he be found 
 inferior in others ; for, in the firft place, tho' he was born 
 with the happieft genius, and could do many things in the 
 moft perfedl manner, yet he judged, he ought not to fet 
 flight by any thing, nor tranfadt ought rafhly and inconfi- 
 derately; but he fpent much of his time in enquiry and 
 deliberation ; judging, that, if he exercifed prudently his 
 own mind, his kingdom would be rendered glorious, and 
 wondered at thofe, who do all for the fake of life, but no- 
 thing for a wifer and better oeconomy of it. In public af- 
 fairs, he judged in the fame manner ; for feeing thofe, who 
 took the greateft care of their affairs, to be leaft expofed to 
 trouble, and that eafe of mind confifted not in adivity, but 
 m doing good, and bearing labour, he omitted nothing, but 
 fo well underllood public affairs, and all perfons, that they 
 neither could prejudice him by fraud, nor thofe who were 
 gvood, be concealed from him i but all had their juft reward. 
 
 He 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 2og 
 
 He neither punifhed or honoured his citizens, by what he 
 heard from others ; but what he knew, he made the rule of 
 his fentiments. Tho' he was employed in fuch variety of 
 care, yet he committed no one inflance of error in what- 
 ever occurred daily ; but he governed the city fo religioufly 
 and humanely, that thofe ftrangers, who came there, did 
 not felicitate Evagoras more for his happy reign, than they 
 did his fubjeds for his mild government. He pafTed his 
 whole life without injuring any man, and in conflantly ho- 
 nouring the good. If he governed with a flria h?»nd, yet 
 he puniflied delinquents according to the laws ; and tho' he 
 leaft of all men wanted counfellors, yet he always took the 
 advice of his friends. Tho' he would yield to his friends^ 
 yet he would conquer his enemies in all things. He was 
 augufl and venerable, not by the haughtinefs of his brow, 
 but by the dignity of his life. He behaved himfelf in no- 
 thing in an indecent or unbecoming manner ; but preferved 
 his veracity as much in common converfation as others do 
 in regard of oaths. He was full of noble fpirit, not for the 
 goods of fortune, but thofe that were his own. He made 
 his friends his own by his beneficence, and others he fub- 
 jcded by the greatnefs of his courage. He was not terrible 
 by his violence to others, but by excelling in the fuperiority 
 of genius. He was a mdler of his pleafures, and not hur- 
 ried here and there by them. He procured himfelf leifure 
 by a few labours, and did not, for a little amufement, caufe 
 himfelf great trouble. In a word, he omitted nothing of 
 whatever becomes kings, but chofe whatever was beft in 
 every republic. He was popular in the affection of the 
 multitude, political in the government of the city, a ge- 
 neral in taking jufl meafures in danger, and royal by excel- 
 ling in all things. • 
 
 It is jufl to imagine, that all thefe, and more than thefe 
 noble qualities were inherent in Evagoras ; for tho' he re- 
 ceived a city difgraced by barbarity, and which, upon ac 
 count of the Phoenicians, would not admit the Greeks, learn 
 arts, or ufe any free trade, or allow open ports, he cor- 
 
 P reded 
 
2IO The O R A T I O N S 
 
 reded all thefe things ; he added a fpacious coujitry, in- 
 clofed the city with a wall, built gallies, and with all other 
 preparations fo fortified the city, that it was inferior to none 
 of all thofc which belonged to the Greeks. He acquired 
 fuch power, that many feared who had dcfpifed hiin. It is 
 impoiTible, that any cities fhould have fuch additions, unlefs 
 fonie perfon govern by fuch a noble condudl as Evagoras 
 did, and fuch as I have endeavoured to enumerate before. 
 Wherefore I do not fear, leil I (hould feem to thofe who 
 knew his virtues, to fpcak bevond his merit, but lelil fhould 
 be inferior in elotjuencc to his actions. What man, with 
 all the pov/cr of langungc, can reach the qualities of him, 
 who not only made his city of more value, but brought the 
 neio-hbouring regions, nay, the whole ifland, to civility and 
 moderation ? for, befyre Evagoras pofTcfled the kingdom, 
 they behaved thcmfclves in fuch a deteftable and favage man- 
 ner, that they thought thofc were the beft of their chiefs, 
 who a£ted the molt cruelly againft the Grecians. Now, 
 they are fo changed, that they contend among themfelves 
 who (hall appear the moft benevolent to the Grecians ; mofl: 
 of them bes:et children on women of our country, take a 
 greater pleafure in our furniture and inftitutions tlian in their 
 own ; and one may find among them more perfons who 
 excel in rroble mufic, and in other kinds of fcience, than 
 amonolt thofe where they formerly flourifhed. None can 
 deny Eva2;oras to be the author of all thefe things. Now, 
 this is the greatcll fign both of his manners and fandtity. 
 Many reputable good Grecians pafled over into Cyprus, 
 leaving their own country, and judging the government of 
 Evacroras more humane and equitable than their own re- 
 publics. To mention by name others, might make my 
 difcourfe tedious : but in regard of Conon, who, on account 
 of his many virtues, was the chief of the Grecians, is any- 
 one ignorant, that, when the city of Athens had met with 
 bad fuccefs, he, feletSling out of all, came to Evagoras? 
 judging there would neither be any where elfe a furcr re- 
 fuge for his bodv, or a quicker afiillance for the city : and 
 
 tho' 
 
 of I S O C R. A t E S. 2ii 
 
 tno* he had done well irt former things, yet he feemed never 
 to have taken better meafures than now ; for it happened to 
 him, by coming into Cyprus, to be the caufe of many goods^ 
 and to receive many. In the firfl place, they no fooner 
 met, but they efteemed one another more than thofe who 
 before had been familiar to them ; and agreeing conftantly 
 in other things, they likewife had the fame fentiments in 
 regard of our city ; for feeing it fubjeded by the Lacedae- 
 monians, and afflidled by a great change of affairs, they 
 bore it heavily, and each did his refpedive duty; for the* 
 one was a countryman, and the Athenians had made the 
 other a citizen, upon account of his many and fingular me- 
 rits. While they were thinking of the means of freeing 
 Athens from its calamities, the Lacedaemonians afforded 
 them an opportunity ; for governing the Grecians both by 
 fea and land, they arrived at that pitch of infatiable avarice, 
 ■• that they attempted even to injure Afia» Conon and Eva- 
 goras feized on this jundlure, and informed the king's o-ene- 
 rals, who were doubtful, how they fhould manage affairs : 
 advifing them not to make war by land, but by fea, a^^ainfl: 
 the Lacedaemonians ; judging, that, ihould they raife a foot- 
 army, and conquer by that means, things would only be 
 better on the continent by it ; but, if they conquered by fea, 
 all Greece would partake of the vidory ; which happened ; 
 for the generals obeying this counfel, and collecTting a fleets 
 the Lacedaemonians were conquered in a naval battle, and 
 ftripped of their power ; the Greeks were refl^ored to liber- 
 ty, our city recovered part of its fplendor, and was confli- 
 tuted head of the allies. This was done by Conon as leader, 
 but Evagoras as afTiflant, who furniflied out the greatell part 
 of the troops ; for which we honoured both with the <^rv?ateil 
 honours, and placed their ftatues where that of Jupiter the 
 Preferver is, next to him and each other, as a monument 
 of both thefe things, viz. of the grcatnefs of the benefit, 
 and of their own mutual friendfliip. But the Perfian mo- 
 narch had not the fame fentiments of them, but feared them 
 in proportion as they did greater and more noble acSlions. 
 
 P 2 I SHALL 
 
 V 
 
212 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 I SHALL fpeak of Conon in another place. But it Is evi- 
 dent, that the Perfian had this difpofition towards Evago- 
 ras, fince he did not diflemble it; for it is certain, he was 
 more anxious about his Cyprian war than any other^ and 
 judged him a greater and more dangerous enemy than Cy*- 
 rus, who contended with him for the kingdom. This is a 
 ^ure proof; for when he had heard of his brother's prepara- 
 tions, he fo defpiied him, that, not being cautious enough, 
 his rival had like to have entered the palace without his 
 knowledge : but he was fo timid in refpecl of Evagoras, 
 that, while he received benefits from him, he was privately 
 levying a war ; not doing juftly indeed, but yet, not v/lth- 
 out an appearance of reafon, confulting his fafety; for he 
 knew, that many, both of the Greeks and Barbarians, had 
 creeled great empires from low and mean beginnings ; and 
 he underftood, that Evagoras's magnanimity, the incrcafe 
 of his ftate, and the glory of his adlions, made fwift pro- 
 grefs, that he had an im'incible genius, and that fortune fa- 
 voured his virtues. He was not angry for what had been 
 done, but follicltous for the future ; and not fearing fomuch 
 for Cyprus, but far greater concerns, he undertook war a- 
 gainft him ; and he applied himfclf to it with fuch vigour* 
 that he expended in this expedition above fifty thoufand ta- 
 lents. But Evagoras, inferior in all preparations, oppofing 
 his courao;e to fuch immenfe forces, fhewed himfelf more 
 wonderful on this occafion, than in regard of all that haS 
 been mentioned before ; for while they fuffered him to live 
 in peace, he only held his own city ; but, after he was forced 
 to make war, he behaved himfelf fo, and had fuch an af- 
 fiftant in his fon Protagoras, that he was very near feizing 
 all Cyprus. He laid wafte Phoenicia, took Tyre by force, 
 and made Cilicia revolt from the king; and he deflroyed 
 fuch numbers of the enemies, that many of the Perfians, 
 deploring their misfortunes, remember his valour: at length, 
 he fo glutted them with war, that, tho' formerly the Per- 
 fians were not accuftomed to be reconciled to thofe who had 
 revolted, before they were mailers of their bodies, they now 
 
 willingly 
 
 
 ^>ir 
 
 4§\}- 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 213 
 
 willingly made peace, diflblving that law, and making no 
 change in Evagoras's kingdom. And tho' the Perfian king, 
 in three years, deftroyed the power of the Lacedc-emonians, 
 who were polTeiTed at that time of the greateft flrength and 
 glory, yet, having war with Evagoras for ten years, he left 
 him lord of the fame pofTciTions of which he was before the 
 war began. But this is moft to be admired : that very 
 city, which, when another reigned in, Evagoras took with 
 fifty men, the Perfian king could not conquer with his 
 mighty forces. Now, how can any one more nobly fhew the 
 fortitude, prudence, and all the virtues of Evagoras, than 
 by the hiftory of his adions and dangers ? for it is certain 
 that he not only furpafTed the exploits of other wars, but 
 thofe carried on by heroes, and celebrated in hymns and 
 poems by all men ; for they, with united Greece, only took 
 Troy, but he, tho' he had but one city, made war againft 
 all Afia : wherefore, had as many praifed him as have praifed 
 them, he had acquired greater glory than they. Who, a- 
 mongft them, if we omit fables, and examine the truth, 
 did fo great things as he ? or, who was the author of fuch 
 great changes in affairs ? Of a private perfon he made him- 
 fclf a king, and reftored all his family, who had been ex- 
 cluded from public authority, to their former dignity. He 
 made his citizens, of barbarians that they were^ humane, v 
 of effeminate, warlike, and of obfcure, famous ; and tho' 
 he had found a place averfe to commerce, and enfavag^d, 
 yet he rendered it more humane and civilized : befides' 
 having a quarrel with the king, he fo nobly revenged him- 
 felf, that the war he carried on in Cyprus, ought*^ ever to 
 be remembered : but, whilft he was his ally, he was fo much 
 more beneficial to him than the reft, that, by the confeifion 
 of all, he affifted him with the greateft naval forces in the 
 battle at Cnidos ; which being over, the king was confti- 
 tuted lord of all Afia ; and the Lacedemonians, tho' before 
 they wafted the continent, were forced to fight for their own 
 City ; the Greeks, inftead of flavery, recovered their Jiber- 
 ty i and the Athenians had fuch acceffion of power, that 
 
 P 3 they. 
 
214 The ORATIONS 
 
 they, who governed them before, now came to offer them 
 the fovereignty. Wherefore, fhould any one afk me, which 
 I think the noblefl amongft the a6lions of Evagoras j whe- 
 ther his endeavours and preparations againft the Lacedae- 
 monians, on account of which what was mentioned before 
 came to pafs, or his poflefling himfelf of the kingdom in 
 laft war, or the whole adminiftration of his affairs ? I 
 fliould be in a great hefitation ; for whichfoever T once turn 
 my mind to, that feems to me the greateft and moft wonr 
 derful. Wherefore, if fome of the antients have been made 
 immortal by virtue, I judge him to have been thought wor- 
 thy of the reward ; and by this proof, that he led a life more 
 happy and acceptable to the gods than they, to his c'eath : 
 for we fhall find moft, and the moft famous of the demi^ 
 gods, to have fallen into the greateft calamities ; but Eva- 
 goras was not only deferving admiration from the beainr 
 ning, but continued fo, and happy to the end, What 
 part of happinefs was wanting to him ? who had fuch pa- 
 rents as no other, unlefs thofe who were defcended from 
 the fame : and he fo far excelled others in body and ftrength, 
 that he was worthy not only of governing Salamis, but of 
 all Afia; and, when he had moft glorioufly acquired a king- 
 dom, died in the poffeffion of it : in fine, tho' mortal by na-? 
 turc, he left behind him an immortal memory ; lived fuch 
 a time, that he was neither excluded from old age, nor 
 fubjeiSl to thofe difeafes which arife from it ; befides, what 
 is looked upon a rare cafe, he was not deprived of a nu- 
 merous and virtuous offspring, but was happy in this 
 too; and, what is greateft of all, left none of his defcen- 
 dents ftiled by vulgar names, but one called king, others 
 princes, ?.nd others princcfi'es : wherefore, if ajiy of the 
 poets, ufing an hyperbolical way of exprcffion, have faid 
 fuch a one was a god amongft men, or a deitv, it is cer? 
 tainly juft that the fame ftiould be faid of his exalted nar 
 ture. 
 
 But I judge many things have efcaped me, which I 
 Cipuld have faid of Evagoras ; for I want tlie vigour of age, 
 
 whereby 
 
 i*~' 
 
 ¥-\-VJ 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S, 215 
 
 Xvhereby I might have finiflied, in a more accurate and ele- 
 gant manner, this oration. But even now he paffes not un- 
 praifed, to the beft of my abilities. I, O Nicocles ! think 
 the images of the body beautiful monuments, but the images 
 of adlions, and the mind, far more worthy, which are only 
 to be feen in eloquent orations. I prefer thefe firft, becaufo 
 I know noble and good men are not fo elated with the beau- 
 ty of body, as with the glory which attends their aclions ; 
 befides, that ftatues can only be amongft thofe where they 
 are placed, but orations may fpread through Greece, and, 
 thus diftributed, be efteemed in the company of wife men ; 
 amongft whom honour is more valuable than among all 
 others ; bccaufe, by ftatuary or painting, none can ever ex- 
 prefs^the nature of the body, but it is an eafy matter for 
 others to imitate their manners and natures, who are repre*^ 
 fcnted by writing, if they chufe not to be flothful, but good 
 men : for whofc fake I have more willingly undertaken this 
 oration ; judging, that this will be the moft honourable ex- 
 hortation to you, your children, and all who defcend from 
 Evagoras, if any one, colle6ling his virtues, and adorning 
 them by eloquence, expofe them to your view, and put it 
 in your power to be always converfant with them : for we 
 exhort others to virtue, by propoftng to them the examples 
 of others, that, emulating thofe who are praifed, they may 
 emulate the fame inftitutcs with them; but I exhort you 
 and yours, not ufmg foreign but domeftic examples, and 
 advife you to be attentive, that you neither fall ftiort, in 
 words or anions, of any of the Grecians : nor think 'I am 
 accufmg you, as if I thought you little follicitous about 
 this, becaufe I often exhort you to the fame ; for neither I, 
 or others, are ignorant, that you are the firft of thofe who 
 live in regal power, amidft riches and pleafures, who has 
 attempted to join labour and philofophy 5 and that you will 
 caufe many kings, by emulation of your learning, to love 
 fuch ftudies, and omit thofe things which they now tako 
 great pleafure in. But tho' I know this, yet I both doj^ 
 md will doj as fpedators at gymnaftic games ; for they da 
 
 P 4 m^ 
 
2i6 The O R A T I O N S, fee. 
 
 not encourage the mean-fpirited, but thofe who contend 
 for vi(5lory. It therefore becomes me, and other friends, to 
 fay and write fuch things, by which we may excite you ftill 
 to defire what you now love : and it becomes you to omit 
 nothing, but take care at prefent, and in time to come, 
 that, by exercifing your mind, you may become worthy of 
 your father and anceftors ; for it becomes all highly to va- 
 lue wifdom, but efpecially you who prefide over fo many. 
 You ought not to be content, if you are better than thofe 
 who now live, but grieve, if, being fuch by nature, origin 
 nally defcended from Jupiter, and lately from a man of fuch 
 diftinguifhed virtues, you do not only far excel others, but 
 thofe who are placed with you in the fame dignity. It is in 
 your power not to fall fhort of this ; for if you perfevere in 
 the ftudy of virtue, and make fuch progrefs as hitherto, you 
 will foon become fuch as you ought to be, ' * 
 
 TH5 TENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES: 
 
 OR, THE 
 
 Praise of HELEN. 
 
 THE 
 
 i 
 
 
 - -X' 
 

 [ ^19 ] 
 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 n^HIS is, perhaps, the ?ioklcJl panegyric that 
 ever was compofed of Heleiiy exccptijig Ho- 
 
 7ner's, which JJnnes with the pomp, JiSlion, and 
 
 beauty of all poetry. It has many digreffions ; 
 
 but this is natural on fuch an occafion, when the 
 fubjeB is too confined. That part, i^elatijig to 
 
 beauty, has been emulated by Lucian, but not 
 
 fuccefsfully , in the opinion of the learned. This 
 
 difcourfe fioidd be looked upon as a contefl of fo^ 
 fhijls in their own waw 
 
 THE TENTH 
 
 ■'■.' 
 ■J 
 
 
 ''■ t. ft -' 
 
 
 
 Oration of IsocRATE*: 
 
 OR, THE 
 
 PRAISE of HELEN. 
 
 SOME there arc who glory, if they can but fpcak 
 tolerably on an abfurd fubje^l; and fome have grown 
 old in afTerting, that no one can fpeak a falfity, or 
 affirm contradI,(Slions, or make two oppofite orations upon 
 the fiime topics 5 others arguing, that fortitude, wifdom, 
 and jufHce, are the fame ; that we have none of them by^ 
 nature, but that inftru(ftion is the caufe of them all. Others 
 pafs their time in chicanery about trifles, which conduces to 
 no good, but may puzzle thofe who will trouble themfelves 
 in fuch ^ manner. Did I perceive fuch nonfenfe had its 
 rife lately in rhetoric, and that fuch men could glory in the 
 novelty of invention, I fhould not fo much wonder at 
 them. Now, who is there amongft us fo belated in ftudy, 
 who is ignorant, that Protagoras, and the fbphifts of thofe 
 times, left us fuch, and more laborious writings ? for who 
 can furpafs Gorgias, who dares to fay, nothing that exifts 
 is real r or Zcno, who endeavours to prove the fame things 
 pofTible and impoilible ? or MelifTus, who, though created 
 things are infinite, endeavoured to find out reafons, where- 
 by to demonilrate that the v/hole univerfe was an unity ? 
 jBut altho' they have demonflrated fo evidently, that it is 
 eafy i'pr any one to invent a falfe difcourfe about what is 
 
 propofed. 
 
220 The ORATIONS 
 
 propofed, yet they continue in the fame circle ; whom it did 
 become, omitting the fallacies of words, whereby they have 
 promifed to evince any thing, but which have been found 
 - idle a long time, to purfue truth, and inllru£> their cotem- 
 porarics in thofc things whereby the commofi wealth iub- 
 fifls ; reflecling, tliat it is far better, that any one (hould 
 have a moderate judgment about ufeful things, than know 
 y' ufclefs ones accurately, and be a little fuperior in great af- 
 ^jj^han to excel greatly in fmall things, and fuch as arc 
 ^ ays beneficial to life: but they have nothing in view, 
 but to take money from young men. Now, a contention 
 about trifles can efTcd this ; for thofc who neither heed 
 private or public affairs, are chiefly delighted with thefe 
 orations which are fubfetvient to no good. Now, young 
 men ought to be pardoned for thinking fo ; for they are, in 
 all refpedls, attentive to thofe things, which are fuperfluous 
 and wonderful. But it is juft to reprehend thofe who profefs 
 to teach others, bccaufc they blame fuch who deceive in con- 
 tracb, or ufe language wrongfully; but do far worfe them- 
 felves than the others 5 for the others indeed may hurt ftran- 
 gers, but they prejudice chiefly their friends : fo that they 
 have fo encreafed the licence of lying, that feme feeing per- 
 fons enriched by fuch means, have dared to aficrt in writ- 
 ing, that the Kvcs cf mendicants and exiles are more to be 
 defired than that of other men ; and they would havq this 
 pafs for a proof or fpecimen, that they, if they can but fpeak 
 any thing of fuch fcandalous things, fhall eafjy be redun- 
 dantly copious upon good and noble topics. Now, it feems 
 to me the mofl ridiculous thing imaginable, to endeavour, 
 by fuch means, to prove themfelves fkilled in political af- 
 feirsi while it is permitted them to give a proof in what 
 they profefs : for it becomes thofc, who contend about wif^ 
 y dom, and call themfelves profeflbrs of It, to excel and ex- 
 ceed, in virtue, private perfons, not in thofe things which 
 are negleded by other Grecians, but in fuch as are emu- 
 lated by all. Now, they ac^ in fuch a manner, as if a perfon 
 fhould profefs himfelf a mofl excellent combatant, while he 
 
 trodc 
 
 of 1 S O C R A T E S. 22r 
 
 trode a fta^-e, where none would vouchfafc to enter. Who 
 that is wife would praife calamities ? It is evident, they 
 have recourfe to fuch topics out of weaknefs ; for there is 
 one method of all fuch writings, which it is neither difficult 
 to find, learn, or imitate : for common orations, fuch as are 
 worthy of credit, and the like, are both invented and ex- 
 prefiTed by many forms and figures, which are diflEcult to be 
 underftood ; and are fo much more diflRcult in the compofi- 
 tion, as it is more arduous to be a grave perfon than a buf- 
 foon, and adl a ferious than a ludicrous part. This is a 
 ckar proof of this truth ; for none of thofe, who either 
 chufed to praife bees, fait, and the like, ever wanted, but 
 abounded in words; but all have laid, that thofe who have 
 endeavoured to fpeak of what was confefl^edly good and lau- 
 dable, or of thofe who diftinguifhed themfelves by virtue, 
 have fallen far fliort of what might have been fpoken; for y 
 it is not the part of the fame genius to fpeak worthily of*/ 
 both kinds of thefe topics ; but it is an eafy matter to ex- 
 ceed, by language, fmall fubjeds ; on the contrary, to equal 
 the fublimity of the other, is very diflRcuIt : fo it is an 
 arduous talk to invent, upon celebrated topics, what no one 
 has faid before ; but whatever any one happens to fpeak of 
 low and abjecSt fubjeds, is his o wn.l Wherefore I praife 
 him particularly, who has written the encomium of Helen, 
 of all thofe who would write elegantly ; becaufe he made 
 that woman his fubjed, who excelled in her origin, her 
 beauty, and glory. But fomething efcaped his judgment: 
 he fays, he defigns her panegyric ; but h's difcourfe is an 
 apology for what (he did. Now, fuch an oration is not of 
 one and the fame form or kind, but the quite contrary ; for 
 an apology ought to be made for thofe who are guilty of in- 
 juftice : and that I may not do what is the eafiefl, repre- 
 hend others, but produce nothing myfelf, I will endeavour 
 to fpeak concerning her ; omitting all that has ever been 
 faid of her by others. 
 
 I WILL make her firft origin the beginning of xny dif- 
 courfe 5 for tho' many demi-gods were begotten by Jupiter, 
 
 he 
 
%2.z The ORATIONS 
 
 he vouchafed alone to be called the father of this woman % 
 and tho' he was follicitous about the fon of Alcmena, he fo 
 far honoured Helen above Hercules, that he gave him 
 ftrength indeed, whereby he might conquer by force all 
 others, but to her he gave beauty, which vanquifhes ftrength 
 itfelf, and has a natural empire over it. And knowings 
 that fplendor and glory arife not from inactivity, but from 
 war and confli£ls j and not defigning only to exalt theis* 
 bodies among the gods, but appropriate immortal honour? 
 to them, he made the life of the one obnoxious to labour 
 and dangers, but the nature and perfection of the other' 
 fuch as was to be admired and contended for by war. 
 
 And, firfl:, Thefeus, faid to be the fon of i^gcus, but. 
 In reality, of Neptune, having {z^w her, tho' not in the full 
 bloom of age, but far excelling others, he, who was accuf- 
 tomed to conquer others, was fo vanquifhed by her beauty, 
 that, tho' he had an extenfive country, and a fafe kingdom, 
 he thought the poficiTion of all his prefent goods nothing 
 without enjoyment of her : but when he could not have her 
 from thofe under whofe authority Ihe was (for they waited 
 for her age, and the Pythian oracle), defpifing the kingdom 
 of Tyndarus, nay, defpifing the flrength of Caflor and Pol- 
 lux, negleding all the dangers he might incur at Sparta, and 
 feizing her by force, he carried her off to Aphidna, a town 
 in Attica. And he was fo grateful to his friend Pirithous, 
 who aififted him in the enterprize of this ravifhment, that 
 when his friend would needs pofTefs Jupiter and Ceres'^ 
 daughter, and exhorted him to make, in concert, a defcent 
 into hell, when he could not by his advice difluade him, 
 tho' certain calamity was in view, yet he would accom- 
 pany him; judging he ought to make him this return, and 
 difobey none of Pirithous's commands, for the dangers he 
 had run for his fake. If he, who did all this, had been one 
 of the vulgar, and not of the mod: excellent amongft man- 
 kind. It could not as yet be clear, whether this was a praifo 
 of Helen, or an accufatlon of Thefeus. Now, amongft 
 other illuftrious men, we fiudl find fome to have wanted 
 
 fortitude? 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 223 
 
 fortitude, fome, wifdom, fome, other parts of virtue ; but 
 we ihall perceive him to have wanted none of thefe, but to 
 have been poflefTed of compleat virtue : I think I ought to 
 fpeak more at large of him ; for I judge this to be the 
 ilrongeft argument that any who praife Helen can ufe, if it 
 is proved, that all they who admired her, deferved more 
 admiration themfelves than others. As for what happens 
 in our times, we have a right to judge of fuch things ac- 
 cording to our bed opinions ; but, in regard of antient 
 thingrs, we muft take care that our fentlments are confonant 
 to the fentlments of thofe who thought juftly in thofe times. 
 What I have to mention as to Thefeus's honour, particu- 
 larly, is, that he made his glory emulous of Hercules, who 
 was born in the fame time 3 for they were not only deco-; 
 rated with the fame arms, but they followed the fame infti- 
 tutes, a6ting as it was worthy of thofe of the fame family; 
 for being begctten, the one by Jupiter, the other by Nep- 
 tune, they had fimilar affedions ; for they alone, of all who 
 had lived before, became combatants for the lives and good 
 of mankind. It happened, that the one did the more fa- 
 mous and greater exploits ; but the other, fuch as were more 
 beneficial and related to the Grecians : for Euryftheus or- 
 dered the one, that he fhould drive from Erythea certaia 
 oxen, carry off the Hefperian apples, drag up Cerberus from 
 hell, and undertake other labours of this kind, by which he 
 could not benefit others, but run hazards himfelf. But no 
 fooner was the other mafter of his own condudl, than he 
 chofe fuch conflicts, whereby he might be judged the bene- 
 factor of all Greece, or his own country ; and, after he had 
 conquered alone that bull which had been fent in by Nep- 
 tune, deftroyed the country, and was dreaded by' all, he 
 freed all thofe who inhabited the city from great fear and 
 tumult. After this, being an ally with the Lapithae, and 
 undertaking an expedition againll: the Centaurs, conquer- 
 ing thofe double-bodied monfters, who excelled in fwiftnefs, 
 in ftrength, and boldnefs, deftroyed fome cities, were ready 
 to wafte others, and threatned others, he foon quelled their 
 
 inib* 
 
i24 The O R A t 1 6 N S 
 
 infolence, and fhortly after extlngulflied their whole race^' 
 About the fame time, when that monfter had appeared, 
 which was born in Crete of Pafiphae, the daughter of the 
 fon, to whom the city was ordered by the oracle to fend 
 fourteen youths as a tribute, feeing them dragged away, and 
 accompanied by the people, to an unjuft and premature 
 death, he conceived that indignation, that he judged it bet- 
 ter to die than live bafely, governing a city, which wa^ 
 forced to pay fuch a miferable tribute to enemies. Sailing 
 therefore with the others, and vanquifhing that monfter, 
 compofed of a man and bull, with ftrength adequate to fuch 
 a nature, he reftored the children fafe to their parents, and 
 heed the city from fuch an unjuft, cruel, and inevitable 
 burden, 
 
 I AM dubious how I ihall employ my other aro-uments ; 
 for, fmce I am come to the adlions of Thefeus, and begin- 
 ning to fpeak of them, I am not willing to break off in the 
 middle, and omit the barbarity of Sciron, Cercyon, and 
 the like ; engaging with whom, he freed Greece from many 
 and great calamities. I perceive, I am hurried too far, and 
 am afraid, left I ftiould have more concern for him than my 
 firft fubjedl: I chufe, therefore, rather to omit many things, 
 for the fake of thofe who are delicate auditors, and fpeak of 
 what remains as briefly as poftible, that I may partly comply 
 with their humour, and partly with my own ; for I am 
 determined not to be entirely worfted by thofe who envy 
 others, and iind fault with all that is faid by them. He 
 therefore ftiewed his fortitude in thofe aclions, when he 
 fought alone ; but he ftiewed his knowledge in military af- 
 fairs, in thofe battles, when he was aftifted by the whole 
 city ; and his piety towards the gods, both in the fuppli- 
 cations of Adraftus and the children of Hercules ; for he 
 faved the latter, by conquering the Peloponnefians, and he 
 gave thofe who had fallen under the Cadmean caftle, in 
 fpite of the Thebans, to be buried. He proved his other 
 virtues and moderation, both by the fore- mentioned in- 
 ftances, and particularly by his adminiftration of the city; 
 
 for. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 225 
 
 for obfervlng, that they, who endeavoured to govern the 
 city by violence, were flaves to others, and thofe very per- 
 fons, who would make the lives of others full of danger* 
 were fo ftruck with fears themfelves, that they were forced 
 to enter into war, jointly indeed with the city, againft invad- 
 ing enemies, but with others againft fellow-citizens ; that 
 they fpoiled the temples of the gods, flew the beft of citizens, 
 were diffident of their neareft relations, nor were happier than 
 thofe who are imprifoned for capital crimes j yet that they 
 appeared externally happy, while they grieved internally 
 more than others (for what can be more intolerable than to 
 live continually in fear, left fome flander-by fliould take a- 
 way one's life, and no lefs dread their guards than aflaflins?) 
 Defpifmg fuch wretchednefs, and thinking fuch not princes, 
 but plagues of the city, he ftiewed it was eafy both to go- 
 vern, and be in no worfe condition than thofe who live as 
 private perfons. And, firft, he colledled together the citizens, 
 who dwelt in feparate and fcattered villages, into one place, 
 and made the city fo great, that it remains to this day the 
 largeft of all Greece. Afterwards, when he eftablifhed his 
 country upon the principle of equality, had freed the minds 
 of his citizens from fears, he let the pretenflon to magi- 
 ftracy be common to all ; being as full of noble courage, 
 fhould they do their beft efforts, as if they were funk in 
 indolence : for he thought thofe honours more pleafmo- 
 which are conferred by brave men, than thofe which arc 
 by flaves ; and he was fo far from doing any thing contrary 
 to the will of the citizens, that he made the people lords of 
 the government ; but they would have him only to govern 
 judging hi,s monarchy more upright and equitable than their 
 own democracy. He did not, as fome do, transfer the la- 
 bour to others, while he himfelf alone enjoyed pleafures j but 
 he aflumed dangers to himfelf, and made all utility com- 
 mon : therefore he paft his life beloved, nor ever was ex^ 
 pofed to treachery. Nor did he preferve his power by fo- 
 reign troops ; but was furroundcd, as it were, by a guard, 
 with the benevolence of his own citizens. He reigned by 
 
 Q, power. 
 
226 The ORATIONS 
 
 power, but he was popular by beneficence ; for he governed 
 the city with fuch juftnefs and glory, that there aie ftill 
 traces of his lenity in our manners. 
 
 How fliould wc then do otherwife, than praife her who 
 was begotten by Jupiter, and endowed with fuch virtue 
 and modefty, and think (he muft have excelled all women 
 who ever w'ere ? for we cannot bring a more unanfwerable 
 teftimony of the excellencies of Helen, than the judgment 
 of Thcfeus. But that I may not feem to dwell upon the 
 fame topic, on account of the barrennefs of my fubjed, nor 
 mifufeone man's praife to make her encomium, I fhall pur- 
 fue my difcourfe. For, after the defcent of Thefeus to hell, 
 when fhe was returned to Lacedxmon, and arrived at a 
 proper age for marriage, all who then reigned, and obtained 
 the principality in their cities, had the fame opinion of her ; 
 for tho' they could have married the chief women in their 
 refpecliv e cities, defpifmg domeftic alliances, all fought af- 
 ter her in marriage. Even while he was not yet chofen, 
 who was to live with her (but fortune was dill common), 
 it wasfo evident to all, -that flie would be contended for by 
 war, that, in an aflembly,'they gave their folemn promife to 
 each other, they would aflift him, if any one ihoulddareto 
 take her by violence from him, who was judged worthy of 
 poflefling her ; and each concluded he was procuring this fe- 
 curity for himfelf: but all, except one man,were difappointed 
 of their private hope; yet none cf them were deceived in 
 that opinion which they had of her : for no great time be- 
 ing ^lapfed, and a difputc happening among the goddefTes 
 concerning their beauty, Alexander the fon of Priam was 
 conftituted arbiter; and tho' Juno offered him the empire 
 of all Afia, Minerva vidories in war, but Venus the pof- 
 feffion of Helen, not being capable of judging of fuch god- 
 deffes bodies, but dazzled with their rays, and forced to be 
 rather a judge of the rewards, he preferred the enjoyment of 
 Helen before all ; not that he principally regarded pleafure 
 (tho' it is preferred, and by wife men, before many things), 
 but he aimed not fo much at that, but to become and be 
 
 called 
 
 »< 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 12Z 
 
 called the fon-in-law of Jupiter ; thinking this honour far 
 greater, and more glorious, than the kingdom of Afia; that 
 great empires and power may be the portion of worthlefs 
 men, but that none of all pofterity would ever be judged 
 worthy of fuch a woman. Befides, he confidered this, that 
 he could not leave a more noble poffeffion to his children, 
 than if he procured them this, that they fhould be, upon 
 account of father and mother, defcended from Jupiter* 
 He knew, that the other goods of fortune foon pafs over 
 to others; but that nobility is the inheritance of the 
 fame. Wherefore he forefaw, that this choice would be- 
 nefit all his pofterity ; but that the other gifts would only 
 concern the age in which he lived. No wife man, I fup- 
 pofe now, will reprehend his fentiment, though fome 
 of thofe who confider nothing which precedes, but the 
 event alone, have reviled him ; whofe folly is eafy to 
 be learned by thofe reproaches which they have caft out 
 againft him. Muft they not be thought to aft abfurdly, if 
 they imagine their judgment is better than his, which was 
 preferred by all the goddeflbs ? for they did not make, upon 
 their great difpute, any fortuitous perfon judge ; but it is 
 evident, that they were as foUicitous about a proper judge, 
 as the thing in queftion. We^re to confider who he was, 
 and not form our ideas from the refentment of the difap- 
 pointed goddefles, but from their difpofition,whiIe they pre- 
 ferred his judgment to that of all others. It is ufual, that 
 thofe fhould fuffer from the more powerful, who have defer ved 
 no harm; but no mortal could have been appointed judgo be- 
 tween goddeffes, or had fuch an honour, unlefs he exceeded 
 in wifdom. I wonder any one can think him to have con- 
 fulted ill, if he chofe to live with her, for whofe fake many 
 of the demi-gods chofe to die. How could he be other- 
 wife than foolifli, if, while he faw that goddefl^es con- 
 tended about beauty, he ftiould have defpifed it ? nor have 
 efteemed that the greateft gift, which they were the moft: 
 follicitous about ? Who would have defpifed the bed of He- 
 len ? on account of whofe being carried off from her huf- * 
 
 Q^ 2 band, 
 
228 The ORATIONS 
 
 banc], all the Greeks were fired with an equal indlgnatiort, 
 as if Greece had been entirely plundered ; and the Barba- 
 rians became as infolent as if they had conquered us all. 
 It is evident what were the difpofitions of both ; for tho' 
 many diflenfions had happened betwixt them before, yet 
 they remained quiet : but they ftirred up fo great a war for 
 her, not in refpedl of the heat only, but time alfo, and the 
 variety of preparations, as none were before. And when 
 it was permitted the one party, by the reflitution of He- 
 len, to be freed from calamities, and the other, by the ne- 
 gledl of her, to pafs their whole lives in fecurity, neither 
 of them would do Co ; but one fide fufi'ercd their cities to 
 be overthrown, and their country to be laid waftc, before 
 they would reftore her to the Grecians ; and the other 
 chofe to grow old in a foreign land, never to fee their own 
 again, rather than, leaving her behind, return into their own 
 countries. They did not do this upon account of Alexander 
 and Menelaus ; but as on one fide contending for Afia, and 
 the other for Europe ; thinking, that in whatever part of the 
 world fhc lived, it would be the more happy. And fuch ardor 
 was there in regard of that expedition, not only in Greeks 
 and Barbarians, but likewife in the gods themfelves, that 
 they did not even pfeferve their own children from thofe 
 conflicts which happened before Troy. But tho' Jupiter 
 foreknew the fate of Sarpedon, Aurora that of Sarpdon^ 
 Neptune that of Cygnus, Thetis that of Achilles, yet they 
 exhorted them to it, and fent them with others ; judging it 
 would be more glorious for them to die fighting for the 
 daughter of Jupiter, than live without encountering dangers 
 for her ; nay, they themfelves fuftained a harder and more 
 dubious conflidl than what they had undergone againft the 
 giants: for they fought againft thefc in mutual league; but 
 for her they fought againft one another. They certainly 
 judged rightly ; and 1 may ufethis loftinefs of expreflion on 
 this occafion. She had the greateft fhare of beauty, which, 
 of all thing?, is certainly the moft admirable, valuable, and 
 divine. It is an cafy matter to know its power; for it will 
 
 appear 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 229 
 
 appear to have been more honoured than valour, wifdom, 
 or juftice ; and we ihall find what is deprived of beauty to 
 be had in no account, but every thing to be de'pifed, if it 
 does not participate of it ; nay, that virtue itfelf is chiefly 
 celebrated, becaufe its fludy is the moft beautiful of all. 
 But it may be known from hence, how far beauty excells all 
 other things, if we confider the difpofition of our minds to- 
 wards it ; for we defire only to be pofTefled of the other 
 things we ftand in need of, nor are we affeded by them in 
 our minds any further ; but fuch a defire is implanted in us 
 of what is beautiful, that it has fo much greater ftrengtl^' 
 than prudence, as the nature of beauty is the moil- excel 
 lent: and we envy thofe who excel in underftanding, or an 
 other thing, unlefs they daily oblige us, and force us to lov 
 them; but we are favourable to the beautiful, as foon aa 
 ever we fee them, and are never weary of worihipping 
 them, as if they were gods ; nay, we more willingly obey 
 fuch than command others, thinkins; ourfelves more oblio-ed, 
 tho' they give us many commands, than if they commanded 
 nothing at all. Thofe who addrefs themfelves to perfons 
 poflefTed of other excellencies, we are apt to reproach, and 
 call flatterers ; but we think thofe elegant and ingenious, 
 who devote themfelves to beauty ; nay, we have fuch a re- 
 fpea and reverence for this quality, that, fliould any a- 
 mongft thofe who are pofleiTed of beauty, proflitute it for 
 money, and depreciate their youth, we fligmatize them 
 with more infamy than thofe who have offered violence to 
 the bodies of others : but as for thofe who have preferved 
 their beauty inaccelfible to others as a temple, we honour 
 them ever after, as thofe who have done fome fignal good to 
 the city. Why fhould we fpend time in mentioning human 
 opinions ? Even Jupiter, who governs all, {hews his power in 
 other regards, but he does not difdain to approach beauty in 
 an humble manner ; for he approached Alcmena in the form 
 of her hufband Amphitryon ; he enjoyed Danae, flowing 
 into her lap like gold ; but he fled to the bofom of Neme- 
 fis under the transformation of a fwan ; and, again, affimi- 
 
 Q. 3 lating 
 
 W>-s 
 
k>-^ 
 
 230 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 latinghimfelf to the famebirdjhe carefled Leda. 'TIs certain, 
 that he always prevailed over fuch natures by art, and not 
 by violence ; nay, there is fo much the greater honour paid 
 amongft the gods to beauty, than amongft us, that they 
 pardon their wives when they are overcome by beauty; and 
 it is an eafy matter to enumerate many immortal goddefles, 
 who have been too weak for mortal beauty ; none of whom 
 would have thefadl concealed, as if it had been any difgrace; 
 but as if all had pafled to a wonder, they would rather have 
 fuch things celebrated by hymns than concealed. The 
 greateft proof of what I have faid is, that we fhall find 
 more made immortal for beauty than all other excellencies ; 
 fill whom Helen as far excelled, as (he furpafled them in 
 the beauty of her face. She not only obtained immorta- 
 lity, but, acquiring a power equal with the gods, firft of 
 all fhe immortalized her brothers, who had been fubjedl: to 
 death ; but, defigning to make this change illuftrious, fhe 
 conferred on them fuch confpicuous honours, that, if they 
 were feen by thofe who were in danger at fca, all Ihould be 
 faved who prayed to them with devotion : and, afterwards, 
 fhe fhewed fuck gratitude toMenelaus for all his labours and 
 dangers which he underwent upon her account, that, when 
 the whole family of Pelops was ruined, and fallen into in- 
 extricable calamities, fhe did not only free him, but, -after 
 fhe had made him of a mortal a god, fhe made him her co- 
 partner, and afTefTor for ever. And I can have, for witnefs 
 of thefe things, the city of Sparta, which is particularly 
 careful of preferving antiquities ; for even yet, at Therap- 
 use, in the Laconian territory, they make folemn facrifices 
 to them, by their country's ritual, not only as to heroes, 
 but as to divinities. She likewife fhewed her power to the 
 poet Stefichorus ; for, in the beginning of a poem, having 
 ' written fomething of fatire againft her, he rofe next day 
 deprived of his fight ; but after, upon his underftandingthe 
 caufe of his calamity, he made what is called his recanta- 
 tion, the goddefs reftored him to the fameflate in which he 
 was before. Some of the Homerides likewife afHrm, that, 
 
 ftand^ 
 
 •e-:/l 
 
 ' *,. : 
 
 of I S O C R A T E 8. 231 
 
 Handing by Homer in the night-time, fhe ordered him to 
 compofe his poem of thofe who had fought at Troy; hav- 
 ing a mind to render their deaths more eligible than the lives 
 of others : and that it was partly by the genius of Homer, 
 but chiefly upon her account, that his poem is fo full of 
 beauty, and famous every-where. Therefore it becomes 
 thofe, who excel in riches, to appeafe and honour her with 
 donations, facrifices, and other religious worfliip, as one 
 who is capable of inflicting punifhment, and fhewing gra- 
 titude ; and it becomes the learned and eloquent to endea- 
 vour to fay fomething worthy of thofe excellencies which 
 fhined out in her ; for it certainly would redound to the 
 honour of the liberally-educated, to offer her fuch firft- 
 fruits of their genius. 
 
 Much more has been omitted by me than might have 
 been faid ; for we ought to think, that befides both thefe 
 arts, fciences and utilities, which may be referred to her 
 and the Trojan war, that it is juflly alfo owing to Helen, 
 that we are not flaves to the Barbarians ; we fliall find, that, 
 by her means, the Greeks became united, undertook a 
 common expedition againft the Barbarians, and Europe 
 then, for the firfl time, ereded a trophy for the conquefl of 
 Afia ; whence happened fuch a change, that tho', in former 
 times, fuch as were unhappy amongft the Barbarians thought 
 themfelves worthy of reigning in Grecian cities, Danaus 
 the Egyptian fugitive had feized Argos, Cadmus the Sido- 
 nian had reigned in Thebes, Cares had polTefTed the iflands, 
 and Pelops, the fon of Tantalus, fubdued all Peloponnefus ; 
 yet, after this war, our nation received fuch increafe, that it 
 fnatched many cities, and a fpacious country, from the Bar- 
 barians. Wherefore, if any will handle more accurately, 
 and protradl: thefe topics, he will not want an opportunity 
 of praifing Helen beyond what I have done; but fuch will 
 find out many new and noble arguments for making her elo- 
 gium. 
 
 Q4 
 
 THE 
 
 ! 
 
II 
 
 THE ELEVENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES 
 
 O R, 
 
 His Panegyric of Bu sir is, 
 
[ 235 ] 
 
 
 5^l8ii3IISiS«a34i3^a3«^8S^i3*^ifl3*^S0^S«^^^ 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 jDUSIRIS isfamcus in hifiory, This oration 
 '^ feems written to conz'ince afophiji of bis ab- 
 furdityj licho had delighted in ivriting upon ex- 
 travagant fubjeBs^ and dared to compoje a mer- 
 Cenary oration for the perfecution of Socrates^ a 
 man who Jhone with all human virtues. It con- 
 tains^ tho digrefjlvely^ fine and juji Jentiments^ 
 md deferves to be read for its art and ornaments. 
 
 ^ 
 
 *•- 
 
 **-:- 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 
 \ '' 
 
 > 
 
 I 
 
 THE ELEVENTH 
 
 Oration of I SO crates: 
 
 O R, 
 
 His Panegyric of Busiris. 
 
 IHAVEunderftood from others, O Poly crates ! your 
 moderation and change of life ; and having read my- 
 felf fome of thofe difcourfes which you have publifhed, 
 I ftiould willingly reafon with you about your method' of 
 inftrudlion, which you have been obliged to engage in ; for 
 I think, that, upon all fuch as are undefervedly unhappy, 
 and endeavour by literature to gain money, all who are 
 more experienced and accurate ought to confer fuch a fa- 
 vour. But as we have never yet met together, when we 
 happen to do fo, we may difcourfe about other things more 
 at laro-e. In regard of fuch benefits as I can do you at pre- 
 fent, I think I ought now to communicate them to you, 
 but carefully conceal the fame from others ; for I know, 
 that it is natural to moft of thofe who are admonifhed, that 
 they do not confider the utility, but are the more offended, 
 in proportion as fuch monitors more accurately infpedl into 
 their errors. But yet thofe who are of a benevolent mind 
 to others, muft not be afraid of incurring fuch miftaken 
 refentment, but muft endeavour to change their fentiments, 
 who are afFedled in this manner againft thofe who confult 
 their good. Having obferved therefore, that you do not a 
 little glory in the defence of Bufiris, and the accufation of 
 
 I Socrates, 
 
[ 235 ] 
 
 ^m^m^^^B^^m^mi^m^^m^m^t 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 jDUSIRIS isfamctis in hiftory. This oration 
 "^^ feems written to convince afophijl of his ab- 
 furdity^ ivho had delighted in writing upon ex- 
 travagant fubjeSls^ and dared to compofe a mer^ 
 cenary oration for the perfecution of Socrates ^ a 
 man who Jhone with all human virtues. It con- 
 tainsj tho digrejjively^ fine and jufi jentiments, 
 end deferves to be read for its art and ornaments. 
 
 
 . ' tf - 
 
 
 
 ^must- 
 
 
 THE ELEVENTH 
 
 Oration of I SO crates: 
 
 O R, 
 
 His Panegyric of Bu sir is. 
 
 IHA VE underftood from others, O Polycrates ! your 
 moderation and change of life ; and having read my- 
 felf fome of thofe difcourfes which you have pubUfhed, 
 I fhould willingly reafon with you about your method' of 
 inftru£lion, which you have been obliged to engage in ; for 
 I think, that, upon all fuch as are undefervedly unhappy, 
 and endeavour by literature to gain money, all who arc 
 more experienced and accurate ought to Confer fuch a fa- 
 vour. But as we have never yet met together, when we 
 happen to do fo, we may difcourfe about other things more 
 at laro-e. In regard of fuch benefits as I can do you at pre- 
 fent, I think I ought now to communicate them to you, 
 but carefully conceal the fame from others ; for I know, 
 that it is natural to moft of thofe who are admonifhed, that 
 they do not confider the utility, but are the more offended, 
 in proportion as fuch monitors more accurately infpedl: into 
 their errors. But yet thofe who are of a benevolent mind 
 to others, muft not be afraid of incurring fuch miftaken 
 refentment, but muft endeavour to change their fentiments, 
 who are afFedled in this manner againft thofe who confult 
 their good. Having obferved therefore, that you do not a 
 little glory in the defence of Bufms, and the accufation of 
 
 I Socrates, 
 
^ 
 
 236 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 Socrates, I will endeavour to convince you, that you have 
 departed from the duty of an orator in both thefe difcourfes; 
 for tho' it is known by all, that it is part of thofe who will 
 praife others, to attribute more excellencies to them than 
 they are pofTefTed of, and of them who accufe, to do the 
 contrary, it is far from being true, that you have ufed elo- 
 quence in this manner ; for tho' you profcfs to write a de- 
 fence of Bufiris, you are fo far from freeing him from thofe 
 crimes which are objeded to him, that you have charged 
 him with fuch an atrocious degree of wicicednefs, as cannt)t 
 poflibly be exceeded by invention; for tho' others, who en- 
 deavoured to reproach him, only accufed him of this, that he 
 facriiiced the f Grangers who came to him, you have accufed 
 him even of devouring the very men. But when you would 
 accufe Socrates, as if you had defigned to praife him, you 
 £ive him Alcibiades for a pupil ; whom no one ever knew 
 to have been educated by Socrates ; but that he far excelled 
 others, all men are well acquainted. Wherefore, was it 
 permitted the dead to determine of thofe things which have 
 been faid by you, the one would return you thanks, and 
 the other, tho' he had been the moft humane of all men, 
 yet would be fo inflamed with indignation, that he would 
 abftain from no revenge. But why fhould not that man 
 blufh rather than glory, who ought to be better loved by 
 thofe who have been reviled by him, than by thofe who have 
 been praifed ? And you fo far negled the care of fpeaking 
 confiftently, that you fay, Bufiris was emulous of the glory 
 of i^olus and Orpheus ; but yet you demonftrate, that he 
 applied himfelf to none of thofe ftudies and inflitutes, 
 which they excelled in. Can we compare his adions with 
 thofe of iEolus, as mentioned in hiftory ? for the latter fcnt 
 back in fafety to their coimtrics, fuch Grangers as had been 
 caft upon his fhore ; but the other (if we are to believe 
 what is faid by you) eat the guefts whom he had facrificcd. 
 Shall we compare him with Orpheus ? he brought back the 
 dead from hell ; but Bufiris flew others immaturely : fo that 
 I fhould be defirous of knowing what that man would have 
 
 1 donej 
 
 m 
 
 r; 
 
 
 ..Us. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 237 
 
 d'dne,hacl he defpifed the merits of others, when he evU 
 dently did fuch things to thofe whofe virtues he admired ? 
 But what is the moft glaringly abfurd, is, that, handling 
 the topic of genealogy, you have dared to advance, how 
 that he imitated them, whofe fathers, in thofe times, were 
 not born. But that I may not feem to do what is moft 
 eafy, reprehend what has been faid by others, and give no 
 proof of myfelf, I will endeavour to explain to you briefly, 
 even upon this fubjea, .which is not reputable, nor admit- 
 ting of an illuftrious oration, how one fliould make a pa- 
 
 negyric, or an apolcgy. 
 
 Who is there, who cannot fpeak of the nobility of Bu- 
 firis ? whofe father was Neptune, and mother Libya, the 
 daughter of Epaphus, the fon of Jupiter ; who, they 
 fay,'' the firft of women obtained a kingdom, and left her 
 name to it. But having "fuch parents, he was not proud 
 on that account; but judged, he ought to leave a monu- 
 ment of his virtues to all pofterity. He therefore defpifed 
 his mother's kingdom, as thinking it unworthy of him ; 
 but having conquered very many, and acquired a great 
 power, he fixed his kingdom in Egypt, becaufe he thought 
 it not only amongft all the regions he poiTefled, but the 
 nobleft feat of all other countries of the earth ; for he faw 
 other places not fituated opportunely and conveniently, in 
 refpea of the nature of the whole univerfe, but fome to 
 be inundated by (bowers, and others fcorched by heats ; 
 yet that this country, fituated in the beautifuUeft part of 
 the globe, could produce the moft and beft fruits, and 
 vras furrounded by the Nile, as with an impregnable wall, 
 was appointed by nature not only to give it fafety, but 
 plenty of provifions; and tho' it was infuperable and in- 
 vincible to enemies, yet was commodious for carriages, 
 and ufeful, in many refpeds, to thofe who dwelt within it. 
 Befides what I have mentioned, he made their power in 
 agriculture almoft divine ; for as for Ihowers and droughts 
 which Jupiter is the difpenfer of to others, of both thefe 
 rendered he himfelf matter. And the Egyptians arrived at 
 
 that 
 
238 The ORATIONS 
 
 that pitch of happinefs, that they enjoy the continent In 
 the excellency and nature of their foil, and the extent of 
 their fields, and feem to inhabit an ifland, by the exporta- 
 tion of their producSts, and the importation of what is wanU 
 ing to them j for the Nile running round and through it, 
 has fupplied them with both thefc conveniencies. He there- 
 fore began, as all wife men fhould, by chufing the pleafanteft 
 place, and providing fufficiency for all his fubjeds. 
 
 Afterwards, diftributing them all by order, fomehe 
 made priefts, others he turned to trades, others he obliged 
 to excrcife the arts of war; judging, that things neceflary, 
 I and riches, muft arife from agriculture and mechanics; 
 j and that the fureft protection of them is, military prac- 
 tice, and religion towards the gods. And, afterwards, he 
 took the compleateft meafures to lay down fuch rules, 
 whereby the ftate might be moft prudently governed ; he 
 ordered they fhould continually keep up the fame vocations, 
 knowing well, that thofe who change their employments, 
 become improper to iinifh any thing accurately ; but that 
 each of thofe who continue conftant in the fame ftudies, 
 arrive at excellency. Wherefore, we fhall find them more 
 excelling thofe who are converfaj^t in the fame fciences, thaa 
 artificers, in other places, thofe who are ignorant of them ; 
 and, in refpe(St of that order, whereby they preferve the 
 kingdom and the commonwealth, they fo well behave them- 
 felves, that even thofe philofophers, who have chofen to 
 fpeak upon thefe topics, and arc the moil famous, prefer 
 the form of government in Egypt before all others; and 
 the Lacedaemonians, by intermixing fome of their laws* 
 govern their city in the beft and wifeft manner; for in as 
 much as no one of the military men travels abroad without 
 leave of the magiftrate, that they have common feafls and 
 exercifes of the body, and, by wanting none of the necef* 
 faries of life, negledl not the public edids, nor bufy them- 
 felves in other arts, but apply their minds to arms and expe- 
 ditions ; I fay, they have had all thefe maxims thence. But 
 the Lacedaemonians have, fo much the more imprudently 
 
 than 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 239 
 
 than they, ufed thefe inftitutes, that, by making themfelves 
 all foldiers, they endeavour to feize upon others pofTeflions; 
 but the Egyptians live fo as becomes thofe who neither ne- .^ 
 glea their own, or lie in wait for v^at belongs to others. ; 
 Afiy one may perceive the difference of the methods in go- 
 verning the two commonwealths thus: for fhould we all imi- 
 tate the floth and avarice of the Lacedaemonians, we fhould 
 foon perifh, both on account of the want of daily food, 
 and intefline wars amongfl: ourfelves ; but fhould we fol- 
 low the inflitutes of the Egyptians, fome of us apply our- 
 felves to induftry, and others to the protedion of the flate, 
 we fhould all of us pafs our days happily in our own poiTcf- 
 fions. Moreover, any one may juflly imagine him to have 
 been the origin of the fludy of wifdom ; for he procured 
 the priefls affluence, by religious revenues, infpired them 
 with temperance, by ritual fandity, and he furnifhed them 
 with leifure, by immunities from war and other dangers; 
 and living thus amidft fuch advantages, they invented the 
 help of phyfic, not that indeed which ufes hazardous reme- 
 dies, but fuch as has a fecurity like to daily food. They 
 were authors of fuch benefits, and they are confefTed to be 
 the mofl healthy and long-lived of all men. They have like- 
 wife fhewn their ingenuity by the fludies of philofophy, (o 
 as both to have inflituted laws, and fearched into the na- 
 ture of all things. But he appointed the old men for the 
 practice of what was befl, and perfuaded the youth to de- 
 fpife pleafures, and be converfant with the fludies of afbo- 
 nomy, arithmetic, and geometry; which faculties fome 
 praife as conducive to other things, and fome endeavour to 
 demonflrate, that they conduce highly to the attainment of 
 virtue : but it is particularly jufl to praife and admire their 
 piety and worfliip of the gods ; for as many as fo prepare 
 themfelves as to be more efleemed for philofophy, or any 
 virtue, than they deferve, hurt certainly the deceived : but 
 they, who fo keep up the dignity of religion, that its re- 
 wards and punifhmcnts feem furer than other events, mufl 
 greatly benefit mankind ; for they, who at firfl flruck us 
 
 with 
 
 I 
 
z^o The O R A T I O N S 
 
 with this fear, were the caufe that we live not amongft one 
 another, not in a favage manner as beads ; but they behave 
 themfelves with fuch holinefs and gravity in this regard, that 
 their religious oaths are kept much more facred than they 
 are amongft other people ; and each thinks he ihall imme- 
 diately fufFer for his fault, nor lie hid at prefent, and the 
 penalty be transferred to his children : and, doubtlefs, they 
 judge right in this manner. He appointed for them many 
 and various divine exercifes, and ordered them by law, to 
 worfhip fome of thofe animals which are defplfed amongft 
 us; not that he was ignorant of their natures, but that he 
 judged it proper both to accuftom the common people to 
 obey the magiftrates in all commands, and have an experi- 
 ence, in manifeft things, what notion the vulgar had of hid- 
 den ones ; for he judged, that, perhaps thofe who defplfed 
 fuch things, would defpife greater ; but that thofe, who ob- 
 ferved order in all, had given a proof that their piety was^ 
 eftablifhed *. Now, one who did not haften to a conclu- 
 Con, might fpeak many and pompous things of their fanc- 
 tity, which it is not I who have firft obferved, but many 
 likewife both of the prefent and paft ages; of whom Py- 
 thagoras the Sam/ian is one; who travelling into Egypt, and 
 becoming their difciple, he both introduced the other philo- 
 fophy into Greece, and more man ifeflly fhewed his zeal in 
 what belongs to facrifices and confecrations in temples ; 
 thinking, that tho' he fhould obtain nothing more for this 
 from the gods, yet he fhould thereby be rendered particu- 
 larly famous amongft all men ; which indeed happened : foF 
 he fo far excelled others in fame, that all youths defired to 
 be his difciples, and old men rather chofe to fee their chil- 
 dren converfant with him than attentive to bufmefs. None 
 can dift)elieve this ; for even now we more admire fuch, 
 who profefs themfelves his difciples, for their very filencc, 
 than thofe who have acquired the greateft glory by their 
 eloquence. 
 
 • This is perhaps the befl apology for .all the fuperilitions 
 which remain among Chrillians. 
 
 Perhaps, 
 
 t::- • 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 241 
 
 ^Perhaps, you will objccl to what has been fald, that I 
 praifc mdeed the country, laws, piety, and wifdom of the 
 i^gyptians ; but I can give no proof, that he was the author 
 of what I have mentioned. Should any one elfe reprehend 
 me in this fort, I fliould think he defigned inacnioufly to 
 blame 'me ; but you ftiould not u(e fuch an argument • for 
 when you praifed Bufiris, you took it in vour head to fay 
 that he made the Nile flow round E.ypt, and devoured 
 thofe foreigners who came there ; but that he did this you 
 gave no proof. Now, is it not ridiculous to require' that 
 of others, which you do not attempt yourfelf ? You are 
 remoter than I from fpeaking things credible, becaufe I do 
 not aiTert him author of any thing impo/Tihle, but of laws 
 and ^he eftabliftiment of a commonwealth ; which are the 
 works pTgood- and famous' men. But you make him the 
 cfFeaer of what no mortal ever performed : for one of the 
 aaions you attribute to him, is beftial fava<ienefs, and the 
 other, an acl of the power of the gods. Belldes, if both of ■ / 
 us fpeak what is falfe, j^I have uM fuch expre/Tions as^ 
 become thofe who praifc others ; but you, fuch as are pro- 
 per for them who difpralfe. Wherefore it is certain, that 
 }'ou have not only erred in the truth of things, but in the 
 very forms, whereby we ought to praife. In fine, if, omit- 
 tmg your oration, my oration was to be examined, none 
 would reafon4)l£^dift^ for was it certain, that fome 
 others had done thofe tilings, which I fay were done by 
 him, I would confefs myfelf too bold, if I endeavoured to 
 change their opinions about things which all knew. But 
 fmce the fubje^ is common, and we are to make a con^ 
 jeaure, whom would any one believe to have been the au- 
 thors of the cuftoms eftablifiied there, if he confidcrs the 
 thing in a probable light, rather than him who was begot- 
 ten by Neptune, derived by his mother from Jupiter, ^"^in- 
 vefted with the greateft power of any in his time, and moft 
 famous amongft all ? It is not congruous, that thof who 
 were rather deprived of thefe advantages, fhould have been 
 the authors of fuch good to tJieir country before him, 
 
 ^ More- ' 
 
242 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 Moreover, it is eafy, from the times, to convid thofe ha* 
 ranguers, who have endeavoured to difpraife him, of evident 
 falfehood j for they accufe Bufirls of the (laughter of his 
 guefts, and, they fay, he was (lain hlmfelf by Hercules* 
 Now, it is agreed by all writers of hiHory, that Hercules was 
 later by four ages than Perfeus the fon of Jupiter and Danae j 
 but that Bufiris was above two hundred years earlier than 
 Peifeus, Now, how is it otherwife than abfurd, that, when 
 you defigned to refute the afperfions caft upon him, you 
 omitted this argument, which is fo evident, and fupported 
 with fo great ftrength ? But you had no care of truth, you 
 followed the calumnies of the poets, who aflert thofe to 
 have perpetrated and fufFered more atrocious things, who 
 were born from gods, than thofe who were begotten by the 
 moft wicked men ; nay, they have compofed fuch fiaions 
 of the gods themfclves, as no one would dare to make of 
 his enemies ; for they have not only reproached them with 
 thefts, adulteries, and flavery to men, but the eating of chil- 
 dren, caflration of parents, concubinage with mothers, 
 and a variety of other enormous crimes : for which, in- 
 deed, they did not fuffer worthy punifhment, but, how- 
 ever, they did not go off quite unpunifhed ; for fome of 
 them were vagabonds, and deftitute of daily food ; others 
 flruck blind ; others banifhed their countries, and forced to 
 carry on war with their relations and domeftics all their 
 lives. Orpheus, who was the particular inventer of fuch 
 fables, was torn to pieces; wherefore, if we are wife, we 
 ihall never imitate their writings, nor fhall we majce laws 
 againft thofe who abufe one another, and bear with impu- 
 nity the licence of declaiming againft the gods : we fhall 
 take care, and think tliofe who fay fuch things equally guilty 
 with thofe who believe them. I judge, not only the gods, 
 but their children, were never guilty of any crimes ; but, 
 being by nature themfelves endowed with all virtuevi^e-. 
 came the leaders and mailers to others in all virtuous ftudies ; 
 for it muft be abfurd to fuppofe, that the gods take care of 
 the happiness of our children, and \L;.i they are negligent 
 
 of 
 
 i^X 
 
 
 of I S O C il A t E S. i^2 
 
 toF their own. If any of us could become lord of human 
 hature, fuch a one would not fuffer his domeftics tb bfe vil- 
 lains : I fay then, could there be fuch lords of mankind^ 
 with what indignation fhould we refent it, if they fuffered 
 their own children to be impious and profligate ? And do 
 you think, that you fhall render thofe who come to you as 
 difciples, tho' not belonging to you, virtuous ; and yet judge? 
 the gods take no manner of care of their own offspring ? 
 In your opinion, they are not free from two of the bafeft 
 crimes ; for, if they will not have them to be good, they 
 are of a worfe difpofition than men ; but if they wouldj 
 and are Ignorant of the methods, they have lefs power than 
 even fophifts; 
 
 Tho* many things remain on this fubjedl, by which any 
 - one might amplify this panegyric and defence ; yet I think 
 I ought not to ufe a more diffufe difcourfe ; for I have 
 treated of thefe things, not out of a view of giving others 
 a demonftration, but of inftruding you, how one oucrht 
 to execute both thefe defighs. Any one would think that 
 oration which you wrote, was not a defence, but a confef- 
 fion of the crimes of Bufiris. You do not free him from 
 crimes, but you fhew fome others have done the fame ; as 
 if this would be the eafieft refuge for the guilty. But it is no 
 eafy matter to imagine any crime, which has not already in 
 fome time been committed ; and we judge none of thofe 
 are guilty of an atrocity, provided fome others have done? 
 the like ; muft we not thereby render defence open to all, 
 and give a great licentioufnefs to all who are inclined to be 
 Ivicked ? You will particularly perceive the abfurdity of the 
 things you have advanced, if you confider them in refpcdb 
 to yourfelf. Refle£i: i was you guilty of great and enor- 
 mous crinies, and fhould any defend you in fuch a manner^ 
 in what temper would you be on fuch an occafion ? I 
 know, you would more deteft him than your very accufers; 
 But how can it be otherwife than difgraccful, to make fuch 
 a defence for others, as, were it made for yourfelf, you 
 Would be filled with indignation ? Confider this, and exa- 
 
 R a mine 
 
i 
 
 244 The ORATIONS, Sec. 
 
 mine It in your mind : If any of your intimate friends flioulJ 
 be induced to perpetrate fuch things as you commend, how 
 could he avoid being the mofl miferable both of thofe who 
 now are, and of all that have been ? Now, does it become a 
 man to write fuch an oration, the bed quality of which is to 
 perfuade no body ? Perhaps, you will fay, you were not ig- 
 norant of it ; but had a mind to fet an example to the ilu- 
 dious of eloquence, how it becomes a perfon to make de- 
 fences of bafe and infamous caufes. But if you was igno- 
 rant of it before, I fuppofe it is now evident to you, that 
 any one will foonerbe abfolved by faying nothing, than by 
 making fuch a defence. This likewife is manifcll", that tbo' 
 philofophy labours, as it were, under fatal ncceflity, and is 
 hated by all> it muft become much more odious to all by 
 fuch ©ration?. Wherefore, if you will liilen to me, you 
 "will not handle, for the future, fuch in>pious fubjcdls ; or, 
 at leafl, you will endeavour to fay fuch things, by which you 
 may neither (ccn more wicked yourfelf, nor corrupt your 
 imitators, nor bring the profefTion of eloquence into dif- 
 grace. Nor wonder, if I, who am younger, nor any way 
 related to you, now admonifti you fo freely ; for I do not 
 think it the office of the elder, or the moll intimate, but of 
 thofe who are the moft able and willing to benefit^ to givs 
 good counfel to others. 
 
 THE TWELFTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES 
 
 CALLED THE 
 
 PANATHENAICUS3 
 
 THE 
 
 O R, 
 
 PANEGYRIC of ATHENS. 
 
 
 R3 
 
[ 247 ] 
 
 .« 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 i 
 
 TTE begins with a commemoration of bis old 
 J^ age, of his manner of writing bis life, md 
 the calumnies of fophijis : then he fays, that the 
 Athenians deferved better of Greece than any 
 others. But tba he had touched upon this topic 
 before in the panegyric, yet he fays, that was not 
 fo proper an opportunity as this. He compares 
 the Athenians merits with thofe of the Lacedce- 
 tnonians, a?id gives the preference to the former. 
 In fine ^ he ufes every art to extol the Athenians^ 
 and concludes, after his frequent manner, in 
 pleading his old age and infirmity as an excufe ; 
 thd he evidently defires confiderate readers, and 
 fatirizes the folly andrafmefs of the dull and in- 
 attentive in pajjing their judgment of his compo- 
 fit ion. Methinks, I hear old Nefior f peaking in 
 this oration, whom Homer has rendered famous 
 for felf-praife, tho" founded on merit. 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 -•jj/' 
 
 THE TWELFTH 
 
 Oration of IsocRATEs: 
 
 CALLED THE 
 
 PANATHENAICUSj 
 
 O R, 
 
 PANEGYRIC of ATHENS. 
 
 WHEN Ijvas jounger, I did not chufe to write 
 fabulous orations, nor fucb as were full of pro- 
 digies and lies, which the vulgar generally more 
 delight in than fuch as are calculated for their good ; nor 
 cfid I chufe thofe which explain the antient tranfadlions of 
 the Grecians, tho' I knew that they were juftly praifed ; 
 nor fuch as are efteemed of a fimple nature, nor admit of 
 ornament ; which thofe do who are efteemed to excel in 
 the handling litigious fuits, if they thus would conquer their 
 adverfaries. But, omitting all topics of this nature, I em- 
 ployed myfelf in thofe difcourfes, which belonged to the 
 advantage of our city, might be the hint of good advice to 
 other Grecians, were filled with many enthymens, with an- 
 '^^^^thefes, and other rhetorical figures, which make eloquence 
 Ijjine, and the auditors to applaud, and be in tranfport. But 
 I meditate nothing of this now \ for I do not think it is pro- 
 per for ninety-four years, which I am of, nor any who have 
 
 — ' R ^ -~rH.-e^.. — grey 
 
24S The ORATIONS 
 
 grey hairs, to exprefs thcmftlves in that manner ; but in 
 fuch a one, as tho* all might hope for, or defire, yet none 
 could ealily attain, but by intenfely labouring, and employ- 
 ing their whole mind. I have fpoke thus in the preface, to 
 the intent, that if this oration, which is now to be recited, 
 Ihould appear of a gentler nature than thofe which have beea 
 pubhfiied before, none may compare it with their variety, 
 but would judge of it by its merit? in the prefent cafe ;" for 
 I will diicourfc of the aiStions performed by our city, and 
 of the virtue of our anceflors, not indeed beginning with 
 them, but from what has happened to myfelf. I think this 
 concerns me mofl j for tho' I endeavoured to live blame-^ 
 leG, and without offence to any one, Ihi.vepafied no part 
 of my life, without being attacked with calumnies by wicked 
 and obfcure fop^ills^ and, ^.s I cannot be known perfo- 
 nally by fome, am judged fuch as they have heard from 
 others : I therefore defign to fpeak of myfelf firft, and of 
 thole who are in fuch a olfprfition towards me, that> if I 
 can, I mvy retrain them from abufmg me, and inform 
 others in what ftudies they ought to employ thcmfelves : 
 for if I can perfectly explain myfelf on this fubjedl, I hope 
 I iLall pafb the remainder of my life without moleftation, and 
 thofe, who are pi efent, will be more attentive to the oiation 
 
 * 
 
 which is reciting. • , 
 
 • I WILL not be afhamed to exprefs clearly, neither my. 
 prefent perturbation, nor the abfurdity I am confcious of, 
 nor will I reafcn whetrier I am doing what becomes me. In 
 the iirft place, let me fay, I have obtained the greateft 
 goods, whi^h all would wifh thcmfelves to be poffefled of,, 
 health both of body and mind, not in an ordinary degree, 
 but fo as I might contend with thofe who have enjoyed thefe 
 qualities in the happieft degree. Secondly, that plenty of 
 neceifary things, that 1 never wanted what was moderate* 
 and a prudent man would xfefire. And, lattly, I have not 
 lived as a vulgar abje£l peffon, but fuch an one as the po- 
 liteft of the Greeks have made mention of, and ftiled the 
 b^ft of mankind. Tho' all thefe things happened to me, fome 
 
 oflSOCRATES. 249 
 
 in an extraordinary, and fome in a fuiHcient degree, yeX I 
 am not contented to live fo ; but my. old age i^ fo morofc 
 and querulous, that I have often found fault with my ge- . 
 nius (which yet no one has dcfpifed), and even ^pitied my^ 
 fortunes ; tho* I have nothing to find fault with on thls^ 
 head, but that I have pafTed my life in the ftudy of phikr^- 
 fophy, which has expofed me to certain calamities and. ca- 
 lumnies. I knew, I had a nature which was too infirm and 
 fpft for the tranfaction of burinefs, nor adequate toconfum-, 
 mate eloquence, nor proper for all things, but yet .capable 
 to conjecture of the truth of things, better than tliofe whOj 
 made profcflion of knowing it; tho', to confcfs ingenu^^ 
 oufly, I wai Ufuequal to fpeak of thefe things in public af- 
 femblies more than any man; for I am fo deftitute of both 
 thofe things, whicn have the greateli: power with us, a fufii- 
 ficient voice and boldnefs, that I queftion whether any of; 
 the citizens is more ; and thofe who have not thefe faculties, 
 i\xc more defpifed, and are call into an inferior rank, thai^ 
 thofe who are obnoxious to the public ; for the latter may- 
 pay their penalties, but the former can never f:hange their 
 natures. Yet I did not, for all this, out of a bafe and ab-: 
 jecl mind, fufFer myfelf to be entirely inglorious and obfcure ; 
 but feeing I am incapable of any public admlniftration, I 
 had recourfc to ftudy, induftry, and writing what [judged 
 proper ; not chufing flight fubjeds, fmall things, private 
 contracts, or fuch other things, as others trifle about, but 
 of the concerns of Greece, kings, and the republic; for 
 which., I thought, I ought the more to be honoured, than, 
 thofe who afcend our venal roftrum, as Icompofed orations 
 on greater and more beautiful fubjeds ; which yet has net 
 happened to me : and all know, that many orators dare not 
 to fpeak of fuch things as will benefit the commonwealth, 
 but of fuch as will be lucrative to thcmfelves ; but they 
 know, that both I and mine have not only more abllaincd 
 than others from the public goods, but have been at greater 
 expences for the public neceflities than our circumftances 
 admitted: befide?, they fee others in aflemblics reproaching 
 
 one 
 
u_, 
 
 / 
 
 L 
 
 250 The ORATIONS 
 
 Qn€ another about depofitums, troublefome to their friends^ 
 & calumniating fuch others as occur ; but me, to'have been 
 ih€ author of fuch orations, which exhort the Greeks both 
 u> concord ambngft one another, and to undertake an ex- 
 pedittdn againft the Barbarians, which counfel them to fend 
 cat common colonies to fuch a fpacious region, which^ 
 whoever have heard of, fay, that, if we become wife, and 
 ohiit our mutual rhadnefs, we fhall eafily feize on without 
 labours and d^gers, and that it will eaiily contain all, who 
 now want necelfaries amongft us. ) Now, did all aiTembled 
 together examine mto thofe things, they could never find 
 cut adljons more glorious, greater, or more conducive to our 
 intereft. But tho* we fo vary anflong ourfelves in opinions, 
 and I have fo far a nobler topic, yet the vulgar have nol 
 judged rightly, but in an inconfiderate, rafh manner, of my 
 intention ; for altho' they reproach the conduct, and repre- 
 hend the manners of other orators, they make them magi- 
 firates andmafters of themfclves; and while they praife my 
 orations, they envy me, for no other reafort^ but for the 
 very orations which they approve : fo unluckily am I cir- 
 cumftanced with them. But why {hould we wonder at 
 thofe, who have fuch a difpofition againft aJl excellency, 
 when fome of thofe, who think they excel and emulate me, 
 nay, defire to imitate me, are more my enemies than the 
 unlearned? Who can find bafer perfons than fuch? I 
 will fay it, tho' I may feem to fpeak with more haughti^ 
 ncfs and (harpnefs than fuits my age, that thofe men, tho* 
 they can teach their difciples nothing without the afTiftance 
 of what I have faid, and they ufe my orations as examples, 
 nay, live by them, they are fo far from gratitude to me, 
 that they not only neglect me, but are always fpeaking 
 ibme evil of me. While they ill-treated my orations, com- 
 paring them with their own ; while they read mine in as bad 
 a tone as poilible, not dividing them juftly, but tearing them 
 afunder, in fhort, everj^ way depraving them, I fet light 
 hy what was told me, and bore all patiently. But I was 
 fiJled with indignation on their account, a little while before 
 
 the 
 
 ^ 
 
 n 
 
 '\ 
 
 I 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 251 
 
 ^e great Athenian aflembly 5 for fome of niy friends meet- 
 ing me, told me, that three or four of the herd of fophifts, 
 i" Hows who pretend to know every thing, and fly fwiftly 
 from place to place, were fitting together in the Lyceum, 
 and difcourfing about the poets, and particularly Hefiod 
 and Homer, producing nothing of their own, but how- 
 ever repeating their verfes in a rhapfodical manner, mixed 
 with the moft elegant pafTages in other writers. Some in 
 tht company having approved of their difputation, one of 
 them, bolder than the others, began to revile me, faying, 
 I defpifed things of this nature ; that I overturned the in- 
 iftitutesand ftudiesof all, and that I declared all v\^ere deli- 
 rious, who did not follow my difcipline ; and when this had 
 been faid, fome became lefs friendly difpofed to me. I 
 cannot exprefs how much I grieved, and was difturbed, to 
 think, that any fhould believe I would fpeak in fuch a man- 
 ner ; for I thought it Was fo evident, that I always declared* 
 myfelf againft thofe who boaft of themfclves, and that I 
 always thought moderately and humbly of myfe lf, that no. 
 man could be thought worthy of^edit, who would fay, 
 that I ever ufed fuch arrogance. But I have not without 
 reafon complained of my unhappinefs, which has always^ 
 attended me from fuch men. This is the caufe of all the fal-' 
 fities fpread about me, of the calumnies and invidious lan- 
 guage, and that I cannot acquire the general efteem which I 
 deferve, nor that which is granted qie by all others, or which 
 fome of my friends allow me, who have feen mein all circum- 
 ftsnces. That thofe things fhould not have happened fo, is 
 now impofTible ; andtherjcisanecefTityof mybeingcontented. 
 While many topics of difcourfe occur to my mind, I 
 am doubtful whether I fhould retaliate upon thofe who have 
 been accuftomed to fpread falfe reports of me, and are bold 
 enough to affirm what I do not deferve. But if I fhould 
 ferioufly undertake this affair, and compofe an oration about 
 thofe men, whom no one ever thought worthy of mention, 
 I might juftly incur the blame of folly : therefore, fcorning 
 theni as envious wretches, I will endeavour to convince 
 
 others, 
 
 y 
 
WW It~ 
 
 y 
 
 252 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 r 
 
 y 
 
 otiicrs, that ih^iy neithcx^. juflly, or wcrtlulr, entertain fuch 
 a, notion of me. And who is there, who would not con- 
 dernn nic of imprudence, if I fhould imagine thofe men, 
 \yho never v/ere my enemies, but becaufe i have feemcd to. 
 write fome things .elegaiitly, after I have fpokcn in tl:e fame 
 inai>ner as before, wiij grieve lefs updn. account of my,ora- 
 tjcjn, but ratJicr morci cfpeci:dly fhould I appear, though.' 
 jjj^fuch an advanced age, net yet to be dcHrious ? Butygt 
 no .one fliall perfuade me to fct tliufc fo afiue, and nc^lcdt 
 them, CIS, to fiqilh directly the oration, whereby I defign to? 
 fhcw, tliat our city has been the caufe of more good to 
 [^(^recce than Laceda^mon. Should I do fo, nor conclude 
 what I havehegun, or, join the beginning of what I have 
 begun, with tlie end of what is to be faid, I fhould be 
 like thofe, who throw cut rafhly, • impor^uncly, and con- 
 
 ¥edly, whatever corner into their miii^s ir thin'^s which I 
 au^ht to avoid. . . • ,.., 
 
 0:1 J. ^^'^ ^^ .^^^ \^^?[ '^ ^ ^P^^^^ of 'what I propofed in the 
 begmning ; (oz ijhink , if I^roduce in wnting what idea I,, 
 
 ^t-^L^^HF^^^l^^'P^W they vvTn*cca(e"toTn\'en^ 
 falfe crime^, and fj 3," \vhafevxr comcslnto their heads "TDut..^ 
 a- .,.. lame time, I ^dmonilirtF61e;'wK6 are af^ealonate to 
 fuchrHud^es, not to be concerned, noi be too flricily atten- . 
 tive to iill that I fl-iall fay, while I allow, that if fuch learn- ' 
 ing is goQd for nothing ejfe, at leaff, it averts young pepplc, 
 fiom. maiiy trefpalles. I therefore judge, there ne'ver was ■ 
 found out, for fuch, more ufeful or becoming exercif^s. 
 But 1 do not fay, that the fc.me lludics begome the more ad- . 
 vanced in years, and are eftecmed perfect n^.n i for I fee* 
 fome of thofe, who fo accurately underflanu tlu le arts, that 
 t\ty, teach others, not ufmg prudently their Icience, but 
 more ignorant in the concerns of life tiian their fcholars, 
 I am afraid of faying, than their Have... J have -the fame 
 opinion of [ opular orators, and thofe who are famous 
 for the compofition of fucn orations ; and, in a word 
 o'f all who are diftinguifhed by faculties (as they are called) 
 an J fci^nces j for I know moll of thcfe nei;hcr condu^Sc their 
 
 private 
 
 f\ 
 
 >»' 
 
 1 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. ^53 
 
 private affairs well, nor are tolerable in their converfation, 
 make little account of the efl.em of their fellow- citizens, 
 and are guilty of many and great tranfgreflions. Where- 
 fore I do not judge them polTeiTed of that habit I defign to 
 fpcak of. Whom then do \ jn^^Jc^ymnj^ fmce I repre- 
 hend arts, "TcTences, and faculties ? Firfl, thofe Ivlibrmake 
 a right ufc of daily occurrences, that have a judgment pro- 
 per to feize opportunities, and capable, for the mofl part, 
 of hitting the mark of utility ; next, fach as always behave 
 themfelves in a becoming and jufl manner with thofe they 
 converfe with, and bear others fpleeii and morofenefs with 
 eafe and 2ood-naturc, and render themfelves as much as 
 pofJible more agreeable and moderate in refpetSi: of all their 
 friends. Befides, thofe who are always maflers of their 
 pleafures, are not much deprcfled by adverfity, but behave 
 themfelves like men, and worthy of that nature we partake 
 of. Fourthly, which is the chief, thofe who are not cor- 
 rupted v^ith profpcrity, nor forget themfelves, or become 
 proud, but keep the pofl of prudence, nor tiike greater 
 pleafure in the goods which flow in from for'tune, than thofe 
 which were acquired in the beginning by their own good 
 conduit and ingenuity. But thofe, who have not minds 
 capable of one o\' thefe qualities, but of ,alj, I affirm, they 
 are wife and perfect men, and pofTefs all virtues. This is 
 my opinion of the learned. 
 
 I SHALL now cxprefs my fentiments of the poetry o^ 
 Homer, and others ; for I judge I fliall thereby caufe thofe 
 to be filent, who chaunt their V2rfes in the Lyceum, and 
 trifle about them. But I perceive I am carried away beyond 
 the bounds which arc prefcribed to preambles ; for it be* 
 comes a prudent man, not to love fuch a diffufu e eloquence, 
 whereby he may fpeak upon the fame topics more than 
 others, but obfervc moderation in all he reafons about ; 
 which is alfo my duty. I iiiall. therefore fpeak another 
 time of the poets, unlefs old age firfl takes me out of the 
 world ; for more noble fubje£ls prefent themfelves to me, 
 than fuch would be. I will therefore make my difcourfe of 
 
 thofe 
 
/ 
 
 it^4 The 5 R A t I O N g 
 
 thQfe benefits which have been conferred by our city upcM 
 :i}} Greece ; not becauTel havejnot written more^^aiiegy- 
 Ics iipon TTThan all who profefs poetry or eloquence^but 
 that i 3o h6t*deri2:n to fpcak in the fame manner as before: 
 for then I made mention of it^ whenHT treated of other 
 things : now, I have made it riiy fubjecft; I am not igno- 
 rant what an arduous hypothefis I chufe in my old age | 
 but perfeftly knowing, and having often declared, that it is 
 caiy to give a grandeur to fmall things by eloquence, I will 
 lay, it is a difficult talk to equal elogium with what is noble 
 and fublime. Yet we are not to defift foi* this, but finifh 
 what we have begun, if nature grants longer life, cfpecially 
 pfijjce^any motives inducejne to make this oration. Firfl^ 
 fuch men aTaTTWont impudently tMccuTTouFaty; then^ 
 thofe who praife it elegantly, but without judgment, and left 
 /. than it deferves; and, befides, thofe who dare to praife it 
 more boldly than others^ but not fo well as to prevent the: 
 : objections of many : and, finally j my greateft motive is my 
 ' -age, which ufually difcourages others ; for I hope^ if I fuc- 
 ceedjjojflcreaie my reputation ; but if I fpeak beneath my- 
 felf, I fhall have a ready pardon from the hearers; What I 
 therefore defigned to preface concerning myfelf and others^ 
 as thofe who prelude in mufic before a concert^ I have now 
 £nifhed. 
 
 Now I judge^ that thofe who would accurately ahdjufHy 
 praife any city, fhould not only make that alone their topic^ 
 which they deiign to fpeak of; but as we examine and try 
 purple and gold, by fhewing near them natures of the famef 
 fpecies and value ; I judge, I fay, that, frnaU cities flioulj_ 
 not be compared with great, nor thofe which have been ac- 
 cuftomed in all times to govern, with thofe who were ac- 
 cuftomed toXerYea nor thofe cities which are capable of pre- 
 lerving others, with fuch as need prote61ion : but I judge^ 
 e" cities ihouHl)e compared together, vvhich are po/Tefled 
 of a like power, have been converfant in the fame affairs, 
 . ;rnd are of equal authority ; for thus will they moft eafily 
 come at the truth* Now, if any one confidcr us in this 
 
 > light. 
 
 
 "-^ 
 
 ''S^ 
 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 255 
 
 tight, and not compare us with any city, but with that of 
 Sparta, which many praife moderately, but fome fpeak of, 
 as if demi-gods governed that republic, we fhall be found to 
 have left them farther behind in beneficence towards Greece, 
 than they have left all others ; and I fhall mention hereaf- 
 ter our antient conflids for the good of Greece. Now, I 
 fhall make my difcourfe of them, beginning from the time 
 when they feizcd upon the Achaic cities, and divided the 
 country with the Argives and Meflenians ; for from hence 
 we ought to difcourfe about them. Our anceftors will be per-* 
 ceived to have preferved, from the Trojan times, the con- 
 cord of the Grecians, and enmity with the Barbarians, and 
 and to have perfevered in the fame affections. And, firil- 
 of all, in refped of the iflands Cyclades, concerning which 
 many difputes arofe under the government of Minos, whea 
 they laltly were poffeffed by the Carians ; after they drove the 
 Carians out, they did not make them their own provinces, 
 but they placed in them a colony of the moil indigent Gre- 
 cians : afterwards they built many and great cities on both 
 fides of the continent, drove the Barbarians from the iea» 
 and taught the Grecians by what method of government, 
 and by carrying on war againft whom in particular, they 
 might enlarge and aggrandize Greece. But the Lacedaemo-* 
 nians were fo far, in that time, from doing any thing of this 
 nature, as our anceftors (who commenced war againft the 
 Barbarians, and benefited the Grecians) that they would dot 
 even remain quiet ; but having a city belonging to ethers^ 
 and not only a fufficient territory, but (o large as none of 
 the other Grecian cities had, they were not content with 
 this ; but learning by events, that cities indeed, and coun- 
 tries, according to laws, appear their right,whojuftly poffefs 
 them, but, in facl, become theirs who moft fkilfully cxer- 
 -cife military art, and can conquer their enemies in battle: 
 I fay, refleiSling on this, and negle£ling agriculture, trades, 
 and all other things, they never ceafed to attack and difturb, . , 
 one by one, all the cities of Peloponnefus, except that o[ . fft)^ 
 Argos. Now, it happened from what we did, that Greece . ^^^ 
 
 was 
 
 
^^ U-JU-J^ w 
 
 
 ^A..*. 
 
 ' ^^»-4A 
 
 256 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 u-as enlarged, and Europe became maflcr cf Afia; bcfides, 
 that the neceflitous Greeks received cities and lands, but 
 that the Barbarians who before commenced infuhs, were 
 cFrfven out of the countr)', and became of more fubmi/nre 
 minds than they had been : but from what the Spartans did, 
 it happened, that their city alone was aggrandized, and 
 made famous, and governed all the cities in Pclopon- 
 ncfus, and had great refped fhcwed it from them. It is 
 certainly jufl to praife that city, which was the caufe of 
 many goods to others, and to judge that unjuf}, which only 
 procured itfelf advantages ; to elkem thofe friends, who 
 treat others on the fame footing as themfelves, but to fear 
 and apprehend thofe who aie of the moft friendly mind 
 amongll themfelves, yet adminifkr their government with a 
 vifible hoftile intention towards others : fuch, thereforcj was 
 tile fuundationof the government in both cities. 
 
 Afterward^;, upon the commencement of the Perfiaft 
 
 ?war, when Xerxes, who then rcio-ned, had eot together 
 twelve hundred fliips, five million fQpt, feven hundred thou- 
 i fand of whom were regular troops, and entered Greece 
 with fuch a vail army, the Sparcans, tho' they governed all 
 Pclcponnefub, fent only ten fliips to the naval battle, which 
 gave a turn to the whole war ; but our fathers, tho' they 
 were forced from their country, and had abandoned the city, 
 becaufe it was not at that time fortified, afford-, d better fliips, 
 and better provided with forces, than all together who ran 
 that danger. And theLacfda-monians fcnt, as their admiral, 
 Xurybiades, v/ho, could he haveeffedcd what he dcfioried, 
 mult have ruined all Greece ; but ours fent Thcmiflocles, 
 "Who was thought indifputably to be the caufe that the 
 naval engagement was wifely condudled, a^ well as author, 
 befides, of all thac was profperouHy a«5lcd in that time ; for 
 when they, who had been allies, had wreftcd the fovcrcignty 
 from the Lacedaemonians, they conferred it on us. And 
 what better judges can any one imagine, or more worthy 
 ©f credit, of the tranfaclions of thole times, than thofe who 
 verc prcfent in the battles ? or, what benefit can be fup- 
 
 pofcd 
 
 
 
 ^bf I S O C R A T E S> 
 
 ^57 
 
 pofed greater than the prefervation of all Greece from de- 
 ilrudlion ? 
 
 It happened afterwards, that each became fovereigri of 
 the fea ; which whofoever holds, mufthave the greatefl num- 
 ber of cities in fubjedion. Not that I praife in this regard 
 either city j for one may blame both in many refpe£l:s. But 
 we have not lefs excelled them in this adminirtration, than 
 in what I have mentioned before ; for our fathers perfuaded 
 their allies to conftitute fuch a form of government, as they 
 themfelves had always preferred; Now, it is certainly a 
 fign of benevolence and kindnefsjwhen perfons exhort others 
 to ufe thofe inftitutes, which they have found profitable to 
 themfelves. But the Lacedaemonians conftituted republics, 
 which were neither fimilar to their own, nor like thofe con- 
 ftituted elfewhere^ but only made ten men of each city its 
 lords ; whom fhould a perfon endeavour, for three or four 
 fucceilive days, to accufe continually, he would not be able 
 to exprefs a part of their crimes and oppreffions. It would 
 be abfurd to comment particularly upon fuch and. fo nume- 
 rous inftances : but, perhaps, I fhould have refleded on a 
 few, which would have excited a worthy anger in the 
 hearers, if I had been younger. But I have now no fuch 
 intention j however, it is confefTed by all, that they fo far 
 exceeded all who went before them, in rapacity and injuf- 
 tice, that they not only fuined themfelves, their friends, and 
 their countries, but likewife, by expofing the Lacedaemo- 
 nians to the odium of their allies, plunged them too into 
 fo many and great calamities, as no one would have ever 
 imagined could have befallen them. From hence any one 
 may fee, j^li, how much more mildnefs arid clemency vve 
 managed affairs, and iikeWife^ from what follows : for the 
 ^Spartans fcarce\gpverned ten years ; btft w*e held t^e fupre- 
 macy fixty-five years. Certainly atl know^ that cities^ fub-^-> 
 jecS to others, continue lon^ft faithftil to thofe from whom 
 they fuffer the leaft evils : but both, upon account of in- 
 juries becoming odious, fell into wars arid tumults; yet we 
 fhidl find our city was capable of making refiilancc teit 
 
 S years. 
 
 '--t,* 
 
 -r 
 
 ^»ji^ 
 
4v 
 
 258 The ORATIONS 
 
 years, though attacked by all the Greeks and Barbarians • 
 whereas the Lacedaemonians tho' they ftill governed, and 
 made war by land againft the Thebans only, being con- 
 quered in one battle, were ftripped of all they poflefTed, and 
 were afflicted with the fame misfortunes and calamities as 
 we. Befides, we (hall find our city to have reftored itfelf 
 in fewer vears than it was overthrown in ; but that the Spar- 
 tans, after this lofs, in a very long time, have not been able 
 to recover themfelves to their former footing, but are ftill 
 in the fame low condition. Now, I ought to explain, how 
 we both have behaved againft the Barbarians 5 for this re- 
 mains. Under our government, it was not permitted them 
 to come with their foot-forces within the river Halys, or 
 fail in long (hips to the coalts within Phafelis. But, un- 
 der that of the Lacedaemonians, they not only gained the 
 power of going and failing wherever they pleafed, but 
 became matters of many of the Grecian cities. Where- 
 fore, that city, which, with more bravery and courage, 
 made a treaty v/ith the Perfians, and was the caufe of the 
 moft and greateft calamities to the Barbarians, but of be- 
 nefits to the Grecians -, which, befides, took all the ma- 
 ritime coaft of Afia, and many other provinces from the 
 enemies, and gave them to its allies, hindering the former 
 from committing injuries, and freeing the latter from indi- 
 gence; and which has more magnanimoufly fought for it- 
 fblf, than that very city which is celebrated for fuch actions, 
 and repelled its own calamities fooner than thofe perfons j 
 who is there that will not think it juft to praife and 
 honour this city, more than that which it has furpafled 
 in all thefe regards? Concerning the adlions of both, 
 and the dangers undergone together againft the fame 
 tnemies, this is what occurred to me to fay at pre- 
 
 fent. 
 
 Now, I think thofe who have heard with difguft what 
 I have faid, will not contradicl any thing as if it was 
 untrue ; nor produce any other adions, iJy the performance 
 of which the Lacedaemonians became authors of much 
 
 
 ■•3^1 
 
 ,' ' * 
 
 
 
 
 ■ t.H. 
 
 > 
 
 good 
 
 -'» 
 
 ■■»». 
 
 IS 
 
 .**V 
 
 . 4> 
 ■I - 
 
 I 
 
 of ISOCRATES. '259 
 
 good to Greece. But fuch endeavour to accufe our city, 
 according to their cuftom, and repeat the harfheft ads of 
 power, which happened during our fovereignty of the feas : 
 they will blame the accufations and judgments, which hap- 
 pened here to the allies, as well as the exactions of tributes* 
 and will particularly dwell on the calamities of theMelii,and 
 the Scionaeans, thinking, by thefe afperfions, they can give a 
 blot to thofe benefits rifen from our city, which I juft now 
 mentioned. To whatever may be juftly charged againft 
 our city, I neither can anfwer, nor would I attempt it; for 
 Tmould blufh, if, when others have thought, that not even 
 the gods are free from faults, I ftiould endeavour to perfuade 
 mankind, that our republic never offended in any thing. 
 But I believe I can effedl this, that I can both prove, that 
 Sparta, in refpe6l of what was mentioned, has done things 
 of a much more cruel and barbarous nature, and that they, 
 who abufe us on this account, are fuperlatively foolifti, and 
 the very caufe why their friends are reproached by us : 
 for fince they accufe us of thofe crimes which the Lacedser*' 
 monians have been more guilty of, we are not deprived of 
 an occafion of retorting upon them, and that too in a feverer 
 manner. For example, fhould they here make mention of 
 thejudgmentspafiTed upon allies, who is fo ftupid, but that 
 he can find out a ready anfwer, viz. that the Lacedaemo- 
 nians have put to death more Grecians, without giving 
 them a fair hearing, than, ever fince this city was built, have 
 been called ty us before the tribunal ? The fame, fhould 
 tliey^rtiake the like objecSllons, we have to anfwer about the 
 exaction of tributes ; for we fhall fliew, that we benefited, 
 in a far greater manner, thofe cities who paid us tributes, 
 than Hid^he" Lacedaemonians. Iii the firft place, they did 
 not do this by our command, but by their own decree, 
 when they conferred the fovereignty of the feas upon us» 
 Again, they paid not thofe tributes on account of our 
 fafety, but for their own republican government and liberty, 
 and left they ftiould fall agair^ into as great calamities as 
 they had fuffiered under the decemviri and the Lacedaemo- 
 
 S 2 . nian 
 
 i 
 
 / 
 
 \ 
 
 tit 
 
26o The ORATIONS 
 
 nian power. Befides, they conferred nothing of what they 
 had faved themfelves, but what they had preferved by our 
 afiiftance : for which, had they the leaft reafon in them, 
 they would have repaid us with gratitude ; for when wc 
 had recovered their cities, fome of them razed by the Bar- 
 barians, and others of them laid wafte, we fo reftored them, 
 that, havine Jiiven to us a little of their fubftance, they had 
 no worfe habitations than the Peloponnefians, who paid no 
 tributes. In refped of thofe who were deftroyed under 
 both our governments (which fome object to us alone), 
 we will ihew, that thofe, whom thcfc men never ceafe to 
 praifc, perpetrated far greater cruelties. It happened, that 
 we injured fuch, and fo fmall iflands, as many of the Greeks 
 know nothing of : they, after having overthrown the greateft 
 cities of Pcloponnefus, which far excelled amongft all the 
 Grecian ; I fay, after they had erafed them, poiTefs their 
 goods : which cities, tho' no benefit had before been con- 
 ferred by them on Greece, were dcferving of the higheil 
 favours from the Greeks, for undertaking the expedition 
 againfl 'IVoy ; in which they were the chief, and furnifh- 
 eJ leaders, not only poflefied of fuch qualities, of which 
 ordinary and vulgar men are incapable, but of fuch as 
 none but the good and bra-, e can attain. Meflena fent out 
 Neftor, who was the prudenteft of all who lived in that age. 
 Lacedaemon fent Menelaus, who alone, for his temperance 
 and moderation, deferved to be made and called the fon- 
 in-law of Jupiter. The city of Argos fent them Aga- 
 memnon, who was not ornamented with one or two vir- 
 tues, but with all that any one can mention : nor fo, in a< 
 moderate, but high degree ; for we (hall find no one of all, 
 who undertook things which were more proper, more glo- 
 rious, more noble, more beneficial to the Greeks, or wor- 
 thy of greater praife. And, perhaps, while I haftily enume- 
 rate thefe things, many may not give their afient to them : 
 but, after I have fpoken briefly of each, all will acknowledge 
 
 I have faid nothing but truth. 
 
 But 
 
 
 
 fSi-.v 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 261 
 
 . But I cannot well conceive, but am at a lofs,what words 
 I {hall moft properly ufe; fori am afliamed, after I have faid 
 fo much of Agamemnon's virtues, I fhould fay nothing of 
 his adlions ; but (hould appear to the hearers, like thofe 
 who boaft of themfelves, and deafen company with what 
 comes uppermoft in their minds ; for I perceive, that thofe 
 a6lions, which are mentioned foreign to the fubjecSl:, are not 
 praifed, but feem of a confufed nature, and that there are 
 many who ufe them unfeafonably, and more who repre- 
 hend them. Wherefore I am afraid left the fame fhould 
 happen to me. But I think I ought to aflift him, who 
 has fuffered what I and many others have, in being de- 
 prived of that full glory which he deferved ; he who was 
 the author of the greateft happinefs in thofe times, but is 
 now praifed lefs than thofe who have done nothing memo- 
 rable. For what was wanting to him ? Who acquired fuch 
 honour, greater than which, fhould all feek after it, they 
 could never find it ? for he alone was judged worthy of be- 
 ing the general of Greece. Whether he was chofen, or 
 acquired this by power, I cannot aver. By whichfoever 
 means this happened, he left nothing whereby they could 
 exceed his glory, who have in any other way been ho- 
 noured : for having attained this power, he injured none 
 of the cities of Greece ; but was fo far from this, that he 
 freed fome from thofe wars, tumults, and troubles, in which 
 they were involved, and, uniting all, he fcorned extrava- 
 gant and romantic adions, and fuch as no ways benefit 
 others ; and, coUeding an army, led it againft the Barba- 
 rians. No one ever undertook a more glorious or ufeful 
 expedition for the Greeks, either of thofe who were famous 
 in thofe times, or were born afterwards : which he having 
 done, and fet the example of to others, has not been fo praifed 
 as he deferved, by the means of thofe who more love prodi- 
 gies than beneficent anions, ^nd lies than truth. And yet 
 great as he was, he hath now lefs glory than thofe who never 
 had the courage to imitate him. Nor need I only praife 
 bim for thefe things, but for thofe which he did about the 
 
 1 
 
 d 
 
 f K4'^-^<-^^ C 
 
 S3 
 
 fame 
 
 !* 
 
262 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 fame time ; for he fo excelled in magnanimity, that it did 
 not fuffice him to ralfe foldiers of a private condition, in 
 number as many as he pleafed, out of each city j but he 
 perfuaded thofe very kings, who are u^ont, in their own ci- 
 ties, to do and command what they pleafe, to be fubjed to 
 him, follow him againft whomfoever he would lead them, 
 obey his commands, pafs their lives, tho' kings, in a military 
 manner, beiides, face dangers, and carry on wars, not for 
 their own countries and kingdoms, but, in word, for Helen 
 the wife of Alenelaus ; yet, in fadl, that Grecians ihould 
 not fufter the fame, or the like, from the Barbarians, as 
 when Pelops feized Peloponnefus, Danaus Argos, and 
 Cadmus Thebes. Of which who can be found to have ha<i 
 a forefight, and to have oppofed himfelf, that nothing of 
 this nature might hap^ en ? None but he who was endowed 
 with fuch knovvledge and power. What now follows, is 
 indeed of an inferior nature to what has been faid, but far 
 more noble and worthy of memory than what is often 
 praifed. When fuch forces were got together from all the 
 cities, and fo numerous, as may be fuppofed by fuch lead- 
 ers, as were pardy of the family of the gods, partly be- 
 gotten by, or born of them, not affected as the vulgar are 
 nor thinKing in their train, but replete with wrath, vio- 
 lence, envy, and ambition ; he yet retained all thefe toge- 
 ther for ten years, not by large pay or expences in mon^y^ 
 by which all are now powerful, but by excelling in prudence, 
 by fupplying the foldiers with provifions from the enemy's 
 country, and by appearing to confult more wifely the 
 fafety of others, than others do their own. Now, we may, 
 with equal juftice, admire the end he put to all thefe ac- 
 tions : for he will be found not to have put a difhonourable 
 one, and unworthy of what has been faid before ; but tho' 
 in declaration he had only made war againft one city, yet, - 
 in fad, he made it not only againft all thofe who inhabited 
 Afia, but againft many other barbarous nations. He was 
 wearied out by no dangers; nor did he depart, till he had 
 reduced to flavery that city which had dared to offend, 
 
 and 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S; 263 
 
 and till he had reftrained the Baibarians from committing 
 
 infuks*, 
 
 I AM not ignorant of the variety of thofe things faid of 
 Agamemnon's virtues ; nor, though they be fo many, will 
 any, if they confider them fmgly, difapprove of any thing, 
 or dare to detrad any thing; but, had they been explained 
 in order, all would blame me, as having fpoken more than 
 was convenient. Had I been ignorant I ftiould exceed mo- 
 deration, I ftiould blufh, if, having attempted to write a- 
 bout thefe things which no one elfe dared, I were fo ftupid. 
 Now, I knew far better than thofe who have dared to re- 
 prehend me, that many would find fault with fuch a me- 
 thod : but I thought it would be lefs offenfive, if I feem, in 
 this part, to fome to negle£l the order of time, than if, 
 while I fpoke of fo great a man, I omitted any of thofe ex- 
 cellencies which belonged to him, and it was proper I 
 ftiould mention : yet I judged, that, amongft the politeft 
 hearers, I ftiould be efteemed, if, while I make the eloglum 
 of virtue, I more laboured about fpeaking worthily of it, 
 than about the exa£l meafure of my difcourfe. I knew this 
 well, that, by negleding the juft meafure of time, I ftiould 
 render myfelf lefs admired ; yet that prudent advice about 
 adlions would profit thofe who are praifed : I therefore, ne- 
 gledling my intereft, preferred what was juft ; nor ftiall I be 
 found only in what has been now faid of this mind, but 
 abfolutely in all things : for I ftiall appear always to have 
 taken more pleafure in thofe difciples of mine, who verc 
 famous for their lives and adions, than in thofe who had 
 a genius for eloquence; for, indeed, contributing what T 
 did, all would afcribe to me their eloquence; but, in regard^ 
 of their good anions, tho' all knew I had been the coun- 
 fellor, there is none but would praife the perfon who put 
 fuch things in pra£lice. ''^■ 
 
 I SCARCE know whither I am hurried in my difcourfe ; 
 for though I ought to fubjoin the confequence of what had 
 been faid, yet I have wandered far from my fubjea. No- 
 thing remains, but that, defiring pardon for my old age, for 
 
 S 4 ^1 
 
 ^ 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 * i: 
 
 264 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 my forgetfulnefs and loquacity, which faults are incident to 
 men of mv years, Ifhould return to that fubje6l from whence 
 I wandered into this garrulity ; I fay, I ought to confider 
 from whence I digrefled : for I anfwered thofe, who object 
 to us the calamities of the Mclii, and fuch fmall towns; 
 not that thefe adlions were juft, but that I might (hew 
 them, how thofe, who are loved by them, have deftroyed 
 greater and more cities than we ; amidft which, I difcourfed 
 of the fovereignty of Agamemnon, Menelaus, andNeftor; 
 not advancing faliities, but fpeaking, perhaps, beyond mo- 
 deration. This I did to fhew, that thofe mens crime was 
 no lefs who dared to overthrow thofe cities, which had 
 produced and educated thofe men, of whom even now one 
 may compofe celebrated harangues. But, perhaps, it is 
 foolifh to dwell upon one fad, as if there could be wanting 
 words to exprefs the cruelty and barbarity of the Lacedae. 
 monians; and that there was not a variety of inftances to 
 mention on this topic : whom it did not fuffice to have tref- 
 pafled againft thefe cities, and thefe men, but they would 
 injure thofe who were born in the fame place, who warred 
 in alliance with them, and underwent the fame dangers; I 
 mean, the Arrives and Mcffenians : for they endeavoured 
 to affli£l them with the fame calamities as the others ; and 
 indeed they defiftcd not to attack the Meflenians, till they 
 drove them out of the country; but the Argives, upon this 
 account, are now in war. Now, I fhould be ridiculous, 
 if, having mentioned what they have done againft others, I 
 fhould not mention what they have a£led againft the Platae- 
 'ans ; who having pitched their tents with us, and other al- 
 hes, in their territory, and we having drawn up our battle, 
 and facrificed to the gods confecrated by them, we not only 
 freed the Greeks, who were with us, but even thofe who 
 were forced to be on their fide. And we effected this, 
 when we had the Plataeans alone our afliftants, of all the 
 Boeotians ; and not long after, the Lacedaemonians, to 
 gratify the Thebans, after taking their city, flew them all, 
 jgxcepting fuch as could fly away. Certainly, our city did 
 
 not 
 
 li 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 265 
 
 tiot refemble the Lacedaemonians in regard of this. They 
 dared to do fuch things againft the public benefadlors of 
 Greece, and their own relations ; but our countrymen 
 placed thofe Meflenians, who were faved at Naupadlum, 
 and made thofe Plataeans, who came to them, citizens, and 
 partakers of all they poflefled themfelves. Wherefore, had 
 we no more to fay of theie cities, yet, methinks, the man- 
 ners of both would be clear, and which of us had ruined 
 more and greater cities. 
 
 IpERCEivElam fallen into an afFe£lion different from 
 what I had in mentioning fome things a little while ago; 
 for I then lapfed into ignorance and forgetfulnefs. Now, 
 I am fenfible I preferve not that lenity of difcourfe, which I 
 obferved in the beginning ; but that I endeavour to explain 
 myfelf on thofe heads, which I ftiould not mention ; that I 
 become bolder than fits my nature, and am not capable of 
 containing myfelf in fome things, on account of the va- 
 riety of the fubjedls which prefent themfelves to me to be 
 fpoken of. Since then a fpirit of freedom has feized me, 
 and I have opened my mouth with liberty, and have laid 
 fuch a foundation, and it is neither becoming nor poflible to 
 pafs over fuch adiions, by which it may be demonftrated, 
 that our city has deferved better of the Greeks than the La- 
 cedaemonians, I muft not pafs by thofe other evil anions, 
 which have not hitherto been fpoken of, though they were 
 perpetrated amidft the Greeks : but I ftiall (hew, that our 
 countrymen learned late fuch pradlices, and that the Lace- 
 daemonians were guilty of fome the firft, and committed 
 others only. Very many accufe both cities, thaty-^^soief- 
 fmg to fight againft the Barbarians for Greece, they did not 
 permit the cities . > live bv their own laws, and admlnifter 
 their aff*airs, as was convenient for them; but dividing 
 them, as if having taken them all by war, they oppreflTed 
 them all with fervitude, and adled like thofe, who fet other 
 mens flaves at liberty, to make them ferve themfelves. We 
 were not the caufe that thefe and many ftiarper things were 
 faid, but thofe who now oppofe U3 in what is faid, and, in 
 
 former 
 
266 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 former times, derogated from all our actions. But HO one 
 Caa prove^ that our anceftors, during infinite fpaces of 
 time, ever attempted to fubject either a greater or lefscity ; 
 but alf know, that, fmce the Lacedaemonians came into 
 Peloponnefus, they do nothing, nor defign any thing elfe, 
 than to govern as much as poffible allj or, at leaft, if this 
 cannot be effected, govern the Peloponnefians. Befides, all 
 know, that they have been the authors of feditions, maf- 
 facres, and changes of commonwealths, with which cala- 
 mities and difordcrs they filled all cities excepting a few : 
 but no one would dare to fay, that, before the calamity at 
 the Hellefpont, our city ever committed a crime againft 
 their allies. After the Lacedaemonians became lords of 
 Greece, they again loft the lead in power. In thofe times, 
 the other cities being feditious, two or three of our gene- 
 rals (I will not conceal the truth) trefpalled againft fome of 
 them i hoping, did they imitate the Spartans a£lions, they 
 ihould more eafily contain them within the bounds of duty. 
 Wherefore, all of us may juftly accufe them, as being the 
 leaders and authors of fuch works, and allow pardon to our 
 countrymen, as fcholars deceived by promifes, and falling 
 fhort of their hopes. Now, who is ignorant of what the/ 
 did alone ? for tho' our enmity to the Barbarians and their 
 kings was common, yet we were in many battles alone, fufy 
 tained fometimes great lofi'es, our lands every now and then 
 wafted, and yet we never regarded their friendftiip and alli- 
 ance ; but, for their ill defigns againft the Greeks, we conti- 
 nued to hate them more than thofe who now endeavour to 
 diftrcfs us. But the Lacedaemonians, tho' they had not fuf- 
 fered, or were likely to fuftcr any hurt, or were in any fear, 
 came to that pitch of infatiable avarice, that it fufficed them 
 not to have the land-government, but they would have the 
 dominion at fea j fo tliat, at the fame time, they puflied on 
 our allies to a revolt, promiung to make them free, and ne- 
 gotiated friendftiip and alliance with the king; affirming, 
 that they would deliver to him all the inhabitants of Afia. 
 When they had mutually pledged their faith on thefe terms, 
 
 and 
 
 iJgJaa.* 
 
 i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 267 
 
 and conquered us, they reduced thofe whom they promifed 
 to enfranchize, to a worfe ftate of fervitude than their own 
 ilaves ; and they requited the king with this gratitude, that 
 they perfuaded his younger brother Cyrus to difpute with 
 him for the kingdom ; and gathering an army, and making 
 Clearchus general, fent them againft him. But being de- 
 ceived of their hopes in this, and having ftiewed to all what 
 they aimed at, they were hated of all, and fell into fuch 
 tvars and tumults, as it was neceflary thofe muft, who had 
 trerpafted both againft the Greeks and Barbarians. Now, 
 I know not why I ftiould fay any more about them, but only 
 this, that, being conquered in a fea-fight by the forces of 
 the king, and dexterity of Conon, they made that peace, 
 than which none can ftiew me a more bafe, more difgraceful, 
 or regardlefs of the intcrefts of Greece, or more contrary 
 to what is faid by fome of the valour of the Lacedaemoni- ^ 
 ans ; who, tho' the king had made them lords of Greece, 
 endeavoured to deprive him of his kingdom, and all his for- 
 tunes ; but after he had conquered in a fea-fight, and hum- 
 bled them, did not furrender to him a fmall part, but, men- 
 tioning exprefsly in writing, all who inhabited Afia, and fur- 
 rendering them to be ufed at his difcretion : nor did they 
 blufh to make fuch a treaty about thofe very men, by whofe 
 alliance they had defeated us,were become mafters of Greece, 
 and hoped to feize upon all Afia. Such a treaty as this did 
 they fix in their temples, and force their allies to do fof 
 
 And tho' I judge others will not much defire to hear the 
 remaining things, I believe that all think, they have been 
 fufficiently informed of what a difpofition each city has 
 been towards the Greeks. I am not of the fame opinion, 
 but think the hypothefis, which I have chofen, requires 
 many more words ; efpecially fuch as will demonftrate the 
 madnefs of thofe men, who have attempted to oppofe what 
 has been faid ; whofe confutation I fliall eafily find ; for, 
 amongft thofe who approve the Lacedaemonians actions, I 
 judge the beft and prudenteft of them will praife indeed the 
 Spartan republic, and continue to be of the fame opinion 
 
 about 
 
268 The O R A T I ON S 
 
 about It as before ; but will afTent to me concerning tbofe 
 things, which they have done againft the Greeks ; but as 
 for fuch, who, not only inferior to thofe, but the vulgar, can 
 Ipcak tolerably of no fubjecl, and yet cannot be filent about 
 the Lacedaemonians, hoping, that, if they make exaggerated 
 dogtums of them, they fhall acquire the fame glory as 
 thofe who are far fuperior and more excellent than they : 
 when fuch fee, that all arguments have been handled, and 
 they have not what to anfwer to one of them, they wil] 
 turn themfelvcs, I judge, to a difl'ertation about what the 
 republic is, and, comparing their inftitutes with ours, their 
 obedience and temperance with the negligence which pre- 
 raiis amongft us, they, on this account, will extol Sparta ; 
 which, if they do, prudent men fhould think they trifle : 
 for my purpofe was not to difpute about the forms of re- 
 publics, but to fhew, that our city has defcrved better of 
 Greece than that of the Lacedaemonians. Now, if they 
 refute fome of thefe thing?, or can fay that others were 
 common, in which they had the fuperiority, tliey will de- 
 ier\'e juft praife : but fhould they fpeak of what I have made 
 no mention, they will deferve to be looked on as fools by 
 all; yet fmce I judge, thev will produce the arguments for 
 the forms of the two republics, I fhall have no diificulty to 
 handle that topic. 
 
 Let no one, tho', Imagine, that I have faid this of that 
 form of a republic, which we have by force received for tho 
 old one, but of that of our anceftors, which our citizens 
 not contemning, haftily feized on this ; and tho' they judged 
 the other far more excellent in other things, yet thought 
 this more ?,dapted to the fovereignty at fea; by the attain- 
 ment of which power and wife adminlftration, they might 
 revenge the treachery of the Spartans, and conquer all the 
 ftrength of the Lacedaemonians, which at that time particu- 
 larly prefTed our city : wherefore no one can juftly accufe 
 thofe who chofe it ; for they were not fruftrated of their 
 hopes, nor were they ignorant of the bad or good, which 
 was in either power) but they fufficiently knew, that a 
 
 land- 
 
 II 
 
 \-l\ 
 
 . of I S O C R A T E S. 269 
 
 land-power confided in good order, moderation, obedi- 
 ence, and things of a like nature; but that a maritime power 
 was not encreafed by thofe means, but by naval arts, by 
 thofe who could manage oars, who had loft their own pof- 
 feflions, and were accuftomed to live upon others. Now, 
 it was not hid from them, that when fuch fhould flow into 
 the city, both the former difcipline muft be difTolved, and 
 the affedions of allies would be foon changed, when thofe, 
 to whom before they gave lands and cities, would be obliged 
 to pay thofe taxes and tributes, which I mentioned lately. 
 But tho' they were ignorant of nothing laid by me, thej 
 thought it proper, for a city of fuch greatnefs, and which 
 had acquired fuch glory, rather to fuffer all diiHculties tliaa 
 the empire of the Lacedaemonians. And tho' two things 
 were propofed to them, which were not good, they thought 
 this option preferable, to caufe others to fuflFer rather than 
 themfelves ; and rather to reign over others unjuftly, than, 
 avoiding a fault, ferve the Lacedaemonians unjuftly: which 
 all prudent perfons would certainly chufe and wifh ; but 
 fbme few, who profefs themfelves wife, were they afked, 
 would fay the contrary. Now, the caufes why they chofe 
 that form of government, which is reprehended by fome, 
 inftead of that which is praifed by all, were thofe I have 
 mentioned. 
 
 I WILL now fpeak of thofe things I propofed, and of our 
 anceftors, beginning from thofe times, when there was no 
 mention of the word democracy, or oligarchy, but all the 
 Grecian as well as the Barbarian cities were governed by 
 monarchies. For this reafon, I chufe to begin my difcouifc 
 from a greater diftance. In the firft place, judging it be- 
 comes thofe who difpute about precedence in virtue, that 
 they fhould, from their origin, excel others ; fecondly, be- 
 caufe I fhould be aftiamed, if, after having difcourfed more 
 than was necefliary about perfons excellent indeed, but not 
 related to me, I ftiould make no mention of our progeni- 
 tors, who kept our republic in the moft beautiful order, and 
 ib far excelled thofe who are now in power, as far as the 
 
 moft 
 
270 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 moft mild and prudent men excel the moft favage and cruel 
 beafts. For whjt^jsjhere of atr^t)t m iispiety and crimes, 
 which weThail not find in other cities, and erpecial])Lj.n 
 thofe cities which then were the greateft, and are now e- 
 fteemed fo? Shall we not find various murders of hrothers, 
 fathers, and guefts, committed in them ? Shall we not find 
 aflafllnations of mothers, inceftuousbeds, and children born 
 bv them who bore their fathers ? Shall we not find the de- 
 vouring of children plotted by the neareft related ? Shall we 
 not find the expofition of thofe they had begotten, the 
 drowning of them, the blinding of them, and fo many 
 crimes, that none of thofe who are accuftomed to fhew, 
 on the theatre, the calamities that then happened, ever 
 wanted matter ? I have related thefe things, not with an 
 intention to reproach them, but to fhew, that not only no- 
 thing of this nature "has'beeiT'done by ours (for this* would 
 be no proof of virtue, but of this only, that our countrymen 
 were different in their natures from the moft flagitious) j 
 but it becomes thofe, I fay,who diftinguiftiedly praife others, 
 not only to prove, that they afe not wicked, but that they 
 have exceeded, in all virtues, both thofe that have been, 
 and thofe who now are ; which any one may affirm of our 
 anceftors : for they fo rcligioufly and honourably managed 
 both the public and their private affairs, as was worthy of 
 fuch who were firft begotten by the gods, built a city, ufed 
 laws, and, in all times, obferved piety towards tlie gods, 
 andjuftice towards men. They were neither mixed 'with 
 Others, nor were aliens, but alone of all the Greeks native 
 primaeval inhabitants ; who had the foil for their nurfe, out 
 of which they were born, and loved it in fuch a manner as 
 the beft do their fathers and mothers ; who, befides, were fo 
 dear to the gods, that what feems very difficult and rare, 
 viz. to find any of royal and monarchical families, who 
 continue four or five centuries, that even this happened to 
 them ; for Erichthonius, born of Vulcan and the Earth, re- 
 ceived both the palace and kingdom from Cecrops, who had 
 no children : all who were born from him, having received 
 
 tho- 
 
 ) 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. z/r 
 
 the reins of government, who were not a few in number, 
 left their poffeflions and empires down to Thefeus ; of 
 whofe virtue and actions I wiih I had not difcourfed before; 
 for it would be a much more proper place to fpeak of them 
 in this oration, of which our city is the topic. But it was 
 difficult, or rather impoffible, that what occurred to me then, 
 (hould have been referved to this time, or that I (hould then 
 forefee this occafion. Let me therefore omit thofe things^ 
 fmce I have ufed them on an improper occafion. I will 
 only make mention of one adion, which has happened nei- 
 ther to have been mentioned before, nor done by any ether 
 than Thefeus, and was the greateft proof of his valour and 
 prudence : for having a moft fecure and large kingdom, in 
 which he had done many and noble things, both in war and 
 the public adminiftration, he defpifed all this ; and rather 
 chofe that glory which arifes from labours and conilicSls, 
 which would be celebrated in all futurity, than inadivity, 
 and that felicity which vi^as in his power, on account of his 
 kingdom. And he did this, not after he was become old, 
 bad enjoyed them, or was fatiated with his prefent goods ; 
 but, whilft he was in vigour, he left the c'ty to be governed 
 by the people ; and he himfelf never ceased to face dangers 
 both for It and the reft of Greece. And I have here, as far 
 as it was permitted me, made mention of the virtue of 
 Thefeus ; and I made mention before, and not negligently, 
 ainm virtues. But of thofe perfons merits, who under- 
 took the adminiftration of that city, which he gave them, 
 ^know not what I can fay that is fufficiently worthy ; who, 
 tho' they were ignorant of the forms of republics, yet erred 
 not in their choice, but chofe that republic, which is ac-- 
 knowledged by all not only the moft humane and equitable, 
 but the moft beneficial and pleafant to all that ufe it; for 
 tEey~conftituted fuch a democracy, as did not adminiftcr 
 tilings rafhly, or think Infolence liberty ; the licence of do- 
 ing as each pleafes^^^ happinefs; but which reprehended 
 thofe things, and was managed by an arlftocracy : which 
 
 form, tho' it is ufcful, the vulgar r^nk with that which con- 
 
 , — — - — ^ ^ fifls 
 
i72 The ORATIONS 
 
 fifts in the valuation of eftates ; not that they err by fttipidi- 
 ty, but becaufe they never confider things of this nature. I 
 fay, the forms of republics arc thredf- Id only ; an oligarchy^ 
 a democracy, and a monarchy. They who live under thefe 
 forms, and chufe thofe for magiflrates, who are the moft 
 proper, for all other offices, and will adminifter the public 
 affairs in the moft jufl and beft manner ; I fay, thofe in each 
 republic order their lives mod wifely in refpe^ of them- 
 felves and others ; but that they, who make ufe of the moft 
 rafh and wicked citizens in thefe offices, fuch who regard 
 not what is profitable to the city, but are ready to fubmit 
 ^ to any thing for fatiating their avarice, who would have 
 ' their cities filled with inhabitants who refemble the magi- 
 Urates in improbity : I judge thofe, on the contrary, to be 
 the worft confultors for their own and the people's eood- 
 But as for fuch, who neither adt thus, nor as I faid before^ 
 but while they are in fafety, honour thofe moft who flatter 
 them ; and, as foon as they begin to fear, have recourfe to 
 the beft and moft prudent; thefe, I judge, will, by turns, 
 manage their affairs fometimcs better, and fometimes worfe. 
 Suchj therefore^ is the nature of republics and common- 
 wealths. - .^^>., 
 
 I BELIEVE thefe topics will furnifh to others more words 
 than have been fpoken -, but I ought not to difpute any 
 longer about them, but of the republic only of our ancef- 
 tors : for I have promifed to demonftratc this of more va- 
 lue, and to have been the caufe of more goods, than that 
 conftituted in Sparta. Now, my difcourfe to thofe who 
 willingly hear me reafoning about a wife republic, will nei- 
 ther be troublefome, nor out of feafon, but connedled with 
 what I have faid before ; but to thofe who love not thefe 
 things, tho' fpoken wkh great care, but are chiefly pleafed 
 with fuch who abufe others in public affemblies, or, if they 
 abftain from fuch frenzy, praife the moft vile things, or the 
 worft of all men who ever lived, I doubt not but thij ora- 
 tion will feem longer than it ought to be. But I never 
 efteemed fuch hearers, nor do others who are prudent > but 
 
 thofe 
 
 ^ 
 
 *^- 
 
 "of I 8 O C R A T E 8. 273 
 
 . thofe who will remember what I have now faid, more than 
 any part of the oration, nor will blame the prolixity of the 
 difcourfe, though it fhould contain ten thdufand lines ; but 
 will think it is in their own power to read and look over 
 what part of it they pleafe j jetJL efteem thofe the moft, 
 who hear nothing _inore willingly than an oration which 
 commemorates mens virtues, and the manners of well con- 
 ftituted commonwealths J which would fome men, and 
 could they imitate, they would both poffefb their lives in 
 great glory, and would make their cities happy. I have 
 fliewn what fort of hearers I defire of my oration ; but I 
 am afraid, if fuch are prefent, left I fliould feem to exprefs 
 tnyfelf in a far meaner manner than thofe things require 
 which I am going to fpeak of. - 
 
 Therefore, that our city, in thofe times, was better 
 governed than others, we may juftly attribute to thofe kings . 
 whom I lately mentioned. It was they who inftru(5ied the 
 people in virtue, juftice, and great moderation, and taught 
 them, by their own adminiftration, what I am going to 
 mention, after they had fliewed it by example, that the 
 form of every commonwealth is, as it were, the foul, which 
 has the fame power as prudence in the body: for it is the 
 adminiftration which muft deliberate about every thing, 
 preferve profperity-, and avoid adverfity, and be the effective 
 "caufe of the good which happens to cities, which the peo- 
 ple, upon the change, did not forget; but took more care 
 of this than other things to chufe leaders, who defired a 
 popular ftate, and were endowed with fuch manners as 
 they were, who governed them before ; nor did they negli- 
 gently chufe fuch as no one would truft any thing of his 
 private affairs to ; nor permit thofe, who were evidently 
 bad, to have any {hare in the government, nor fo much as 
 bear their voice, who difgraced their own bodies, and yet 
 pretended to advife others how they fliould govern the ftate, 
 how they fliould become prudent, and manage affairs bet- 
 ter. They would not fuffer this ; nor would they bear the 
 voice of thofe who had fpent their paternal fubftance in in- 
 
 T famous 
 
«72 Th^ ORATIONS 
 
 fifts in the valuation of eftates ; not that they err by flupidi- 
 ty, but becaufe they never confider things of this nature. I 
 fay, the forms of republics arc thre^old only ; an oligarchy^ 
 a democracy, and a monarchy. They who live under thefe 
 forms, and chufe thofc for magiflrates, who are the moil 
 proper, for all other offices, and will adminifler the public 
 affairs in the mofl jufl and beft manner ; I fay, thofe in each 
 republic order their lives moft wifely in refped of them- 
 felves and others ; but that they, who make ufe of the moft 
 ralh and wicked citizens in thefe offices, fuch who regard 
 not what is profitable to the city, but are ready to fubmit 
 to any thing for fatiating their avarice, who would have 
 ^their cities filled with inhabitants who refemble the magi- 
 llrates in improbity : I judge thofe, on the contrary, to be 
 the worft confultors for their own and the people's eood- 
 But as for fuch, who neither adt thus, nor as I faid before^ 
 but while they are in fafety, honour thofe mofl who flatter 
 them ; and, as foon as they begin to fear, have recourfe to 
 the befl and mofl: prudent ; thefe, I judge, will, by turns, 
 manage their affairs fometimcs better, and fometimes worfe. 
 Suchi therefore, is the nature of republics and common- 
 wealths. - ,, ,^. : -, . : 
 
 I BELIEVE thefe topics will furnifh to others more words 
 than have been fpoken ; but I ought not to difpute any 
 longer about them, but of the republic only of our ancef- 
 tors: for I have promifed to demonflratc this of more va- 
 lue, and to have been the caufe of more goods, than that 
 conflituted in Sparta. Now, my difcourfe to thofe who 
 willingly hear me reafoning about a wife republic, will nei- 
 ther be troublefome, nor out of feafon, but connedled with 
 what I have faid before ; but to thofe who love not thefe 
 things, tho' fpoken with great care, but are chiefly pleafed 
 with fuch who abufe others in public alTemblies, or, if they 
 abftain from fuch frenzy, praife the mofl vile things, or the 
 worft of all men who ever lived, I doubt not but this ora- 
 tion will feem longer than it ought to be. But I never 
 efteemed fuch hearers, nor do others who are prudent ; but 
 
 thofe 
 
 If 
 
 f 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 
 4**i ■ 
 
 "of I S O C R A T E S. 273 
 
 thofc who will remember what I have now faid, more than 
 any part of the oration, nor will blame the prolixity of the 
 difcourfe, though it fhould contain ten thoufand lines ; but 
 will think it is in their own power to read and look over 
 what part of it they pleafe j yet I efteem thofe the moft, 
 who hear nothing more willingly than an oration which 
 commemorates mens virtues, and the manners of well con- 
 ftituted commonwealths J which would fome men, and 
 could they imitate, they would both pofTefb their lives in 
 great glory, and would make their cities happy. I have 
 fliewn what fort of hearers I defire of my oration ; but I 
 am afraid, if fuch are prefent, left I fhould feem to exprefs 
 myfelf in a far meaner manner than thofe things require 
 which I am going to fpeak of. - 
 
 Therefore, that our city, in thofe times, was better 
 governed than others, we may juftly attribute to thofe kings 
 whom I lately mentioned. It was they who inftruded the 
 people in virtue, juftice, and great moderation, and taught 
 them, by their own adminiftration, what I am going to 
 mention, after they had fhewed it by example, that the 
 form of every commonwealth is, as it were, the foul, which 
 has the fame power as prudence in the body : for it is the 
 adminiftration which muft deliberate about every thing, 
 preferve profperity-, and avoid adverfity, and be the effective 
 ^caufe of the good which happens to cities, which the peo- 
 ple, upon the change, did not forget; but took more care 
 of this than other things to chufe leaders, who defired a 
 popular ftate, and were endowed with fuch manners as 
 they were, who governed them before ; nor did they negli- 
 gently chufe fuch as no one would truft any thing of his 
 private affairs to; nor permit thofe, who were evidently 
 bad, to have any (hare in the government, nor fo much as 
 bear their voice, who difgraced their own bodies, and yet 
 pretended to advife others how they (hould govern the ftate, 
 how they fliould become prudent, and manage affairs bet- 
 ter. They would not fuffer this ; nor would they bear the 
 voice of thofe who had fpent their paternal fubftance in in- 
 
 T famous 
 
 
 i 
 
 «(*a 
 

 
 ^ 
 
 
 i 
 
 "^ 
 
 4 
 
 
 c^ 
 
 274 The" ORATIONS 
 
 famous pleafures, and fought to feek, in the public monieSj 
 a remedy for their private poverty ; nor their voice neither, 
 who always feek to flatter, and, by fo doing, throw thofe 
 who liften into trouble and calamities. All will judge, that 
 fuch men as thefe fhould be removed from all public coun- 
 fcls ; and, befides thofe, fuch as fay all private pofTeflions 
 belong to the city, and yet are not afraid to plunder thofe, 
 which are its right, and who pretend to love the people, but 
 render them odious to all; who, in words, fear for the 
 Greeks, but, in fa6t, injuring and calumniating them in 
 fuch a manner, that they make others fo afFeded towards 
 us, that fuch cities as are befieged would fooner admit the 
 befiegers into their walls than our garifons. A perfon muft 
 be worn out with writing, fhould he attempt to expofe all 
 their crimes and villainy : which crimes being detefted by 
 our fathers, equally with fuch as were guilty of them, they did 
 not make any counfellors and magiftrates, but the moft pru- 
 dent, the beft, and who had lived thf moft innocent lives. 
 The fame they made generals, and fent as embafladors on 
 occafions, and committed all the magiftracies to themj 
 thinking, that thofe, who, in a public fpeech, both would 
 and could give the beft advice, that they alone, and in all 
 places, and about all bufmefs, would retain the fame fent?- 
 ments; which indeed happened. By means of this pru- 
 dent judgment, they faw, in a few days, written laws, not 
 offuch a nature as the prefent, nor full of fuch confufion 
 anf contradiclions, that thofe in force fignify no more 
 than thofe that were annulled ; but at firft few, which 
 yet would fuffice thofe who were to ufe them, and w^re 
 eafy to be underftood ; then^ fuch as were juft^ ufeful, and 
 confiftent with one another, and tending more to promote 
 a good public oeconomy, than even private commerce ; 
 fuch as the laws ought to be amongft thofe who live in a 
 well-regulated commonwealth. About the fame time, they 
 invefted with magiftracies, thofe who were chofen by the 
 companies and citizens ; not making thofe magiftracies 
 fubje^ of ambition, or worthy of defire, but more like 
 
 thofe 
 
 
 >r- 
 
 .' ■- 
 
 ■> «■-•■ 
 
 ■•ri 
 
 
 
 ^^>T of I S O C R A T E S. ' 27I 
 
 ihofe offices which give trouble, but refle<Sl honour on the 
 "employed ^ for it became thofe who were chofen to go- 
 verh, to negledl their private affairs, and to abftain as 
 ihuch Jrom thofe Unes, which are ufually given to the ma* 
 giftracy, as religioufly as from the donations to temples. 
 (But who would fuffer this cuftom now ?) Such who dili- 
 gently executed their offices, after a moderate encomium, 
 they deftined to another employment ; but thofe who had 
 the leaft failed, incurred the gfeateft difgraces and penal- 
 ties : fo that none of the citizens, as now, defired ma- 
 giftracies 3 but it was more agreeable to avoid than obtain 
 them ; and all thought there could not be a more equitable 
 republic, and more beneficial for the people, than that which 
 gave them an immunity from fuch fundions, but made 
 them mafters of eleding magiftrates, and taking punifli- 
 ment of the delinquent ; which happens likewifc under the 
 happieft kings. This is an evident fign, that they loved 
 what I fay is beft y for it is certain, that the people oppofed 
 the other forms of a republic, which difpleafe, overturned 
 them, and flew the governors j but made ufe of this no Jefs T-tc 
 than a thoufand years, and continued in it from the time 
 when it began down to the age of Solon, and regency of 
 Pififtratus ; who being made a governor of the people, much ' 
 prejudiced the republic, and caft out the beft citizens, as 
 lovers of an oligarchy, and at laft difTolvcd the popular 
 ftate, and made himfelf monarch. . '*^" 
 
 Perhaps fome will fay, that I fpeak abfurdly (for this- 
 oration may be fpoken againft), becaufe I dare exprefs my- 
 felf as if perfectly acquainted with thofe affairs I was not 
 prefent at when they were tranfaded. Now, I judge, I da 
 nothing of this rafhly ; for if I alone believed what is faid 
 of the antients, and thofe writings which have been handed 
 down to us, I might be juftly blamed. But it is evident, 
 that many and prudent men do the fame. Befides, if I waar 
 called upon to give proofs, I could do it, that all men ac- 
 quire more feieiices by hearing than feeing ; yet we ought 
 Jiot to negled fuch reprehenfions (for, perhaps, if no one 
 
 '4 ^-^i^-^ 
 
 1 a 
 
 anfwered. 
 
 
 W*^ 
 
 A 
 
 
 »,-' 
 
 I' 
 
 vX-- 
 
^f ..> 
 
 ,v^ 
 
 \ 
 
 276 The ORATIONS 
 
 anfwered, thev might prejudice truth), nor yet dwell too 
 long on refuting them ; but, after having hinted reafons 
 whereby fuch may be proved to trifle, to return from the 
 digrefTion to our fubjedt, and finifh what remains; which I 
 
 fhall do. 
 
 It is already fhewn fufHciently, what was the order of 
 the republic which then was, and the time which we ufed 
 it ; it remains, that we recite the adtions which arofe from 
 a well-regulated republic. By thefe it will be clearer un- 
 derftood, that our anceftors had a better and more mode- 
 rate government than others ; and that they made ufe of 
 fuch counfellors, as it becomes prudent men. But before I 
 explain myfelf on thefe heads, I muft fpeak a few prefatory 
 words to thefe critics ; for if, negleding their reprehen- 
 fions, who can do nothing elfe but find fault, I fliould relate 
 in order both their other anions, and the military conduct, 
 by the means of which our anceftors conquered the Barba- 
 rians, and became famous among the Greeks ; it muft hap- 
 pen, that feme will fay, that I recite the laws which Lycur- 
 gus made, and the Spartans ufe. I indeed confefs, that I 
 ihall mention many thin^. which are received amongft 
 YGenTr not that Lycurgus invented, or firft thought of them, 
 but that he imitated the government of our anceftors in the 
 ^teft manner which he could, and conftituted amongft them 
 a democracy, tempered with an ariftocracy, fuch as was 
 amongft us ; made the magiftrates be eleded not by lots, 
 but votes,^an(i 'rendered as facred by law the eledion of 
 thofe elders "who prefide over all things, as it is faid our an-_ 
 ceftors did in the eledion of thofe who were chofen into 
 the Areopagus : befides, he gave them the fame authority 
 which he knew our fenate had. That therefore he regu- 
 ~lated theiraffairs'asours were formerly, it is eafy for thofe 
 "who are defirous', to be informed by many. But that the^ 
 Spartans neither excrcifed the arts of war before, nor better 
 ^than our countrymen, I judge I (hall make fo manifeft by 
 'thofe conflias and battles, which, it is confefled, happened 
 ^"at that time, that not even they, who are fooliihly partifans 
 
 <?f 
 
 m 
 
 Vii* 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 277 
 
 of the Lacedaemonians fhall be able to contradict my words, 
 nor thofe either who admire, envy, and endeavour to imi- 
 tate us. 
 
 I SHALL make an exordium of what I am going to fay, 
 perhaps unpleafant to fome in the hearing, but not ufelefs in 
 the narration ; for if any one fay, that thefe two cities have 
 been authors of great good to the Grecians, and of the 
 greateft calamities after the expedition of Xerxes, he muft 
 appear to fpeak the truth to all thofe who know any thing of 
 the adlions of thofe times j for they fought bravely againft 
 his power; and, when they had done this, and it became 
 them to have confulted wifely about what remained, they 
 fell, I do not fay, into that folly, but madnefs, that, with 
 him who had attacked, and defigned to have entirely de- 
 ftroyed both thefe cities, and opprefled the other Greeks 
 with flavery; with fuch a one, I fay, whom they might eafily 
 have conquered both by fea and land, they made a perpetual 
 peace, as with one who had been a benefactor ; and envy- 
 ing one another's virtues, and falling into mutual war and 
 emulation, they ceafed not deftroying themfelves, and other 
 Grecians, till they had given the greateft opportunity to the 
 enemy of reducing our city to the extremeft danger by their 
 power, and again of reducing theirs by the power of us. 
 And when they had been fo far furpafled in prudence by a 
 barbarous king, they neither grieved then in a becoming 
 manner the calamities they fuffered, nor as was worthy 
 of themfelves ; nor does it now ftaame fome of the Grecian 
 cities to flatter for his wealth. For the Argives and 
 Thebans helped him to conquer Eg}^pt , we, and the La - 
 cedaemonians, though there is an alliance betwixt us, are 
 'more hoftilely inclined towards one another, than againft 
 thofe we fight with. Of which this is no fmall proof: 
 for we confult in common about no one thing; but we 
 feparately both of us fend embaifadors to him, hoping, 
 that whichfoever city he favours, will render itfelf maf- 
 ter of Greece ; not obferving, that he is wont to infult 
 thofe who ferve him, but endeavours, by all methods, to 
 
 T 3 end 
 
 \^ 
 
278 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 end contentions with fuch as oppofe and contemn hi3' 
 power. 
 
 I HAVE related thefe things, not ignorant that Tome will 
 be bold enough to fay, that I have ufed difcourfe foreign to 
 my fubjedt. But I think, that no difcourfes were ever fpoke, 
 that could agree better than thofe with what went before, 
 or by which any one can better fhevv that our anceftors 
 were prudenter than they in things of thegreateft moment; 
 I mean, thofe who governed our city, as well as thofe who 
 governed the Spartan city after the war with Xerxes ; for it 
 is certain, that they, in thofe times, made peace with the 
 Barbarians, and ruined themfelves and other cities, and 
 now would command the other Greeks, and fend embafla- 
 dors to contrail ft iendfhip, and make an alliance with the 
 Perlians. But they who before held our city, did nothing 
 of this nature, but quite the contrary ; for they as refolutely 
 abftained from Grecian cities, as religious perfons from the 
 confecrated gifts in temples; and they thought that the 
 moft juft and necefTary war, which by all mankind was 
 carried on againft the favagenefs of wild beafts : the next to 
 this, that which was by all the Grecians againft the Bar- 
 barians, who were both enemies by nature, and in all times 
 ill-intentioned to us, I have not made this oration out of 
 my own invention, but from my reafoning upon their ac- 
 tions ; for feeing other cities entangled in many diftrefles 
 and wars, and their own only well governed, they judged it 
 neither became them, who were wifer, and managed their 
 republic better than others, either to difregard, or let thofe 
 cities which were of confanguinity with them perifh : but 
 that they ought to confider how, and endeavour to free 
 them from their prefent evils. Having thus thought, they 
 tried, by embaflies and arguments, to put an end to the diflen- 
 fions of thofe cities, which were leis difordered; but to thofe 
 who laboured more under feditions, they fent thofe of the 
 greateft authority among their citizens, who gave them 
 counfcl about fuch things as were then in agitation, and 
 cpnverfmg with thofe, who, on account of poverty, could 
 
 not 
 
 A 
 
 !».■ 
 
 
 -s*? 
 
 •^J 
 
 V 
 
 1 - •■wi>. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 279 
 
 not live in their own country, and were by nature worfe dif- 
 pofed than was convenient for the laws (fuch ufiialiy ruin 
 cities) ; fuch, I fay, they perfuaded to make war along 
 with them, and feek a better life than that which they then 
 led. There being many who chofe thefe terms, and obeyed 
 their counfels, compofmg armies of them, they, after their 
 having overthrown and driven out all thofe Barbarians, who 
 held the iflands, and who inhabited both the fhores of the 
 continent, placed thofe of the Greeks there who were in 
 the greateft indigence. And they never ceafed to adl, and 
 fhew this to others, until they heard, that the Spartans had 
 fubjeded to themfelves the Peloponnefian cities. After- 
 wards, they were forced to turn their minds to their own 
 affairs. What good then came from that war carried on 
 about the colonies and feizure of lands ? (for, I judge, moft: 
 will be defirous of hearing this.) I anfwer, that the Greeks 
 became richer in all the neceflaries of life, and were more 
 at concord, by being freed from fuch and fo many men, that 
 the Barbarians were driven out of their country, and be* 
 became more fubmiflive than before ; and that thofe whet 
 were the authors of thefe things, were made famous, and 
 doubled the extent of Greece. Therefore I cannot find a 
 greater benefit, or a more univerfal one done the. Grecians, 
 But, perhaps, we ftiall have to mention what will be more 
 related to military, knowledge, and tho' worthy of lefs ho- 
 nour, yet manifeft to all : for who is ignorant, or who has 
 not heard in the feaft of Bacchus from the tragedians, what 
 happened to Adraftus among the Thebans ? who endea- 
 vouring to reftore the fon of CEdipus, and his own fon-ia.'> 
 law, loft a great 'many of the Argives, but faw all his cfen. 
 turions flain ; and he having ftiamefuUy faved himfelf, when 
 he could not obtain an agreement, nor carry ofF the dead 
 for burial, becoming a fupplicant to our city, while Thefeus 
 governed it, prayed that it would not fuiFer fuch men to h'e 
 unburied, and an antient inftitute and native cuftom to be 
 abrogated, which all men ufe, not as having been invented 
 by mortal underftanding, but as commanded by divine 
 
 T 4 power i 
 
 
28o The O R A T I O N S 
 
 power ; which Thefeus having heard, and making no de- 
 lay, he fcnt embafTadors to Thebes, who might perfuadc 
 them to take a more pious refolution concerning the dead, 
 and give a more equitable anfwer than the former ; and 
 might hint this, that our city would not permit them to in- 
 fringe the common law of Greece : which they who then 
 governed in Thebes having heard, they were not of that 
 fentiment which fome are about thofe things, nor perfiftcd 
 in what they firft decreed j but when they had pleaded their 
 caufe with moderation, and accufed the befiegers, they 
 gave the power to our city of taking away the dead 
 bodies. 
 
 Nor let any one imagine,! am ignorant, that I now feem 
 to fpeak contrary to what I wrote in the panegyric concern- 
 ing thefe things. But I think none of thofe, who can un- 
 derftand them, will be fo foolifh, or full of envy, as not to 
 praifeme, and judge I aded prudently, that I fpoke then in 
 that manner, and now in this. I know I have wrote on 
 thefe topics juftjy and profitably ; but how much at that 
 time our city excelled in warlike adions (for defigning to 
 demonftrate this, I related what had happened at Thebes), 
 I think that a£tion evidently fliews to all, which forced the 
 Argive king to be fuppliant to our city, and reduced the 
 Theban lords to thofe ftraits, that they chofe rather to obey 
 the meiTages fent by our city than the law of a deity. No- 
 thing of which could have been well performed, unlefs our 
 city had far excelled the reft in authority and power. 
 
 Having many and noble adions to mention of our an- 
 ceftors, I am doubtful in what method I (hall treat of them ; 
 for I am more follicitous about that than any other thing. I 
 
 ax n nny romp t ojjiejlaft part of the difcourfe which I de- 
 
 • — liffil^J in whic h I projmTerXQ^HJ^^ 
 
 exccilea" the ^ajrtan^jn wars and battles. This orafloif 
 ' wTTn^nTlHiSrm^cdi^ others will 
 
 know it to be true. Juft now I doubted, whether I 
 Ihould firft relate the confiicls and battles of the Spar- 
 tans, or thofe of our countrymen ; but I now chufe to re- 
 late 
 
 \ 
 
 
 & 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 281 
 
 late the battles of the former, that I may finifh this oration 
 upon thefe two cities, by their more glorious and equitable 
 aftions. After that the Dorians, who had marched with an 
 army into Peloponnefus, had divided the cities into three 
 divifions, and had extorted the lands from fuch as had 
 juftly pofTefTed them ; they, who had for their lot Argos 
 and MefTena, adminiftered their commonwealths almoft in 
 the fame manner as the other Grecians. As for the third 
 part, whom we call Lacedaemonians, thofe, who have tho- 
 roughly examined their hiftory, fay, that they were more 
 feditious than any other of the Greeks ; and when thofe, 
 who had more elevated minds than the vulgar, were be- 
 come mafters, they took not fuch meafures as are ufually 
 taken by thofe who have fufFered by fedition ; for they judged 
 others, who allow thofe who have moved a fedition, to live 
 in the city, and be partakers of all advantages excepting 
 magiftracies, very imprudent, if they imagine they can go- 
 vern the comrtionwealth with fecurity, while they inhabit 
 with thofe whom they have trefpafTed againft. They fay, 
 the Spartans did no fuch thing ; but made an equality a- 
 mongft themfelves, and fuch a democracy, as it becomes 
 thofe to make who would always live in concord ; but that 
 they placed the common people about them in the neigh- 
 bourhood, oppreffing their minds with flavery, no lefs than 
 thofe of their fervants. After they had done this, tho' it 
 was juft that all (hould have received an equal portion of 
 land, they feized, tho' they were but a few, not only the 
 beft part, but fo much as no others of the Greeks have ; 
 and they only divided the worft part amongft the multitude* 
 that, cultivating it with a great deal of labour, they might 
 fcarce have daily food. Afterwards their numbers being di- 
 vided, they made the vulgar and greateft part plant them- 
 felves in a very narrow compafs, called by names like thofe 
 who dwell in cities, but having lefs power than the com- 
 moneft people amongft us. When they had thus deprived 
 them of all which it is juft freemen fhould enjoy, they im- 
 pofed on them the greateft (hare of dangers ; for in thofe 
 
 expedi- 
 
■ » 
 
 ^\1 
 
 282 The ORATIONS 
 
 expeditions, when the king headed their army, they 
 obliged them to fland man by man by themfelves j and 
 <bme they chofe, who were to be placed before the firft 
 phalanx ; and, if it was necefTary to fend fuccour in 
 labours and danger, and lighten the tedioufnefs of length 
 of time, they would fend thefe to run the hazards of o- 
 thers. Why need I fay more, in enumerating all the 
 contumelies done the multitude? rather, after mention- 
 ing the greateft evil, let us omit the rei\; for it is per- 
 mitted the ephori, without pafling judgment, to flay as 
 many as they will, of thofe who, from the beginning, have 
 fufFered fuch hardihips, and on occafion are fo ufeful ; tho' 
 it is not thus permitted the other Greeks to kill the moft pro- 
 fligate flavcs. 
 
 I THEREFORE have fpoke more at large of their manner 
 of treating their domeftics, and the faults committed againft 
 them, that I might alk of thofe admirers of all the Spartans 
 a£tions, whether they approve of thefe, and the wars they 
 have had with the inferior clafs ? for I think they have been 
 great, and cruel, and the caufes of calamities to the con- 
 quered, but of profits to the vidtors ; for the fake of which 
 thev alwavs continue fio-hting;, but fuch battles indeed as are 
 neither religious, reputable, honourable, nor glorious, for 
 thofe who claim that excellence which confifls not in arts 
 ,and many other things, but that which grows up in the 
 
 \^* mind with piety and juftice, and about which is all this 
 difcourfe ; which fome defpifmg, praifc them, altho' they 
 have committed more faults than others : nor do they ob- 
 ferve, that they betray their own minds, and fhew that they 
 would pr'aife thofe who dared toktihtheir brother^, friends, 
 
 'arid "partners, if they might enjoy their poflefTionsT for fuch 
 "^Crimes are like thofe which the Spartans have committed, 
 which whofoever approve of, muft have the fame fentiment 
 about what I have mentioned. I wonder there (hould be 
 any, who do not think that battles and vi6tories, gained con- 
 trary torighi, are more ihameful, and difgraced by infamy, 
 than defeats received without cowardice ; efpecially fince 
 
 they 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
 / 
 
 of -I S O C R A T E S. 283 
 
 they know, that great but wicked armies arc often fuperior 
 to good men, and thofe who chufe to run dangers for their 
 trountry ; whom we may with much more juftice praife> 
 than thofe who are ready to die for acquiring others proper- 
 ties, and are like to mercenary troops ; for thefe are the ac- 
 tions of defperate men. But that good men fometimes 
 fhould more unfuccefsfully make war than aggrefTors in in- 
 juries, fome one perhaps will fay, proceeds from the negli- 
 gence of the gods. This argument I may ufe in regard of 
 thofe calamities which befel the Spartans at Thermopylae, 
 which all who have ever heard of, praife and admire more 
 than thofe battles which were gained over adverfaries, hut 
 were fought againfl thofe thev ought not to have been : 
 which vidlories fome take a plcafure in praifing, being ig- 
 norant that nothing is religious or honefl, which is not faid 
 and done with juftice; which never was the care of the 
 Spartans : for they have in view nothing elfe, but to feize 
 oh others properties as much as poflible. But our citizens 
 never laboured any thing with fuch ardor, as to flourifh with 
 glory amongft the Greeks ; for they thought, that no fen- 
 tence could be more true or equitable than fuch as was gi- 
 ven by the whole nation. They fliewed they.were of this 
 mind, both by their behaviour in the adminiftration of the 
 repub|[c, and their other adions ; for in all the three wars 
 which happened betwixt the Greeks and Barbarians, befides 
 the Trojan, our city was the chief: one of which was that 
 Z U^U carried on againft Xerxes, in which out citizens as far ex- 
 celled the Lacedaemonians as they did all others; the other 
 was that which happened at the time when the colonies were 
 eftablifhed, and to which none of the Dorians came as fuc- 
 cours : but our city, becoming the leader of the indigent, 
 and of as many others as would, changed affairs fo, that 
 it was the caufe, tho* the Barbarians were accuftomed to 
 feize the greateft Grecian cities, that the Greeks could do 
 what they before had fuffered. Of thefe two wars enough 
 has been faid in the preceding oration ; I will now make 
 mention of the third, which was raifed when the Grecian 
 
 cities 
 
 9 
 
 « *. 
 
 •••(v.'* 
 
: ? 
 
 284 The ORATIONS 
 
 cities were lately rebuilt, and ours yet obeyed the king; 
 during which period, both the dreadfulleft wars and the 
 grcateft dangers happened; all which I can neither imagine 
 or explain. Omitting therefore the greateft part of what 
 was done at that time, but not neceflary to be mentioned 
 at prefent, I will, as briefly as I can, endeavour to fpeak of 
 thofe who attacked our city, and thofe battles which were 
 worthy of remembrance; as likewife of our captains, the 
 caufes pretended, and the power of thofe nations which 
 followed them: for thefc things will fuffice^ befides what 
 we have faid of the adverfaries. The Thracians, indeed, 
 .with Eumolpus the fon of Neptune, made an inroad upon 
 our lands, and contended for the city with Eridheus, fay- 
 ing, that Neptune, before Mincr\'a, had feizcd on it ; and 
 the Scythians, with the Amazons, who were faid to be be- 
 gotten by Mars, undertook an expedition on account of An- 
 tiope, the fifter of Hippolita,who had both violated the laws 
 that were fac red amongft tliem, and captivated with the love 
 of Thefeus, had followed and been married to him : but 
 the Peloponnefians doing the fame with Euryftheus, who 
 had not fufFered for thofe injuries which he had done Her- 
 cules, and he undertaking a war againft our anceftors, as 
 if he would take thence his children (for they had fled to 
 us), fufFered that which was due to his merits ; for he was 
 fo far from performing what he had written in his letters, 
 that he would bring the fupplicants under his power, that, 
 conquered in a battle, and taken by our men, he finilhed 
 his life, after he had begged it of thofe whom he had de- 
 manded. After this, when thofe fent by Darius to ravage 
 Greece, had made a defcent at Marathon, and they were 
 involved in morediftreiles and greater calamities than they 
 hoped to have brought upon our city, they were all forced 
 to fly out of Greece. Our anceftors, therefore, when 
 they had conquered all thofe who did not invade them at 
 the fame time, but as opportunity, cheir utility, or counfels 
 happened, and had repulfed their injuries, were not changed 
 when they had done fuch great things, nor fufFered the fame 
 
 as 
 
 f 
 
 I* 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 285 
 
 as thofe, who, becaufe they had confulted prudently, and had 
 acquired great wealth and glory, being elated by fuch gran- 
 deur, and blinded by pride, were deprived of reafon, and 
 reduced to a more humble and worfe ftate than what they 
 were in before. But avoiding this, they perfevered in their 
 own inftitutes, becaufe they had a better government; 
 conceiving higher thoughts from the habit of their minds, 
 and prudence, than from the pafl: battles, and becaufe they 
 would be more admired by others for this conftancy and mo- 
 deration, than that valour which they {hewed amidft labours 
 and dangers ; for they all perceived, that many of thofe who 
 exceed in wickednefs, have warlike bravery ; but that the 
 bad are ypid of that virtue, which is ufeful in all ihings, and 
 can benefit every one ; and that it is inherent in them alone, 
 "who are happily born, educated, and inflruded, which - 
 thofe, who then governed the city, were poflfefled of, and 
 thereby were the authors of all the felicity I have mentioned 
 above. 
 
 I HAVE obferved others to conclude their orations with 
 the greateft and moft memorable tranfadtions. Indeed I 
 think thofe who fo judge and fo do, to be wife men ; but as 
 it is not permitted me to do the fame, I muft extend my 
 oration beyond thofe bounds. The reafon why I do fo, I 
 ihall mention hereafter, when I have fpoken of thofe advo- 
 cates for the Spartans. I was correding this oration, when 
 it was written fo far as we are come, with three or four ^ 
 young perfons who ufed to converfe with me ; when we had 
 read it over, it feemed to be well compofed, and only to 
 want a conclufion ; yet I judged it proper to fend for fome 
 one of thofe who had been my fcholars, but had lived in an 
 oligarchy, and had always afFeded to praife the Lacedaemo- 
 nians ; that if any thing falfely fpoken had efcaped me, he, 
 by his quick perception, might acquaint me with it. When 
 he therefore came, and had read the oration, he found no- 
 thing which I had written amifs, but praifed it very much, 
 and faid of each part ahnoft the fame as we judged; 
 tho' it appeared he did not approve of thofe things which 
 
 had 
 
 ^=*'''**^''''^^'''"»"^'^^*^^^^ 
 
286 The ORATIONS 
 
 had been fald of the Lacedaemonians. He foon fhewcd it ; 
 for he dared to fay, that, had they been authors of no othe^ 
 good to the Greeks, yet all fhould be juftly grateful to them 
 on this account, that, having invented the nobleft infti- 
 tutes, they themfdves had ufed them, and had (hewn them 
 to others. This fo fhort and brief an afTertion, was the 
 reafon I did not finifh the oration as I defigned, but thought 
 I fhould aa fhamefully, and with mcannefs, if, being pre- 
 fent my felf, I fhould fuffer any of my difciples to ufe fuch 
 indecent exprefTions. Thinking in this manner, I afked of 
 him, if he had no value for the perfons prefent, nor was 
 afhamed of an impious and falfe pofition, which Was like- 
 wife full of contradidions. You will underfland, added 
 I, that It IS fuch, if you afk of the prudent what inftitutea 
 they judge the moft beautiful ; and, again, how long it is 
 fince the Spartans have inhabited Peloponnefus. There is 
 none but will think the chief of all inftitutes to be p^to- 
 ^^-ards the gods, juftice towards men, and prudence in other 
 ihmgs. All will fay, the Spartans have not inhabited there 
 above feven hundred years. Thefe things being fo, if yoii 
 fay the truth, when youaflbrt that they were the inventers 
 cf the befl inftitutes, it neccflarily follows, that thofe who 
 were born many ages before the Spartans had fettled there,- 
 were not partakers of them ; neither thofe who fought at 
 Troy, nor thofe born in the time of Hercules and Thefeus^ 
 nor Minos the fon of Jupiter, nor Rhadamanthus, nor 
 i^acus, nor any of the rcii who are now celebrated in 
 hymns for thefe virtues, but all of them enjoy a falfe ho- 
 nour. But if you triile, and it is reafonable that thofe 
 who were born of gods, fhould both have pradifed thefe 
 virtues more than others, and have fhewed them to polle- 
 rity, it cannot happen otherwife, but that you mufl feem 
 extravagant to the hearers, when you praife any in fo rafh 
 and fuch an unjuft a manner -, and commend thofe who dc^ 
 fcrve reprehenfion, as if you had heard nothing of my ora- 
 tion. Thus you had erred before, but had not fpoken con- 
 tradiaions i but when I ha\ e produced my oration, whicl* 
 
 (hcwsy 
 
 1. /; 
 
 ■ of I S O C R A T E S. 287 
 
 ihews, that the Lacedaemonians have committed many and 
 heinous anions againfl their relations and other Greeks, 
 how could you fay, that thofe who were guilty of fuch 
 crimes, were the chief authors of the noblcfl inflitutes ? 
 Befides, I wondered, that you Ihould be ignorant, that it is 
 not every one who finds out that which is either wanting to 
 inflitutes, arts, or any other things, but thofe who excel in 
 genius, have been able to learn the mofl antient fciences, 
 and have applied their minds more than others to new in- 
 ventions J from all which the Lacedaemonians are remoter 
 than the very Barbarians : for it will appear, that thefe have 
 been both the fcholars and teachers of many inventions ; 
 but the others have been fo averfe to common learning and 
 philofophy, that they learn not letters; which have fuch 
 power, that whofoever know them well, and ufe them 
 rightly, know not only what is done in their own age, but 
 what was done in all times. Yet you, I fay, have dared 
 to call thofe who are ignorant of fuch things, the inventers 
 of the noblcfl difcipline ; and tho* you know this, that they 
 habituate their children to fuch exercifes, by which they 
 may not become benefa<Stor3 to Greece, but may prejudice it 
 much as poffible. And fhould I reckon up all their exer- 
 cifes, I fhould caufe a great naufea both in myfelf and hear- 
 ers. But when I have mentioned only one, which they 
 love, and are fondeft of, I think I fhall have demonflratcd 
 all their manners ; for they fend their youth, as foon as they 
 rife, into the fields, on pretence of hunting, but, in faa, to 
 rob thofe who live in the country : in which cafe, fliould 
 they be taken, they pay money, and are lafhed for it ; but 
 thofe who have committed more crimes, and could carry off 
 fomething, are more celebrated among the boys than others ; 
 and when they arrive at manhood, if they continue in 
 thefe pra6tices they loved when boys, they fland the fairefl 
 chance for the highefl magiflracies. Now, if any one can 
 (hew me any part of their difcipline more loved by them, 
 Dr more honoured, I will confefs I have hitherto faid nothing 
 to any purpofe. But what is there noble, whathonefl:, nay, 
 
 I not 
 
 3 
 
I / 
 
 \ 
 
 ±%g The ORATIONS 
 
 not worthy of ftiame, in fuch actions ? How can any one 
 ^o other wife than efteem them mad, who praife thofe who 
 have fo far departed from the fenfe of common laws, and 
 think not, in this refpect, either with Greeks or Barbari- 
 ans ? for thefe think the mifchievous and thieves worfe than 
 flaves : the other, thofe boys, who are chief in fuch actions* 
 the beft among their fellows, and honour them the moft. 
 But what prudent man would not chufe rather to die, than 
 be known, by fuch practices, to imagine he could intro- 
 duce virtue ? 
 
 ' When he had heard this, he did not confidently oppofe 
 any thing I faid, nor yet was entirely filent ; but added, you 
 indeed (meaning me) have fpoke in fuch a manner, as if I 
 approved of all thofe things, and think they are right. You 
 feem to me juftly to blame them for the licentioufnefsof their 
 children, and many other things, but yet to find fault with 
 meunjuftly : for I was forry,while I read the oration, not fo 
 '^ much for what was faid in it againft the Lacedaemonians, as 
 becaufe I, who was hitherto accuftomed to praife them, had 
 nothing to oppofe. When I was reduced to thefe ftraits, 
 I faid what remained to me, viz. that we ought to be grate- 
 ful to them, if on no other account, at leaft on this, that 
 they ufed the moft beautiful inftitutes. I faid not this with 
 a vieiv either to piety, jufHce, or prudence, which you men- 
 tioned, but to the gymnaftic games, their exercifes of forti- 
 tude, their concord, and, in a word, their military artj 
 which all will confefs to be noble, and they chiefly to ufc 
 
 them. ^ 
 
 — ^He having faid this, I received his anfwer, not as if he 
 had refuted any thing of my accufation ; but as hiding what 
 was' the moft vehemently faid, not illiterately, but wifely, 
 and as having defended the other things more modeftly than 
 he at firft boaited. But omitting this, I told him, I had a 
 more grievous accufation againft what he laft had faid, than 
 about the boys thieving ; for by that exercife, faid I, they 
 have corrupted their own children ; but by what you now 
 have mentioned, they have ruined Greece. It is an eafy 
 
 I matter 
 
 t 
 
 i: 
 
 ■i- 
 
 fh-" 
 
 ■.1.% 
 
 bf ISOCRATES. 289 
 
 ipatter to know this ; for, I think, all will confcfs, that i\ 
 thofe are the worft of men, and worthy of the greateft pu- / 1 \ 
 nifhments, who ufe things which were invented for good> fi 
 to the ruin of others, not of Barbarians, nor delinquents, | 
 nor of thofe who invade their country, but of thofe who I 
 are moft united with them by alliances and blood ; which 
 the Spartans have done. Now, how can any one fay 7th at ' 
 they ufe the military art well, who have never ceafed \ 
 to deftroy thofe at all times, whom they ought to havepre— • 
 ferved ? But you are not^Tonly^pertB'n TgnSant of what ? 
 they ufe well, but almoft all the Greeks ; for as foon as they » \ 
 have feen any do foy or have heard from others, that they 
 ardently ftudy thofe things which are efteemed laudable^ 
 they immediately praife them, and make many difcourfes of 
 them, thq' they do not know what will happen. But it 
 becomes thofe who would judge with fanity^ to be calm in 
 things of this nature in the beginning, and have no opinion 
 about them ; but when fuch a time is elapfed, that they 
 have been obferved fpeaking and acting both in private and 
 public affairs, then we fhould confider each of them accu- 
 rately, and honour and praife thofe who apply with jufticc 
 and integrity thofe ftudies which they have chofen, but to 
 reprehend the delinquent and profligate, and ihun their ex- 
 ample ; refledling, that the nature of things neither benefit ^ 
 or prejudice us, but that the ufe made of them by men, and 
 their a£tions, are the caufes to us of all events. This any 
 one may know from hence > for the fame things every where, 
 ;ind no ways differing, are ufeful to fome, and hurtful to * 
 others : but it is not confonant to reafon, that each thing 
 Ihould have a nature contrary to itfelf, and not be the fame j , 
 yet that nothing fhould happen of a like nature to thofe • 
 who act rightly and juftly, which happens to thofe who live 
 luftfully and fhamefully, will appear no myftery to thofe 
 who reafon juftly. The fame difcourfe would hold good 
 about concord ; for it is of a fimilar nature with other vir- 
 tues : but yet I affirm, that one fort of concord is the caufe 
 of many goods, but the other of many calamities -, and 
 
 U fuch 
 
290 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 fuch is that of the Spartans-: for the truth fhall be fpoken, 
 tho' I may feem to fome to fay what is incredible. They 
 taking it for an opportunity, that they underftood from tra- 
 vellers, how the Greeks were at variance amongft them- 
 felves, fo behaved, as if they thought that rapine was art, 
 and that what is the greatcft calamity to other cities, they 
 . believed moft beneficial to themfelves. By this means, it was 
 in their power to treat thofe cities which were fo aifii£bed, 
 as they pleafed. Therefore none can juftly praife them for 
 their concord any more than pyrates, and thofe who arc 
 occupied in other malevolent acStions and injuflices ; for 
 they, by agreement among themfelves, flay others. But 
 if I ihould feem to make a comparifon unworthy of their 
 glory, I will omit it; and fay then, that the Treballi,whom 
 all allow to agree better together than all other men, yet 
 flay not only their neighbours, and thofe who dwell near to 
 them, but all others which they can reach i whom certainly 
 it does not become thofe, who are lovers of virtue, to imi- 
 tate, but the beauty of wifdom, of juftice, and other virtues. 
 Yet thofe virtues benefit not their own natures, but render 
 thofe they come to, apd remain with, happy. But the La- 
 cedaemonians, on the contrary, ruin thofe they approach, 
 and claim the goods of others as their own lawful pof- 
 feffion. 
 
 When I had faid this, Ifilenced him I fpoke againff, 
 an able man, experienced in many things, and as well 
 verfed in the art of fpeaking as any of my difciples. But 
 all the youths that were with me, were not of the fame 
 fentiment as I ; yet they praifed me, as having difputed 
 more ardently than they had expedled, and contended 
 nobly ; but him they defpifed, not judging wifely, but mif- 
 taking about both : for he went away wifer, and with fuch 
 a humble mind, as becomes wife men, and experiencing- 
 fomething of a like nature with what is mentioned in the 
 Delphian oracle : he underftood himfelf, and the Lacede- 
 monians, better than before. But I was left fuccefsful 
 enough ia ^he difpute, yet left more foolifli on that account, 
 
 and 
 
 LI 
 
 fr 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 291 
 
 and bolder than becomes perfons of my age, full of juvenile 
 perturbation. It appeared I was fo afFeded ; for as foon as 
 I had leifure, I did not reft before I dilated to my boy that 
 oration which I had made a little before with fo much plea- 
 fure, tho* it was a little after like to give me trouble ; for 
 though I had written all things in it nobly and juftly, yet I 
 grieved, and was forry for what I faid of the Lacedaemo- 
 nians : for I did not feem to myfelf to have fpoken mode- 
 rately of them, nor as of others, but negligently, with too 
 much acrimony, and an entire inconfideration. Wherefore 
 often inclined to blot it out, or burn it, I changed my pur- 
 pofe, pitying my old age, and the labour I had employed 
 in its compofition. While I was in this trouble, and often 
 repented, I thought it moft prudent, after calling thofe of 
 my difciples who were in the city, to deliberate with them 
 whether this oration was to be fupprefled, or delivered to 
 thofe who would receive it ; and determined to do what 
 feemed proper to them. Refolving thus, I made no delay ; 
 but they were foon called together whom I mentioned. I 
 told them on what occafion they were met, and the oration 
 was read. It was praifed, received with applaufe, and ob- 
 tained all the ends which thofe do who fucceed in orations 
 of the declamatory kind. This being over, the others dif- 
 puted among themfelves about what had been read ; but he,- 
 whom I had firft confulted, him, I mean, who praifed the 
 Lacedaemonians, and with whom I had difputed more than 
 I ought; after he had ordered filence and looked at me, faid, 
 he doubled what he ftiould do at prefent ; that he would nei- 
 ther dift)elieve the things I had advanced, nor yet entirely 
 afTent to them. I wonder, fays he, if you were fo grieved 
 or forry, as you intimate, for thofe things which have been 
 fpoken of the Lacedaemonians (for I fee nothing of fuch a 
 nature as to deferve repentance), or whether you did not 
 defignedly call us together to confult about the oration, and 
 whom you well knew would praife whatever you fay or do. 
 Prudent perfons arc accuftomed to communicate thofe writ- 
 ings which they finifh with great labour, efpecially to thofe 
 
 U 2 who 
 
292 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 who are wifer than themfelvcs; at leaft, with thofe who will 
 give their opinion freely ; the contrary of which you have 
 done : neither of which reafons I approve of. But you 
 iJe^m to mc to have caufed this meeting of ours, and com- 
 pofed the panegyric of the city not in a fimple view, nor as 
 you have laid to us, but becaufe you had a mind to make 
 trial of us, whether we ferioufly apply ourfelves to our iiu- 
 dks, and remember thofe things we heard during our in- 
 jliri>6tion, and perceive the method and art of the oration. 
 You indeed feem prudently to praife your city, that you 
 may pleafe the multitude of citizens, and acquire glory a- 
 mongft tjiofe who are benevolent to us. When you had 
 determined upon this, you thought, if you made mention 
 of it alone, and fpoke of thofe fabulous things which all 
 mens mouths are full of, all that you faid would look like 
 what had been written by others ; for which you would 
 have been greatly afhamed and grieved : but that, if omit- 
 ting thefe things, you fhould recite thofe a<Slions which are 
 , flowed true by all, and have been the caufes of many goods 
 to the Grecians,, and compare them with thofe of the La- 
 cedaemonians, and extolled the a£tions of our anceftors? 
 but depreciated thofe done by them, your oration would 
 fcem more full of energy to the hearers, and you would 
 dwell on thofe topics, which fome would admire more than 
 other writings. You therefore feem to mc to have difpofed 
 things fo, and defigned them from the beginning; but 'be- 
 ing confcious that you have praifed tlie city of Sparta be- 
 yond any other men, you feem to have been appreheofive left 
 the hearers fhould think you like thofe who throw out all^ 
 that prefents itfelf to their imaginations ; and therefore now 
 difpraife thofe whom you had elevated more than others. 
 Intending this, you feem to me to have confidered, by 
 what method of defcribing them you might feem to fpeafe 
 truth of both, praife your anceftors as you pleafed, and' 
 feem to fuch as are ill-difpofed towards the Spartans, to ac- 
 cufe them, but, in fa£l, do no fuch thing, but write their 
 iddden encomium. When vou had this in view, vou feem 
 
 eafily 
 I 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. 
 
 29J 
 
 
 *ii 
 
 eafily to have found ambiguous words, and which are no 
 more adapted to thofe who piaife than thofe who difpraife, 
 but fuch as may be bent both ways, and have many doubt- 
 ful lights. To ufe which, for him who difputes about con- 
 tradls and properties, would be fhameful, and no fmall fign 
 of improbity j yet they fufficiently agree with a difcourfe 
 treating of the nature of men, noble actions, and learning ; 
 fuch as is that oration which has now been recited, wherein 
 you have reprefented your anceftors as pacific, and lovers of 
 Greece, and the chief authors of a juft admlniftratlon in re- 
 publics ; but have made the Spartans proud, martial, covet- 
 ing others properties, and fuch as all have thought them. 
 Each of them having fuch difpofitions, it is probable that 
 the firft will be praifed, and judged benevolent to the mul- 
 titude, and that many will envy and malign the others ; yet 
 that fome ftill will praife them, admire them, and dare to 
 fay, that they are endowed with greater goods than their 
 anceftors ; for they will alTert, that pride has an allied na« 
 ture to majefty, which is a laudable quality, and that per- 
 fons tlndured with it, feem to all more magnificent than 
 fuch as are authors of equality ; that warlike men are far 
 more excellent than fuch as are ftudious of peace : for thefc 
 can neither acquire what is not prefent, nor be ftout guar- 
 dians of their pofleiTions ; but that the others can do both, 
 feize what they defire, and preferve whatever they have 
 poflefled themfelves of: which they do who appear com- 
 pleat men. But they think, they have more plaufible words 
 to plead for the defire of new acquifitions ; for as for fuch 
 as defraud in contracts, deceive others, and impofe on them^ 
 they do not judge them juft, but avaritious ; and, by gaining 
 bad reputation, they are difappointed in all things. But 
 that the defire of more in the Spartans, kings, and tyrants, 
 is to be wlflied for, that all would do the fame, and none 
 reproach or execrate thofe who are endowed with fuch abi- 
 lities 5 nor is there any one of fo abje6t a mind, but he 
 prays to the gods, that he chiefly may acquire fuch a power, 
 or, if not, his nearcft relations. From whence it is clear, 
 
 U 3 thati 
 
294 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 that, to excel in this, we all think the greatcft good. Yoir 
 therefore feem to me to have made your oration with fuch 
 a defign. But if I thought you would fpare your words, 
 and lefmy difcourfe pafs without a reprehenfion, I would 
 Hop here. Now, I fuppofe, you are not follicitous that I 
 have not declared my opinion about what we were called 
 here to confult on j for when you called us, I could not 
 think you adled ferioufly in the affair ; but I judged you had 
 refolved to compofe an oration unlike your former, which, 
 to negligent readers, would appear plain and eafy, but to 
 thofe who diligently read it, and endeavoured to fee into 
 what had efcaped others, would appear difficult and fcarcely 
 to be underftood j full of many hiftories, and abounding in 
 all variety of erudition and polite fidion ; not fuch indeed as 
 would prejudice the citizens, but which would benefit the 
 hearers, and pleafe them with its urbanity : which you fhall 
 not fay I examine in that light you defigned I fhould ; yet 
 when I have (hewn the force of what is faid, I do not per- 
 ceive I fhall make the oration fo much more illuftrious, as 
 elucidate it, and make it more clear to the readers : for 
 while I give knowledge to the ignorant, I depreciate not 
 the oration, nor deprive thofe who labour and are induf- 
 trious, of the honour which might redound to them. I ac- 
 knowledge my prudence to be much inferior to yours ; but 
 tho' I know this, yet while your city deliberates about the 
 greateft affairs, fometimes the wifeft err in refpedt of public 
 good ; and of thofe who are efteemed mean and contemp- 
 tible, fome one has fometimes thought right, and feemed to 
 fpeak what was beft. Wherefore it is not to be wondered 
 at, if fomething of this nature has happened in regard of 
 this difcourfe, whereby you judge you will become moft 
 famous, if you argue as long as poffible ; in which difpo- 
 fition you compofed this oration. But I think you will 
 aa mofl wifely, if you make that intention, which you had 
 in thecompofition, evident to all others, and to the Lace- 
 daemonians; of whom you have fpoken much, fometimes 
 juftly and gravely, and fometimes in too reproachful a man- 
 
 ner. 
 
 V 
 
 . I 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 295 
 
 ncr, and liable to odium ; which had any one fhewed them, 
 before I had reafoned on the fubje6l, they muft have hated, 
 and been of an ill-difpofed mind to you, as againfl a per- 
 fon who had written an accufation againft them. But now 
 I judge the Spartans will continue in their antient cufiom, 
 and no more heed the orations fpoken here than what is fard 
 beyond the pillars of Hercules^ but as for the moft prudent 
 of them, who have fome of your orations, and admire them 
 if they get a reader, and have leifure, they will be igno- 
 1-ant of nothing that is faid j but will obferve the praifes 
 'which are int^rfperfed of their city, with the enumeration 
 of its adlions, and will contemn the reproaches^ which, in 
 Tegard of fad^, are fpoken rafhly, and expreiled with harfh- 
 nefs j and will think fome words in your difcourfe fuggefted 
 by envy ; but as for the adlions and battles, of which they 
 are both proud and rendered famous for, as for them, I 
 fay, that you wrote and collected them, that they might be 
 remembered by placing them one after another, and in a 
 parallel light. You they will think to be the caufe, why 
 many will be defirous of reading and perufingthemj not 
 that they defire to hear of their adlions, but that thojr 
 would know in what manner you have fpoken of them. 
 Thinking of thefe things, and refleding on them, they 
 will not forget thefe antient anions, for which you praifed 
 their anceftors, but will often make mention of them a- 
 mongft one another. How that firft, when they were Do- 
 rians, and faw their cities ignoble, little, and indigent of 
 many things, neglecting them, they made war againft the 
 chief cities of Peloponnefus, againft Argos, Lacedaemon, 
 and Meffena ; and, after they had conquered the inhabi-^ 
 tants in battle, and drove the conquered from their towns 
 and country, that they now hold all their poffeiTions ; a 
 greater and more noble exploit than which none can fhew 
 in thofe times, nor an adion more fuccefsful or pleafing to 
 the gods, than that which freed thofe who undertook it from 
 their own poverty, and made them lords of others felicity. 
 This they did jointly with all their allies j but, after 
 
 U 4 they 
 
296 The ORATIONS 
 
 they had parted the lands with the Argiv«s and Meflenlans, 
 and had feated themfelves apart in Sparta,' you fay they 
 were fo magnanimous at that time, that, when they were no 
 more than two thoufand, they thought they were unworthy 
 .of living, unlefs they became mafters of all the towns in 
 iPeloponnefus. When they had entertained this defign, and 
 undertook it, they did not lofe courage, tho' furrounded by 
 'many mlferiei and dangers, till they had fubjeded them all 
 to themfelves, except the city of Argos. Having now.ac- 
 cjuired a very fpacious region, the greateft power, and fuch 
 glory as muft attend thofe who have atchieved fuch noble 
 things, they gloried Ml no lefs in this, that they had thus 
 jplanitd themfelves alone of all the Greeks, and that thi§ 
 affertion was peculiar and honourable to them only ; for it 
 was lawful to them, they faid, to affirm, that, while they 
 _,wefe fo few, they never followed more populous cities, or 
 obeyed their commands, but were at their own difpofal 
 always; that they were made the leaders in the war againft 
 the Perfians, of all tl^e Greeks ; that .they attained this ho- 
 noui: not without reafon, but becaufe, tho' they had fought 
 more batt'cs than any men in thofe times, had never beea 
 conquered in any one when their king was general, but had 
 coipe off viiStorLous in all : a greater fign no one can give 
 of bravery, patience, an J concond among one another, thaij 
 tha^ which fhall now be mentioned : for tho' there be fueh 
 a number of Grecian cities, it is impoflible to find any one 
 -pf the ref^, which has not fallen into the calamities incident 
 ^to cit;es. ..But no ,pne can (hew, that, in the city of the 
 Spartans, unjuft flaughters have been made, or plundering 
 of money hap;'ened, or violation of wives and children, 
 ^ay,^ change of government, freeing from jufl debts, di- 
 vifio^ of land.., or any. other incurable evils : which wheri 
 ^hey r^fledl on, it cannot be but that they mufl remember 
 jou, who have colleded and difcourfed fo elegantly upon 
 ^hefe facts, and have a great gratitude for it. I have not 
 now the fame opinioj^i of you which I had before ; for, in 
 ^praier times, I admired your ingenuity, ^he order of' 
 
 
 
 ,»l- 
 ".*.. 
 
 ^ MM- 
 
 i 
 
 } 
 
 .:j 
 
 your 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S; 297 
 
 your life, and chiefly your induflry. Now, I emulate 
 your'forit«ne, and think it h^tppy ; for it feems to mc, that 
 you will enjoy, while hving, a glory not indeed greater 
 ^han you deferve (for that would be difficult) but almoft (oy 
 and be more iliuflrious than you are at prefent ; and when 
 you are dead, you will be a partaker of immortality, not 
 that of the gods, but fuch as propagates the memory of 
 thofe to pofterity, who haye excelled in any noble anions : 
 and this you will juftly obtain ; for you have praifed both 
 cities elegantly, as you ought; the one,' according to the 
 opinion of the vulgar, which none who were iliuflrious ever 
 defpifed, but, to attain its honours, would undergo' any 
 dangers ; and the other, according to the opinion of thofe 
 who endeavour, by conje^Stures, to come at the truth 5 to 
 be glorious amongft whom fome would rather chufe thaa 
 amongfi others, though they were twice as many as they 
 now are. Being fired at this time with incredible ardor, 
 and having many things to fay, both of you, the cities, and 
 your oration, I will, notwithflanding, omit thefe topics; 
 but I will declare my fentiment of what you aflembled us 
 lor, I will advife you neither to burn this oration, nor fup- 
 prefs it ; but if it has any imperfedion, correding it, and 
 inferting all our difTertations, to communicate it to all who 
 may be defirous of perufmg it ; if you would gratify the 
 befl of frhe Greeks, and fuch as are true philofophers, and 
 who do not pretend to be fo ; and would afFe61: thofe with 
 grief, who admire you more than others, but cavil at 
 your orations in afTemblies (in which afTemblies, though, 
 there are more who fleep than hear), and who think, 
 if they can deceive fuch perfons, their orations will be 
 equal to thofe written by you : not refleding, that they 
 are more inferior tg your orations, than thofe are to Ho« 
 mer's glory, who have attempted to write in the fame kind 
 of poetry. 
 
 When he had faid this, and afked thofe prefent to give 
 
 their opinion of what they were called about, they ufed no 
 
 ftoify applaufc, which happens often in hearing elegant dif- 
 
 % courfes ^ 
 
«fi The O R A T I O N S 
 
 CMtffcs; but they cried out, that he had harangued admi- 
 rably, and, (landing round him, praifed him, admired him, 
 mltfteeaied him happy; and had nothing to add, or take 
 horn his words, but declared themfelves of his fentiment, 
 mod pcrfuaded me to do as he had advifed me : nay, I my- 
 fdf was not fiJent, but praifed his ingenuity and ftudies. 
 Of the reft I faid nothing, whether he had hit on my de- 
 fign, «r had miflaken it ; but I fufFered him to think as he 
 VIS kidined. 
 
 Akd I think I have fpokcn fufficiently of what I pro- 
 poTcd ; for it is not proper to recapitulate the particulars of 
 liich cwrations : but I will mention what privately happened 
 ip me in this oration ; for I began to write it fo old as I have 
 already fpoke of; but having finifhed the half, a difeafe 
 kized me, not proper to mention, but which was capable 
 of deftroying not only old men in three or four days, but 
 thofe who are in vigour. With this I ftruggled three years, 
 while I pafTed each day fo laborioufly, that both they 
 who knew it, and they who heard it from others, more ad- 
 mired me for that patience, than for thofe things for which 
 I was praifed before. When I now defpaired on account 
 €f the diflemper, and my old age, fome of thofe who vi- 
 fitcd me, and had often read that part of the oration which 
 was written, begged of, and perfuaded me, that I would 
 not leave it half-finiihed and imperfe6l, but labour at it a* 
 while, and apply myfelf again to what remained. They 
 did not fpeak this in a flight perfundory manner, but fo as 
 they highly commended the writings, and faid thofe things, 
 which had any heard who were not intimate with us, or 
 moved by fome benevolence (it could not otherwife have 
 happened), but fuch would have thought they defigned to 
 impofe on me, and that I had loft my fenfes, and was a 
 mere fool, if I believed them. Being in this ftate, as fome 
 perhaps have faid of me, I obeyed them (why fhould I make 
 more words upon this fubjed ?), when I wanted but three 
 of being an hundred years old, and was fo indifpofed, that, 
 had another been in fuch a bad flate of health, he would have 
 
 been 
 
 smaa 
 
 \ 
 
 I S O C R A T E S. 299 
 
 been fo far from writing an oration, that, had another (hewn 
 him one he had written, he would not have read it. 
 
 But for what reafon have I mentioned this ? not jvfking 
 pardon for what I have faid ; nor do I think I >2*ive written 
 in fuch a manner : but becaufe I h^d a mind to fhew both 
 what had happened to me, and praife fuch of the hearers 
 who approved of this oration ; and I think thofe difcourfes> 
 which teach and demonftrate fome art, of more value and 
 erudition than thofe which are written for oftentation, or 
 difputes in the forum, and thofe which have in view truth, 
 better than fuch as endeavour to deceive the minds of the 
 hearers. Laftly, thofe which reprehend and admonifh the 
 culpable, of more worth than fuch as are fpoken to pleafe 
 and flatter the hearers. And I would advife thofe who think 
 the contrary, firft, not to truft to their own opinions, nor 
 judge thofe criticifms true, which are pafTed by indolent 
 perfons : in the fecond place, not rafhly to decide of what 
 they do not underftand, but fufpend their judgment, till they 
 can afTent to thofe who have a greater experience of fuch 
 things j if they do this, there is no one will think they adl 
 impertinently. 
 
 THE 
 
L 
 
 3»» J 
 
 r 
 
 THE THIRTEEN T!H 
 
 f\ 
 
 RATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft the SOPHISTS, 
 
r I 
 
 [ 303 1 
 
 TW/lSEfthin^ fnd teachers ^ eloquence ^^dhd 
 ^K yphthfo^y were at jir^ in Athens Cslkd 
 SophiftsB ; and this name^ in its genuine Jignifi^ 
 cation^ was very honourable^ as was that ofHy- 
 rannus, Jignifying formerly a king. Both lojl 
 their m^aming in. time^ and had a. quife differ^ent- 
 «(rf- * ^hus it happened^ thatftkbas ^^tiere fuU of^ 
 arrogance J and pretenjion only to Jcience^ were 
 called fophijls ; men wha made ajhew and boaji-- 
 ing ofjcience a trade. Ifocrates inveighs againji 
 Juchy as grofsly deceiving themf elves, and others^ 
 and 'irringing true phihfi^phy e^ eldqneffC^ inio 
 cdium and contempt. There is a fine pa [J age of 
 the force of genius^ atid benefit of education. 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 wj 
 
 .-^i 
 
 
 
 
 ■V- 
 
 
 
 THE THIRTEENTH 
 
 Oration of Iso crates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft the SOPHISTS. 
 
 IF all thofe who undertake inftru£lion, would fpeak the 
 truth, nor make greater promifes than they can per- 
 form, they would not be accufed by the JlHterafe, 
 Now, thofe who inconfiderately have dared to boaft, have 
 been the caufe that thofe men feem to have rcafoned better, 
 who indulge their indolence, than fuch as ftudy philofophy : 
 for,firft,who would not deteft and defpife thofe who pafs their 
 time in fophiftic chicanery ? who pretend indeed, that they 
 feek truth, but, from the beginning of their promifes, la- 
 bour to fpeak falfities 5 for I think it manifeft to all, that the 
 faculty of foreknowing future things is above our nature : 
 nay, we are fo far from fuch prudence, that Homer, who, 
 for his wifdom, has acquired the higheft fame, has fomc- 
 times introduced gods in his poem, confulting about futu- 
 rity ; not that he knew the nature of their minds, but that 
 he would {hew to us, that this was one of thofe things 
 which are impoflible for man. Thefe men are arrived at 
 that pitch of infolence, that they endeavour to perfuadethc 
 younger, that, if they will be their difciples, they fhall know 
 what is beft to be done, and thereby be made happy ; and, 
 after they have erected themfelves into teachers of fuch fub- 
 
 lime things, they are not alhamed to alk of them four or five 
 
 mina^s ; 
 
 r 
 
 ill 
 
 V 
 
304 The O R A T 1 N g 
 
 minaes ; tho*, did they fell any other po/Teflion for mucfe 
 lefs than its value,' they would not hefitate to grant them- 
 felves mad. fiut now expofing to fale all virtue and hap-" 
 pinefs (if we will believe them), they dare argue, that, 
 as being wife men, they ought to be the preceptors of 
 others j yet they fay indeed, that they are not indigent 
 of money, while, to diminifh its idea, they call it pitiful 
 gold and filver ; tho' they require a trifling gain, and only 
 promife to make thofe next to immoftal,who will commence 
 their difciples. But what is the abfurdcft of all, is, that 
 they are diffident of thofe very perfons from whom they are 
 to receive their reward, though they themfelvcs are to teach 
 themjuftice; for they make an agreement, that the money 
 fhaH be depofited with thofe whom they never taught. Do- 
 ing right in regard of their own fecurity, but adding con- 
 trary to their own promifes :. for it becomes thofe who teacb 
 any other thing, by a cautious bargain to avoid controverfy 
 (for nothing impedes, but that thofe who are ingenious in 
 other refpedls, may not be honeft in regard of contradts) ; 
 yet how can it be but abfurd, that they, who pretend to 
 teach virtue and temperance as an art, (hould not chiefly 
 truft to their own difciples ; for they who are juft towards 
 other men, will certainly not trefpafs againfi: thofe, by whom 
 they were made both good and equitable. 
 
 When therefore fome of the unlearned^ confiJerine all 
 thefe things, fee thofe who profcfs teaching;, wifdom and hap» 
 pinefs, indigent themfelves of many things, requiring a 
 imairTum of their fcholars, and obferving contradidions in 
 fUly fentences, though they fee them not in anions ; pro--, 
 feffing likewife, that they know futurity, yet not capable 
 of fpeaking or deliberating properly of things prefent; 
 and that thofe are more confiftent with themfelves, and 
 do more things right who follow common opinions, than 
 thofe who fay they are pofFefled of wifdom : w-hcn they fee 
 this, I fay, they think fuch difputations mere trifles, a lof», 
 of time in idle things, and not a real improvefnent of th6 
 human mind. 
 
 m 
 
 If- 
 
 
 
 of I S OCR A T E S. 30^ 
 
 Nor is it juft to blame thefe men only, but thofe like- /^ 
 wife who profefs to teach civil fciencg to the citizens; for ^-^ 
 they alfo difregard truth; and think it artful, if they draw 
 as many as pofTible, by the fmallnefs of the recompence, 
 and the greatnefs of their promifes, and fo receive fome* 
 thing of them: and they are foftupid, and imagine others 
 fo, that tho' they write orations more inaccurate than fome 
 who are unlearned fpeak extempore, yet they promife they 
 ^ will make their difciples fuch orators, that they {hall omit 
 nothing in the nature of things ; nay, that they will teach 
 them eloquence, like grammar ; not confidering the nature 
 of each, but thinking, that, on account of the excellence 
 of their promifes, they will be admired, and the ftudy of 
 eloquence feem of higher value ; not knowing, that arts 
 render not thofe famous who infolently boaft of them, but 
 thofe who can find out and exprefs whatever is in them. 
 But I would purchafe willingly, at a great price, that phi- — 
 lofophy could efFedl this ; perhaps then, I fhould not be 
 left the fartheft behind, nor have the leaft fhare of its be- 
 nefits : but as the nature of the thing is not fo, I would 
 have thefe triflers to be filent ; for I fee reflexions not only 
 caft upon the faculty, but that all are accufed who arecon- 
 verfant in the fame ftudies. I wonder when I *^fee thofe t 
 thq^ight worthy of having fcholars, who perceive not they 
 produce a fixed art, and bound down by rules, for example,- 
 of that which depends chiefly on genius. Is there anyone, 
 excepting them, who is ignorant, that, as for letters andc^ 
 grammar, they are unchangeable, and the fame, and that we 
 always ufe the fame words about thofe things ; but that the 
 nature of eloquence is quite the contrary : for what has been 
 faid by another is not equally ufeful to him who fpeaks af- 
 ter; /but he is the moft excellent in this art, who fpeaks 
 worthily indeed of his fubjedl, but alfo thofe things which 
 never were invented by others.^ The greateft diffe- 
 rence betwixt thefe arts is this : it is impoffible oration? 
 fhould be good, unlefs there be in them an obfervation of 
 ^timc^and^ 4^corum 3 but there is no need of this in letters. 
 
 X Where- 
 
3o6 
 
 r 
 
 \y- 
 
 t 
 
 H 
 
 J 
 
 ( 
 
 The ORATIONS 
 
 Wherefore thofe who ufe fuch foreign examples, ought ra- 
 ther to pay than receive money, becaufe, wanting much in- 
 flruction themfelves, they pretend to teach others. But if 
 I ought not only to accufc others, but explain my own fen-r 
 timents, all wife men, I believe, will agree with me, that 
 many, ftudious of philofophy, have led ? private life ; but 
 that fomc others, tho' they never were the fcholars of fo- 
 phifts, were (killed both in eloquence and governing the 
 ilate ;/for the faculty of eloquence, and all other ingenui- 
 ty, is ix.nate in men, and is the portion of fuch as are exr 
 ercifed by ufe and e xperie nce ; tho' inftru^ion renders fuch 
 more knowing in art, and better qualified for life: fQr 
 learning has taught them to draw, as it were, from a 
 ftore, what elfe perhaps they would but cafually light on.^ 
 But as for thofe who are of a weaker genius, it will never 
 i:ender them adroit pleaders, or good orators ; but it will 
 make them excel themfelves, and become more prudent 
 in many things. Since I am advanced fo far, I will fpeak 
 more clearly of this topic: I fay then, it is no difficult mat- 
 ter to learn thofe ioxsis^QL orders o f thing s, by which we 
 know how to compofe orations, if any one puts himfelf un- 
 der the care not of fuch as eafily vaunt themfelves, but fuch 
 as have the real fcience : but, in regard of what relates to 
 particular things, which we mud lirft fee, and mix toge- 
 ther, and difpofe in order, and, befides, fiot lofe opportu- 
 nities, but vary the whole difcouffe with arguments, and 
 ponclude it in a harmonious and mufical manner : thefe 
 things, I fay, require great care, and axe the province of a 
 manly and wife 'mind 3 and the fcholar muft, befides his 
 having necellary ingenuity, perfeaiy inflrud himfelf in the 
 different kinds of orations, and be exercifcd in the prac- 
 tice : but it becomes the mailer to explain all thefe as accu- 
 l-ately as polTible, fo as to omit nothing which may be 
 taught. As for the reft, Ihew himfelf fuch an example, that 
 they who can imitate and cxprefs it, may be able to fpeak 
 in a more beautiful and elegant manner than others. In 
 whatever regard any thing of what I have mentioned is 
 
 wanting. 
 
 "■^i 
 '^>i 
 
 
 ■-^i 
 
 •1 
 
 ■) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f^ 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 •m 
 
 ■•!! 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 307 
 
 wanting, it muft follow, that his difciples will be lefs per- 
 
 And for thofe fophifls who have lately fprung up, and 
 fallen into this arrogance, tho* numerous now, they will be 
 forced at lafl to conform to my rules. Now, there remain 
 thofe who were born before us, and have dared to write of 
 ^rtsj^notto be difmifTed without juft reprch'enfion ; who 
 have profefied, that they would teach how we fhould plead 
 ,under an accufation, chufmg out the moft odious exprdfion 
 of all, which their enviers ought to have done, and not they 
 who prefide over this iriftitution ; fmce this, as far as it can 
 be taught, c^n conduce no more to the compofing of law- 
 orations than all others : 'yet the fophifls are worfe than 
 thofe who grbvel amidft contentions, becaufe, while they re- 
 cite fuch miferable orations, as did any one imitate, hemuft 
 become unfit for all things, yet affirm, that virtue and tempe- 
 rance are taught in them ; but the latter, exhorting to popu- 
 lar orations, and negle6ling the other advantages they were 
 pofTefTed of, have fufFered themfelves to be efteemed teach- ^ 
 ers of buftling in bufmefs, and of gratifying avarice ; yet 
 they will fooner aififl thofe who will obey the precepts of 
 this learning, in the habit of equity than eloquence.^ But 
 let no one think, that I imagine juftice can b e taught ; for 
 I do not think there is any fuch art which can teach thofe 
 who are not difpofed by nature, either temperance or juftice j 
 ^tho* j_thijikLth e^ ftudy of popular eloquenc e heIps_ bQth tp 
 acquire and pr^6l ife it. But that I may not feem toaccufc 
 othermens promTTes, and magnify things more than I ought, 
 I judge I fhall eafdy manifeft to any one by the fame argu- 
 ments with which I have perfuaded myfelf that thefe things 
 are fo. 
 
 Xa 
 
 THE 
 
 ci) 
 
 tF- 
 
 :^^ 
 
 j^^ 
 
"St.--. 
 
 
 :«i- 
 
 h-i' 
 
 THE FOURTEElJTH 
 
 RA 
 
 1 • yj 
 
 N 
 
 I 
 
 i. ' 
 
 I 
 
 OP 
 
 ISOCRATES 
 
 FOR fHE 
 
 CITY of PLATiEA 
 
 i 
 
 X3 
 
1 3^ i 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 / * 
 
 T)LATjEA was a city of Bceotia, memorable 
 for the defeat of Mardonius, and the de- 
 firtiSiion of the P erf arts ^ which was always more 
 inclined to the Atheriians than to the Thebans. 
 The Platceansy in the time of a general peace ^ 
 having had their city ruined by the Thebans, be- 
 caufe they would not contribute to their public ex- 
 pence s, defire of the Athenians to be reflored. It 
 is probable it was fpoken in a council of the al- 
 lies ^ and difputes about law^ and is of an ani- 
 matedy vehement character. The Platceans do 
 not only contend^ that an injury Ims been done 
 them^ but they prove their confant benevolence to 
 the Athenians y and exclaim againf the treachery 
 of the Thebans. In the conclufon^ there is apro^ 
 lix enumeration of their calamities. 
 
 |S"^i- 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates: 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 CITY of PLAT^A* 
 
 ir TT- NOWING you, O Athenians! tobeaccuftomed 
 1^ willingly to affilt the injured, and (hew your gra- 
 M^^ titude to benera6lors, we are come to intreat you 
 not to fuffer us, in t'me of peace, to be deftroyed by the 
 Thebans. Since many have fled to you, and obtained all 
 they defired, we think it particularly concerns you to have 
 a great care of our city ; for you will find none to have 
 fallen more unjuflly than us into calamities, nor longer to 
 have behaved with fidelity towards your city. And, be- 
 fides, to intreat you about fuch things, in which there is no 
 <!anger, but for which all men, if you liften to us, will e- 
 Heem you the moft religious and jufl of all the Greeks. 
 Now,did we fee the Thebans alone ready toperfuade you, 
 that they have not trefpafled againft us, We fhould finifh our 
 oration in few words ; but fince we are come to this point 
 of mifery, that we have not a contention with them, but 
 with the moft excellent orators, whom they have got for 
 their patrons with our fubftance, there is a neceflity that 
 we fhould protra£l our oration. 
 
 And it is difficult not to fall (hort of what we fufFered. 
 What eloquence can equal our calamities ? or what oration 
 
 X 4 is 
 
312 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 is fufficient to accufe the Thebans for what they have per- 
 petrated againft us ? But yet v/e ought to endeavour, in the 
 beft manner we can, to render their iniquity manifeft. We 
 are particularly filled with indignation on this account, that 
 we are fo far from being judged worthy of equal law with 
 the reft of the Grecians, that tho' there be peace and a mu- 
 tual covenant, we not only are not partakers of common 
 liberty, but are thought undeferving of moderate fervitude. 
 We therefore defire of you, O Athenians ! to hear us be- 
 nevolently ; refleding, that what ismoft unreafonablemuft 
 happen to us, if you have been the authors of liberty to the 
 Thebans, who always had a mind averfe to your republic; 
 and yet we, who are your fupplicants, cannot obtain what 
 thofe have who were your greateft enemies. 
 
 And I do not fee why I need to fpeak more of what has 
 been done. Is any one ignorant, that they have divided our 
 lands, and deftroyed our city ? In refpe^t of what they mar 
 deceive you in by eloquence, we will endeavour to inform 
 you. They dare to fay, that they have treated us in this 
 manner, becaufe we would not contribute to their ceremo- 
 nial expences. In the flrft place, you ought to confidcr 
 whether it be juft, for fo fmall faults, to exad fuch cruel 
 punifhments ; then, whether you think, that the Plat^ans 
 fhould not, by perfuafion, and not by force, contribute in 
 this manner. I cannot conceive an idea of any more au- 
 dacious than fuch as overthrow cities, and will force thofe 
 who have no need of It, to be partakers of their city's^ 
 rituals. And, befides, they do not feem to have a6led to^ 
 wards us as they have done towards others. It became 
 them, when they could not nerfuade our city, to have obliged 
 us, as the Thcfpians and Tanagraci, only to contribute 
 to their facrifices ; and, by this means, nothing irremedi- 
 able would have been our portion. But it is now evident, 
 they did not dcfign this, but were covetous of our country. 
 I wonder, in view of what paft adions, or how, if they re- 
 gard what is juft, they can pretend to command us fuch 
 things. If they look into their country's cuiloms, they 
 
 wiii 
 
 ) 
 
 ""fits.' 
 
 <" ■"V'!:'-. 
 
 *"■» "v'Kr ' '♦ 
 
 ■-"M 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 31J 
 
 Will find they ought not to command others, but rather pay 
 tribute to the Orchomenians ; for this was formerly their 
 condition : but they would have treaties to be facred, which 
 they certainly ought. How can they then pretend they do 
 not a6t unjuftly ? for thefe treaties order, that both great 
 and fmall cities fhould live by their own lavTs. 
 
 I JUDGE they will not dare to ad impudently in this re- 
 gard ; but will turn themfelves to that fubterfuge, how wc 
 fought along with the Lacedaemonians ; and that, by deftroy- 
 ing us, they have done good to the whole alliance. I think, 
 that no caufe or accufation fhould have more validity than 
 oaths and covenants : but if it is proper any fhould fufFer 
 calamities for their fociety with the Lacedaemonians, the 
 Plataeans are not juftly chofen out of all the Grecians ; for 
 we did not by choice, but force, ferve them. Can any one 
 believe we were arrived at fuch a pitch of frenzy, that we 
 would efteem them more, who had reduced our city to a 
 ilatc of flavery, than thofe who had made us hce of theirs. 
 But I judge it would have been a difficult matter to have 
 attempted novelties, when we had fo fmall a city, and they 
 fo great a power ; efpecially when a prefident was confti- 
 tuted, a garifon was within, and the Thefpians had fuch 
 forces y bjr^whom we fhould as eafily have been ruined as 
 the Thebans, and more juftly : for it did not become thefe, 
 while there was peace, to remember offences given then; 
 but they having been deferted in war, would have juftly ex- 
 acted the greateft punifiiments from us. I judge Jikewife, 
 you are not ignorant, that many other Greeks were forced 
 to follow them with their bodies, but were with you by be- 
 nevolence : and of what difpofition do you judge they will 
 be, if they hear, that the Thebans have perfuaded the Athe- 
 nians, that none ought to be fpared who have been (uhjeck 
 to the Lacedaemonians; for their oration can tend to no- 
 thing but to prove this : for have they not deftroyed our 
 city, under pretence of a new crime ; but fuch a one as 
 may bealledged to them? Concerning whom you ought to 
 confider and reflea, left the infolcnce of thefe men fhould 
 
 reconcile 
 
314 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 reconcile thofe who hated the empire of the Lacednemoni- 
 ans, and make them believe, that their only fafety confilb 
 in their alliance. Refledl alfo, that you undertook the laft 
 war, not for your own or allies liberty (for you all enjoyed 
 this) but upon account of them, who, contrary to oaths, 
 bad been deprived of it. Now, this would be moft crueU 
 jf you fuffered that thofe very cities, which you thought it 
 tinjuft fhould ferve the Lacedaemonians, (hou Id be dcftroyed 
 by the Thebans j who are fo far from imitating your cle- 
 mency, that it would be better to fufFcr what is thought 
 moft calamitous^ to be taken by war, was it by your city, 
 than to be neighbours to them ; for they indeed, who were 
 taken by you by force, immediately being freed by thepre- 
 fident from fervitude, are now partakers of their counfel, 
 laws, and liberty : but as for thofe who inhabit near them, 
 fome of them have no lefs hard a fervitude than bought 
 'Haves, and they will not defift to ill-treat the others, till 
 they have reduced them to our condition ; yet they accufe 
 the Lacedaemonians, that they feized the Cadmca, and put 
 garifons in towns; but they, tho' they do not put garifons 
 in towns, overthrow the walls of fome, entirely deftroy 
 others, and yet fay, they commit no injuftice : nay, they 
 are advanced to that pitch of impudence and injuftice, that 
 they imagine all the allies fliould take care of their fafety, 
 but that they themfelves ftiould be the arbiters of others 
 flavery. Now, who would not deteft their ambition, who 
 endeavour to lord it over the weaker, and think it juft they 
 fliould be equalled with the more powerful. They envy 
 that land given by the Oropians to your city, and they di- 
 vide by violence that of others; and they aflert, what is be- 
 yond all their other improbity, that they have done this for 
 the common good of the allies. 
 
 But it would be equitable, fmce there is a council here, 
 and vour city can deliberate more prudently than that of 
 the Thebans', that they ftiould have come hither not to ex- 
 cufe their anions, but to have deliberated with you before 
 they had perpetrated any thing of this nature. Now, after 
 
 they 
 
 ^.-: 
 
 > 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 315 
 
 they hp.ve plundered us, they come to make all the allies 
 partakers of the crime ; which, if wife, you will avoid : for 
 it is more reputable to force them to imitate your religion, 
 than to let yourfelves be forced to be acceftbry to their 
 crimes ; for I think it clear to all, that it becomes wife men 
 to conftder in war by what means they may be fuperior to 
 their enemies ; but, when peace is made, to efteem nothing 
 more than oaths and treaties. They, at that time, in aU 
 their embailies, pleaded for liberty and their laws ; but fmce 
 they have an impunity of doing whatever they pleafe, ne- 
 gledling all other things, they dare to plead for their own 
 gain, and their own injuftice; and they fay, that it is ufe- 
 ful to the allies, that the Thebans ftiould have feized on our 
 fortunes : little refledinc;, that nothino; ever l^enefited thofe 
 who acquired it by injuftice; but that many, who defired 
 others properties unjuftly, have fallen into the greateft dan- 
 gers of loftng their own pofleftions. 
 
 But they cannot fay, that they have been faiehful to 
 their own ftde ; and that there is apprehenfion, left, if we 
 ftiould recover our own country, we ftiould defert to the 
 Lacedaemonians. You will find us to have been ruined for 
 the fake of your friendftiip ; but that they often trcfpafted 
 againft your city ; and to mention their antient treacheries, 
 would be too long and tedious. When the Corinthian war 
 had been raifed on account of their injuftice, and the Lace- 
 daemonians had marched an army againft them, and thev 
 were faved by you, they not only were ungrateful for fuch 
 benefits, but, after you had finiftied the war, deferting you, 
 they fought the confederacy of the Lacedaemonians : yet the 
 Chiaiis, Mitylenaeans, and Byzantians, continued in their 
 fidelity ; but they having fuch a city, would not even re- 
 main neuter, but were guilty of that degree of cowardice, 
 of improbity and madnefs, that they promifed, by an oath, 
 they would follow the Lacedaemonians againft you,who had 
 faved their city. For which a(?tions fuffering punifliment 
 from the gods, the Cadmean caftle being feized, they were 
 forced to fly hither; after which they moft particularly 
 
 ftiewed 
 
3i6 The ORATIONS 
 
 Ihcwed their perfidy : for again faved by your means, and 
 reftored to their country, they continued not the (horteft 
 time faithful, but inunediately fent embafiadors to Lacedae- 
 mon, (hewing they were ready to ferve, and change nothing 
 of what they had promifed. And need I ufe a long ora- 
 tion ? for unlefs the Lacedaemonians had ordered them ta 
 receive again the banifhed, and expel the defperatc, nothing 
 would have prevented them from joining an army againft 
 you their benefadlors, made of the very perfons who had 
 injured them. And yet thefe very men, who were lately fuch 
 toward this city, and formerly the betrayers of all Greece, 
 thefe have been judged worthy of obtaining pardon for f3 
 great and voluntary crimes ; and yet they think it is not 
 equitable we fhould obtain pardon for what we were forced 
 to do : and though they are Thebans, yet dare to objedl to 
 others a friendfhip for the Spartans, whom we all know to 
 have been the longeft flaves to them, and to have more vi- 
 goroully carried on war for their dominion than their own 
 liifety. For what invafion were they abfent from, which 
 was made into this territory ? or to whom were they more 
 enemies, or hoftilely difpofed than to you ? Were they not 
 in the Decelic war authors of more evils than all others who 
 invaded your territory ? Did not they of all the allies, 
 when you had bad fuccefs, did they not decree by their 
 voices, that your city fhould be reduced to flavery, and the 
 country be divided into convenient paftures, as the Crifaean 
 field ? Wherefore, had the Lacedaemonians had the fame 
 fentiment as they, nothing could have hindered, but that 
 you, who had been authors of fafety to all Greece, muft 
 have been condemned to fervitude by thofe very Greeks, 
 and fallen into the greateft calamities. What benefadlion 
 can they pretend, in apology, of fuch a nature as to extin- 
 guiih that enmity, which muft neccfiarily be in your minds 
 for thefe caufes ? 
 
 Therefore, thofe who have done fuch things, havo 
 no cxcufe. This apology alone is left for fuch as will pa- 
 tronize them, that Boeotia now fights for your country j 
 
 and 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 317 
 
 and if you difiblve the friendfhip which fubfifts betwixt 
 you, you will prejudice the intereft of the allies ; for there 
 will be a great change of ballance, if this city join itfelf 
 with the Laccdsemonians. But I neither think it beneficial 
 for the allies, that the weaker fhould ferve the ftronger (nor 
 in former time did we carry on wars for any other reafons 
 but this) nor do I think the Thebans will be fo mad, as de- 
 ferting your fociety, furrender their city to the Lacedaemo- 
 nians. I think not fo, becaufe I truft their tempers, but 
 that I know one of thefe two is necefTary, that they either 
 muft be flain in their city, and fufter what they have made 
 others, or, betaking themfelves to flight, be in want, and 
 be deprived of all hopes : for are they, or can they be in 
 concord with their citizens ? fome of which being killed^ 
 and others baniftied, they have rifled their fubftance : or, 
 are they in amity with the other Boeotians ? whom they not 
 only endeavour to command unjuftly, but have deftroyed 
 fome, and plundered the lands of others. Nay, they can- 
 not return to your city, which they have fo egregioufly be- 
 trayed fo many times. Wherefore it can never happen, 
 that they will become your enemies rafhly for the fake of 
 others, and indubitably lofe their own city; but, in all their 
 adlions, they will behave themfelves more moderately, and 
 will more diligently pay you refpecSl, in proportion as they 
 are fearful for themfelves. They have given you a proof 
 in their behaviour at Oropum, how you ought to treat fuch 
 tempers. While they thought they had the power of do- 
 ing whatever they pleafed, they did not behave towards you 
 as allies, but trefpafs as againft declared enemies. When 
 you had decreed, that, on account of thefe infults, they 
 fhould be excluded from the treaties, they came to you, with 
 fuch abjed minds, that they behaved themfelves more hum- 
 bly than we do in our prefent condition. Wherefore, if 
 any of the orators fhould deter you, faying, there is dan - 
 ger, left, changing, they fhould join with the Lacedaemo- 
 nians, you ought not to believe them : for they are under 
 fuch neceifities, they would fooner fufFer your government 
 
 than 
 
3i8 The O R AT I O N S^ 
 
 than have the alliance of the Lacedaemonians : but fhoulcj 
 they do quite the contrary, yet ftill I do not think it bc-r 
 comes you to have more value for the Thebans, than your 
 oaths and covenants ; reflecting firfl:, that it is your cuflom 
 not to fear danger, but infamy and difgrace ; and then, that 
 it uiually happens, that fuch conquer nqt m w^ar, wno over-: 
 "thj'ow cities by vioTenceJbut tlidre who epverh Greece In a 
 jl3oreri!jement and religious manner* And any one may 
 prove tKTs by many examples. As for what has happened 
 in our times, does any one not know, that the Lacedxr 
 monians diflblved your power, which feemed invincible, 
 when at £ri\ they were but weakly prepared for a fea- fight? 
 And by what opinion did they draw over the Greeks ? 
 A^ain, who does not know, that you, in turn, fnatched the 
 power out of their hands, marching fiorn an unfortified and 
 weak city, but having juftice, as it were, for your ally? 
 That the Perfian king was not author of thcfe changes, the 
 latter times have declared -, for when Xerxes had enough to 
 t!o, and your republic was defer ted, when almoft all the ci- 
 ties fervcd the Lacedaemonians, you were yet fo fuperipr to 
 them in war, that they willingly law a conclufion of peace. 
 Let none of you then be afraid, when you fight upon the 
 iide of juiHce ; nor think he will want allies, if he aflifts. 
 the injured, and not the Thebans only ; whom if you op- 
 pofe, you will caufe many to defire your friendfhip ; for if 
 youlhew yourfclves equally ready to make w^ar againft all 
 for the defence of the treaties, who will be fo fenfelefs, as 
 to join rather with thofe who have opprefTed Greece by fla-. 
 very, than with you who fight for liberty ? But fliould 
 you not be of this mind, with what arguments, fhould a war 
 again happen, would you perfuade the Greeks, if, while 
 you pretend liberty, you fuffer any cities to be laid walle by 
 the Thebans ? How can you avoid contradi6ling your- 
 fclves, if you do not refift the Thebans in violating their 
 leagues, '^nd declare you make war with the Lacedaemo- 
 uians on thl^ account ? and if you have receded from large 
 pofl'diions, -o mak^ the alliance as great as pofTible, yet 
 
 fuffer 
 
 I 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 319 
 
 fufFer thefe to enjoy what belongs to others, and do al* 
 thofe things, for which all will think you the meaner. But 
 this would be the abfurdcft of all, if you fhould judge it pro- 
 per to be auxiliaries to thofe who have always been moft 
 friendly to the Lacedaemonians, if thefe command them to 
 do any thing contrary to the covenants ; and fuffer us, who 
 have perfevefed your friends for the longeft fpace of time, 
 pnly for being forced in the laft war to obey the Lacedae- 
 monians, to be exterminated from amongft men. Who 
 can be found more miferable than we, who were deprived In 
 one day of our city, our lands and fubftance, equally dcfti- 
 tute of all neceffary things ; who are become wanderers, 
 not knowing whither to turn ourfelves ? Driven from our 
 country, filled with defpair, and like vagabonds who wan- 
 der over Greece, and fee all habitations with uneafinefs : if 
 we find others miferable, we grieve to find ourfelves, be- 
 fides our other calamities, affociated with them in mifery j 
 or, if we approach the profperous, we grieve the more, not 
 becaufe we envy their happinefs, ' but becaufe we fee more 
 clearly our own mifery in the light of our neighbours feli- 
 city. For which reafons, we pafs no day without tears, but 
 continue to lament our country, and this change which has 
 been made in it. What, can you think, muff be the fitu- - 
 ation of our minds, when wx fee our parents nouriflied in" 
 an unworthy manner in their old age, and our children not 
 educated with the fame hopes that they were begotten; but 
 many of them ferving for petty falaries, others employed 
 in low offices, and others getting their daily livelihood ia 
 the beft manner they can ; which is unworthy of the acti- 
 ons of our anceftors, and of our own magnanimity. But 
 this is the moft cruel of all ; to fee not only citizens fe- 
 parated from citizens, but wives from hufbands, children 
 from parents, and all relationfhip diffolved ; which has hap- 
 pened to many of our citizens on account of poverty : for 
 f:ommon fuftenance being wanting, makes every one look 
 to private hope. I cannot fuppofe you ignorant of the 
 gther difgraces which attend poverty and banifhment; 
 
 which 
 

 The ORATIONS 
 
 which we bear with more difficulty than our other dii^ 
 trefles, but omit to exprcfs them, becaufe we are alhamcd 
 to look into our calamities. 
 
 Which you perceiving, we implore you to have fome 
 Compaflion on us j for we are not aliens to you, but all 
 related by benevolence, and moft by affinity : for, by the 
 pcrmiffion of mutual marriages, we were born of women 
 who were your citizens. Wherefore you ought not to 
 flight the petition we come to make ; for certainly it would 
 be inexprefTibly cruel, if you made us formerly free of your 
 city, and now judge us unworthy of being reflored to our 
 own. Befides, it is not equitable to pity particulars, who 
 fuffer injuftice, and not allow a fmall portion of pity to a 
 whole city unjuftly ruined 3 efpecially that which flies to 
 you for refuge, to whom it was formerly no difgrace, but 
 glory, to have pity on fupplicants : for when the Argivcs 
 came to your forefathers, and prayed, that they might carry 
 ofFthofe who had fallen under theCadmaea, your fathers 
 being perfuaded by them, forced the Thebans to more equi- 
 table counfels, and were thereby not only famous in thofc 
 times, but left immortal glory for their pofterity to all fu- 
 turity ; of which it does not become you to be the betray- 
 ers : for it would be a fhame for you to glory in the adlions 
 «^f your fathers, and openly a£l the contrary to them in re- 
 gard of fupplicants. But we arc come hither to plead for 
 things more equitable, and of far greater moment. They 
 made fupplication to you, after they had led an army upon 
 others territories j but we, after ha\ ing loit our own coun- 
 try : and they implored you to fuccour them in burying the 
 dead ; but we, to fave the remainder of our unhappy citi- 
 zens. Now, the calamity is not equal or alike, for the 
 dead to be denied burial, and the living to be deprived of 
 their country, and all their fortunes ; for the firft is more 
 difgraceful to thofe who forbid it, than to thofe who fufFeip 
 the inhumanity : but to have no refuge, but to be deprived 
 of our city, to be afflicted every day, and be forced to ne- 
 gleft our fellow-citizens, v/hcn we cannot aifift them ; I 
 
 .fav. 
 
 1; 
 
 of I S O C Pv A T E S. 321 
 
 fay, to fufFer this, why needj enumerate how far fuch a ^i^^"^ 
 J^ L calamity exceeds all others. . Wherefore, we implore, we ^ 
 humbly beg of you all, to reftore us to our country ar.d 
 city, by admoniihing your old men to confidcr men of their 
 years miferable, and deftitute of necefTary daily food ; by 
 entreating of, and praying your young men, that they will 
 allift their equals, nor let them fufFer more than has even 
 been already mentioned. You owe, as it were, to us a- 
 lone of all the Greeks, this chiefly, to afford us fuccour; 
 for it is faid, our anceftors, when your forefathers had 
 abandoned this country in the Perfian war, were the only 
 perfons of all who inhabited out of the Peloponnefus^ who 
 were partakers with them of the dangers, and, together with 
 them, faved this city. Wherefore we ihall juftly receive 
 again the benefit which we firll conferred on you. 
 
 But fhould you have decreed not to regard our perfons, 
 yet it does not become you to let our country be defolated, 
 i^ which are left the greateft monuments both of your va- 
 lour, and of others who fought with you : for other tro- 
 phies have been ereded by one city over another ; but thefe 
 were built for the conqueit of all Greece over the colleded 
 powers of Afia, which the Thebans will juflly deilroy ; for 
 thefe monumentb are their difgrace, and which, for that 
 reafon, you ought to prelerve : for you were made, on 
 their account, leaders of Greece. You mufti ike wile make" 
 account ot your anceilors, nor deiiy them the piety due to 
 their merits j thinking what lentiment they would have 
 (it there be any fecic leit m the internal regions of what is 
 done nere) mould they know, that, after you were confti- 
 tuted arbittib, thole who refufed net to {&x\^ the Barba- 
 rians, are become the mailers of other Greeks \ and that 
 we, wiio fought along with you, are the only Greeks who 
 are defolated j and that the monuments of fuch as faced 
 thofe dangers, have not their annual funereal rites, for the 
 want of perfons to perform them. Remember, that you 
 particularly accufed the Lacedsemonians for this, that, gra- 
 tifying the Thebans, who were the betrayers of Greece, 
 
 Y they 
 
322 The O R A T I O N S, &c. . 
 
 they had deftroyed its benefadlors. Let not, then, this re- 
 proach be retorted on your city, nor prefer their infolence 
 to your glory. Tho' many arguments remain, whereby 
 you might be excited to have regard for our fafety, I can- 
 not comprehend them all in a fhort oration j but you ought 
 yourfelves, refledling on what is omitted, and particularly 
 remembering your oath and covenant, and then our bencr 
 volence and their enmity, decree us juftice. 
 
 
 THE FIFTEENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ■FT 
 
 
 ISO CRATES: 
 
 THE 
 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 On the Exchange of Eftates. 
 
 ■am : 
 ''sf- 
 
 if' 
 
 
 t*"! 
 
 Va 
 
 VV=5S' 
 
[ 325 ] 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 / J SOCRATES had acquired confiderable 
 ' ^^^ rlchefr^nT^g^^^^^ hj injlruhing the 
 
 youl:g nohutiy in literature and elogue?Jce ; buf 
 he could not aroid envy ytjjc Jure, attendant of dif- 
 ^tingutpxdmritT They therefore afperfed hiniy 
 ^S' corrupting the morals of the youth he taught 
 ivithfalfe principles, and to have heaped up mo- 
 ney by teaching of fallacy ; as if true eloquence 
 ivas net the clear efi and heft reajoning. His ene^ 
 7nies thus hoped to do him a prejudice. There 
 , Hsoas (as Libanius fays) fiich a law at Athens : 
 Three hundred of the ?noJl opulent citizens were 
 to be what they called Trierarchi, who were to 
 build, at their own expences, gallic s for the de- 
 fence of their country. But if any one pleaded 
 inability of bearing fuch an expence, he was ex- 
 cufedy could he prove another richer than himfelf: 
 if fuch an one refufed, he was obliged to change 
 his eflate with the other : and this kind of aSiion 
 or caufe was called permutation, or exchange of 
 fortunes. By this mea?is our author was jorced 
 to pay thisfnp-money ; which did not grieve him 
 fo much as to fee himfelf expofed to fuch furious 
 envy of his citizens. There are noble pafjages 
 in it, and the whole oration is mojl worthy to be 
 read with the great efi attention. Nothing can 
 he fircnger painting of the manners of the great 
 andfmallvidgar^ as Cowley poetically files them. 
 
 
 
 
 ■A. 
 
 
 THE FIFTEENTH 
 
 Oration oFIsocrates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 On the Exchange of Eftates* 
 
 IF this oration, which Is now to be recited^ was like to 
 thofe which are written for the forum and oftentation, 
 there would be no reafon for making a preface to it. 
 Now, upon account of its novelty and diverfity, there is a 
 necelTity that I fhould explain the reafons, for which I have 
 chofe to write it in fo different a manner. If this was not 
 known, it would perhaps appear abfurd to many. Tho' I 
 know many of the fophifls calumniate my ftudies, and fay 
 they are all employed in writing popuhir orations (and this 
 they do juft as wifely as if any one fhould call Phidias, who 
 carved the ftatue of Minerva, a maker of poppets, or com- 
 pare Zeuxis and Parrhafius with fuch as paint figns) yet I 
 would never h^ve revenged their depreciating me in this man- 
 ner, becaufe I fhould judge their trifles were of no moment, 
 and that I had made this manifefl to all, that I laid down in- 
 flitutes, have fpoken and written, not about private con- 
 tuacts, but of fo great and of fuch things as none before 
 have attempted, befides thofe who were my difciples, or 
 fuch as would imitate them. For, upon account of my 
 advanced age, I thought, for the fake of my profeflion, 
 and likewife my never having meddled with other bufmefs, 
 I had the friendfhip of my fellow-citizens i but now, when 
 
 Y 3 the 
 
 
326 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 the conclufion of my life approaches, an exchange of 
 cftates being propofed, and a difpute being founded on it, 1 
 have perceived fome of them not fo difpofed towards me as 
 I expe6ied ; and others much deceived about my ftudies* 
 and inclining to believe whatever is faid againft me ; and 
 others indeed, to know fufficiently in what Oodles I am 
 converfant, but yet to envy me, and be of the fame tem- 
 per as the fophifts, and to take pleafure in thofe who have 
 a falfe opinion of me. They have declared themfelves of 
 this mind ; for when my adverfary objected nothing equi- 
 table about what was to be decided, but calumniated the 
 power of my orations, and fpoke, in an oftentatious man- 
 ner, many things of my wealth, and the multitude of my 
 difciples, they decreed I fliould perform this office. And 
 we fo bore the expence, as it becomes thofe who are nei- 
 ther too much ftruck with things of this nature, nor too 
 prodigal and negligent of money. When I had found, as 
 I have faid, that there were more than I thought, who en- 
 tertained unkind fentiments of me, I refledled by what 
 means I might fhew to them, and pofterity, my habitual 
 manners, the life that I lead, and the nature of the learn- 
 ing which I profefs ; nor fuffer myfelf, by negligence, to 
 be condemned without a hearing of the caufe, nor let it be 
 in the power of calumniators, as it has hitherto happened. 
 When I had confidered this, I found I could not finifh it 
 by any other method, than by writing an oration, which 
 might ferve as a pidlure of my mind, and all my a^lions. 
 By this I hoped, that whatever belongs to me, would be 
 more honourably known than by any monument in brafs. 
 But if I (hould endeavour to praife myfelf, I forefaw I could 
 not comprehend all thofe things I defigned to difcourfe of; 
 nor be able to fpeak with favour, and without envy. But 
 if I fuppofed a judgment and danger, and he that accufed 
 me, a fycophant ufmg thofe arguments which were brought 
 againft me in the trial of the exchange of eftates, and my- 
 felf pleading in appearance of defence, by this means I 
 thought I fliould have an opportunity of difputing about 
 
 whatever 
 
 i? 
 
 § 
 
 / 
 
 '^ 
 
 l.„f.$,'r'-»e 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 327 
 
 whatever I pleafed. While I was thinking in this manner, 
 I wrote this oration not in my vigour, but when I was in 
 the eighty-fecond year of my age. Wherefore, it is but 
 juft^nhould-.be-pardonedj if it appears weaker tiban thofe 
 oration^^wJhich I have. hitherto publilhed. Nor was this 
 difcourfe eafy, or of a fimple nature^ but fuch as Required 
 much care and labour ; for fome of thefe things which are 
 written in it, are proper to be faid in court, fome are not 
 proper for fuch difputes, but are fpokeh freely of philofo- 
 phy, and explain its excellency. There is fomething like- 
 wife, which may benefit thofe youths who love difcipline 
 and erudition, if they lifteri to it; Many things likewifc 
 of what I faid before are inferted, not rajQily or unfeafon- 
 ably, but as far as correfponded with my defign. Nov^v 
 it was not a fmall labour to have in one view the prolixity 
 of fuch a difcourfe^ to join together fo many and different 
 forms, to unite what follows with what went before and 
 make all confiftent with itfelf : yet I did not defift, tho*T 
 was of this age, until I had finiflied it, and fpoke, at leaft 
 with truth, butj in other refpeds, as it ihall appear to 
 the hearers. Now, it becomes thofe who read it over to 
 attend to it, as if it was a mixed oration, and written 
 for all thefe fubjeds ; and then fix their thoughts rather 
 on what ought to be faid, than on what has already been 
 fpoken by me. Befides, not to be eager to run it aJI over at 
 once, but fuch a part of it as is not incommodious to the 
 hearers. If you obferve this, you will more eafily per- 
 ceive if I fpeak in any degree worthily of myfdf. This 
 was what I judged neceflary by way of preface. --^•^- 
 
 Now read the defence, which is written as a defence \n 
 judgment, but with defign to explain the truth, and make 
 the ignorant know better, and thofe who envy me, be tor- 
 mented more than ever with the fame diftemper. I cannot 
 exaa a greater punifhment from them. But I judge thofe 
 the worft of all, and worthy of the greateft punifhmcnt, 
 who dare to accufe others of the very faults which they are 
 guilty of themfelves ; which Lyfimachus ha^ done : for hey 
 
 V4 ia 
 
32^ The O R A T I O N S 
 
 in his written difcourfe, makes more words about my ofn-» 
 tions than about all other things; a(fling juft in fuch a man- 
 ner, as if, while a perfon accufes another of facrilcge, he 
 fhould be found to have what beloncred to the o-ods in his 
 own hands. I fhould heartily wi(h he thought me {o 
 powerful in eloquence, as he has pretended to you : he 
 would then have never given me trouble. Now, he fays, 
 y, I am capable of making inferior caufes feem the better ; 
 and yet fo far has defpifed mc, that he hopes he can over- 
 come me, tho' I fpeak the truth. And all things have hap- 
 pened to me fo unfortunately, that others indeed refute ca- 
 lumnies by their orations ; but Lyfimachus has made mine 
 the fubje<5t of his accufation : with this defign, that, if I 
 feem to you to fpeak accurately enough, I may be judged 
 guilty of what has been faid by him of my dexterity. But 
 if I fhould fpeak worfe than he has made you expedl from 
 me, that then you may judge my adlions flill liable to more 
 blame. XI therefore defire of you neither to believe or dif- 
 believe thofe things which have been fpoken, until you have 
 confidered what I fhall fay to the conciufion ; refledling, it 
 would not be necefTary that the accufed fhould have liberty 
 of felf-defence, if what is jufl could be determined from 
 the accufer's oration. Now, whether there be, or not be, 
 any one who is prefent at this judgment, with an accufa- 
 tory or malicious intention, none fhall be left in igno- 
 rance. But if he fpeaks the truth, yet it is no eafy matter 
 for the judges themfelves to determine from what he has faid 
 in the firfl place : and we ought to be contented, if they 
 can attain a knowledge of the truth and equity by both our 
 orations^ Now, I wonder not at thofe, who dwell Jonger 
 ( on the accufation of deceivers, than on the defence of them- 
 felves ; nor at thofe, who fay calumny is one of the greatefl 
 evils ; for what can be imagined more malicious than it ? 
 which makes thofe who lye appear illuflrious, thofe who 
 have done no injuflice feem injurious, and the judges for* 
 fwear themfelves ; which, by introducing a falfe opinion 
 into the minds of the hearers, abfolutely extinguifhes all 
 
 ti-uth. 
 
 hi: 
 
 
 of 1 S O C R A T E S. 329 
 
 truth, and deflroys unjuflly the citizen it falls on. In which 
 refpCvSb it concerns you to take care, that nothing of this na- 
 ture happens to you, or you yourfelves be guilty of what 
 you obje£l: to others. I judge you are not ignorant, that 
 our city has oftentimes before repented of judgments which 
 have been pafTed out; of anger, and not after a due exami- 
 nation : fo that, no long time intervening, it defired to take 
 vengeance on fuch as deceived it, and wifhed the accufed to 
 live better than before. Remembering which, vou ought 
 not ralhly to believe the accufers words, nor hear, with tu- 
 mult and cruelty, thofe who defend themfelv es ;J for it 
 would be a fhame vou fhould be efleemed the mofl cle- 
 ment in other regards, and mcft merciful of all the Greeks ; 
 and yet, in judgment here, acl openly in contradiction \.o 
 this opinion; and that tho', amongfl fome others, an ad- 
 vamage in Bdlots is given to the accufed, yet, among you, 
 fuch as are brought into danger, fhould not be on an equal 
 footing with calumniators ; but that you fhould fwear yearly 
 to hear with impartiality both the accufers and accufed, and 
 yet be fo far from this equity in actions, as to approvewhat 
 accufers fay, but not even tolerate the voice of thofe who 
 endeavour to confute them, fo long till you can hear them 
 out ; and think thofe cities not fit to be inhabited, wherein 
 fome citizens are put to death without the liberty of plead- 
 ing, but be ignorant that they do the fame thing, who do 
 not a(ro);d both contending parties in law the fame benevo- 
 lence^ • But this is the molt iniquitous of all, that every one 
 thinks, if he is brought into danger, it is jufl to accufe 
 his calumniators; but when he is to give fcntence in law 
 in regard of another, has not ^le fame opinion about 
 thefe men. But it becomes thofe who are prudent, to be 
 fuch judges towards" otiiers, as they v/ould defire others to 
 Dem^ their ov/n cafe ; refleding, that, on account of ca* 
 Jiu2iiniators,jt rs3^^^^^ who, by being brought 
 
 into danger, will be obliged next to plead the fame things 
 which I do, before thofe who are to pafs their fentences on 
 him : for no one, by reafon of his having lived a good and 
 
 moderate 
 
328 The ORATIONS 
 
 in his written difcourfe, makes more words about my or:t-» 
 tions than about all other things; afling juft in fuch a man- 
 ner, as if, while a perfon accufes another of facrilcge, he 
 Ihould be found to have what beloncred to the sods in his 
 own hands. I ihould heartily wiih he thought me fa 
 powerful in eloquence, as he has pretended to you : he 
 would then have never given me trouble. Now, he fays, 
 Y I am capable of making inferior caufes feem the better ; 
 and yet fo far has defpifed me, that he hopes he can over- 
 come me, tho' I fpcak the truth. And all things havehap- 
 pened to me fo unfortunately, that others indeed refute ca- 
 lumnies by their orations ; but Lyfimachus has made mine 
 the fubje<5t of his accufation : with this defign, that, if I 
 {com to you to fpeak accurately enough, I may be judged 
 guilty of what has been faid by him of my dexterity. But 
 if I {hould fpeak worfe than he has made you expe6l from 
 me, that then you may judge my adlions ftill liable to more 
 blame. XI therefore defire of you neither to believe or dif- 
 believe thofe things which have been fpoken, until you have 
 confidered what I fhall fay to the conclufion ; refledling, it 
 would not be necefTary that the accufed fhould have liberty 
 of felf-defence, if what is juft could be determined from 
 the accufer's oration. Now, whether there be, or not be, 
 any one who is prefent at this judgment, with an accufa- 
 tory or malicious intention, none fhall be left in igno- 
 rance. But if he fpeaks the truth, yet it is no eafy matter 
 for the judges themfelves to determine from what he has faid 
 in the firft place : and we ought to be contented, if they 
 can attain a knowledge of the truth and equity by both our 
 orations^ Now, I wonder not at thofe, who dwell Jonger 
 on the accufation of deceivers, than on the defence of them- 
 felves ; nor at thofe, who fay calumny is one of the greateft 
 evils ; for what can be imagined more malicious than it ? 
 which makes thofe who lye appear illuftrious, thofe who 
 have done no injuftice feem injurious, and the judges for* 
 fwear themfelves j which, by introducing a faife opinion 
 into the minds of the hearers, abfolutely extinguifhes all 
 
 d-uth. 
 
 n* 
 
 
 
 of 1 S O C R A T E S. 329 
 
 truth, and deftroys unjuftly the citizen it falls on. In which 
 refpei^b it concerns you to take care, that nothing of this na- 
 ture happens to you, or you yourfelves be guilty of what 
 you obje6t to others. I judge you are not ignorant, that 
 our city has oftentimes before repented of judgments which 
 have been parted out^ of anger, and not after a due exami- 
 nation : fo that, no long time intervening, it defired to take 
 vengeance on fuch as deceived it, and wifhed the accufed to 
 live better than before. Remembering which, vou ou2:ht 
 not rafhly to believe the accufers words, nor hear, with tu- 
 mult and cruelty, thofe who defend themfelves ;J for it 
 would be a fhame you fhould be efteemed the moft cle- 
 ment in other regards, and mcft merciful of all the Greeks ; 
 and yet, in judgment here, acl openly in contradiction to 
 this opinion ; and that tho', amongft fome others, an ad^ 
 vantage in ballots is given to the accufed, yet, among you, 
 fuch as are brought into danger, (hculd not be on an equal 
 footing w^ith calumniators ; but that you (liould fwear yearly 
 to hear with impartiality both the accufers and accufed, and 
 yet be fo far from this equity in actions, as to approvewhat 
 accufers fay, but not even tolerate the voice of thofe who 
 endeavour to confute them, fo long till you can hear them 
 out ; and think thofe cities not fit to be inhabited, wherein 
 fome citizens are put to death without the liberty of plead- 
 ing, but be ignorant that they do the fame thing, who do 
 not a(roj;d both contending parties in law the fame benevo- 
 lence^-'^^But this is the molt iniquitous of all, that every one 
 thinks, if he is brought into danger. It is juft to accufe 
 his calumniators i but when he is to give fcntence in law 
 in regard of another, has not ^le fame opinion about 
 thefe men. But it becomes thofe who are prudent, Jo be 
 fuch judges towards'btliers, as they would Jehre others to 
 Deln^ their ov/n cafe ; reflecting, that, on account of ca- 
 Jkunniators^ jt Is a thm^; uncertain, who, by being brought 
 into danger, will be obliged next to plead" the fame things 
 which I do, before thofe who arc to pafs their fentences on 
 him : for no one, by reafon of his having lived a good and 
 
 moderato 
 
to iTie ORATIONS 
 
 moderate life, ought to confide that he will have the li- 
 berty of living in fecurity in the city ; for thofe who chufd 
 to neglect their own affairs, but watch infidioufly thofe of 
 others, do not refrain from fuch as live modeftly in the 
 city, and bring thofe who have committed fome crime be- 
 fore you : but fhewing their power againfl thofe who have 
 committed no injuflice, they receive more money for fi- 
 lence from fuch as are manifeftly guilty : which Lyfimachus 
 having in view, has brought me into this danger; thinking, 
 that if this judgment paffed againfl me, it would be, as it 
 were, a revenue for him from others ; and expeding, 
 Ihould he be thought to have furpafTed me in eloquence^ 
 who, he fays, is the mafler of others, his power would (eem 
 infuperable. Now, he hopes to attain this eafily ; for he fees 
 you too haflily liflen to accufations and calumnies, and that 
 I cannot make an apology worthy enough of my reputa- 
 tion, on account of my old age, and ignorance of fuch 
 contefls i for I hav^ fp. behaved niyfelf^my pafl life, that 
 no one ever, In tKe oj igarch^or'^emoc racy, either o 
 to me, that I had been guilty of contumely or injuflice } 
 nor can there be found either judge or arbitrator^ who ever 
 decided of any anions done by me: for I was fufficiently 
 apprifed of this piece of prudence, never to trefpafs againfl 
 others ; and if I was injured myfelf, not to take revenge in 
 a court of law, but to put an end to the difpute in the com- 
 pany of friends: nothing of which has benefited me; but 
 though I have lived blamelefs to this age, I am brought in^ 
 to as much danger as if I had injured all mankind : yet I 
 am not quite cafl down with dcfpair on account of the 
 greatnefs of the fine ; but if you will vouchfafe to hear me 
 with benevolence, I have great hope, that thofe who are 
 deceived about my fludies, and inclined to fuch as fpeak 
 difadvantageoufly of me, will change their minds immedi- 
 ately, and thofe who judge of me as I really am, will be 
 more confirmed in their ojjinion. But that I may not give 
 you trouble by fpeaking more at large before I come to the 
 fubjed, omitting what you afe to decide, I will immediately 
 
 endeavour 
 
 ■■~M 
 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 331 
 
 endeavour to inform you better. Wherefore let my accu- 
 fation be read. 
 
 The ACCUSATION. 
 
 ^^nIy accufer therefore endeavours, by this, to charge mc 
 me with corrupting youth, by teaching them eloquence^ 
 and to prevail in courts of juflice over equity. In other 
 refpeds, he makes me fuch a perfon as no one ever was, ei- 
 ther of thofe who buflle in courts of Ijudicature, or thofe 
 who are converfant in the fludies of philofophy ; for he 
 does not fay, that only private perfons have been my fcho- 
 lars, but orators, generals, kings, and tyrants ; and that I 
 I have partly alread.y received many prefents from them, 
 and do flill receive. He made his accufation in this man- 
 ner, becaufe he thought, that by what he boafled of me, of 
 my riches, and the multitude of fcholars, he might bring 
 
 "''me into odium with the populace ; and, by his fkiil in liti- 
 gations, he might affe£l you with" refentment and anger ; 
 which as foon as judges are ^^edted by, they become lefs 
 equitable to the accureJ^- Kow, I believe I fhall eafily 
 demonflrate to you, tKat he has exaggerated fome things 
 beyond meafure, and has been guilty of abfolute falfity in 
 others. But I humbly intreat of you, that you attend not 
 to thofe things which you have heard from fuch who endea- 
 vour to fpeak ill of, and calumniate me to others, nor give 
 credit to what has neither been faid with any proof or jufl 
 judgment; nor regard thofe opinions which liave been ini- 
 quitoufly infufed into you, but judge me to be fuch as I ap- 
 pear by this prefent accufation and defence ; for,. by think- 
 ing in this manner, you yourfclves will judge uprightly, 
 and according to the laws, and I fhall attain my jufl rights. 
 And i think that my prefent circumflance of danger is 
 a fufHcient proofs that none of my fellow-citizens have 
 been injured by my art or writings ; for had any one been 
 fo, tho'he had laid quiet in former time, he certainly would 
 not neglect the prefent occafion, but would come hither 
 
 either 
 
 ^« 
 
-^s 
 
 33a The ORATIONS 
 
 cither to accufe me, or give in fome faJfe witnefs ; becaufc, 
 fince he who was never ill-ufed by me, has expofed me to 
 fuch danger, certainly thofe who had fufFered by me, 
 would endeavour to be revenged in turn ; for this, doubt- 
 ^- Icfs, is neither congruous nor poiTible, that I fhould have 
 ^. -offehdeTmany, and that thofe who have fallen into cala- 
 y •, ' jnities by my means, fhould lie dormant, nor dare to ac- 
 ^ ^y^'; ^u^e me, but be made milder to me in my danger than 
 thofe whom I never offended : when it is permitted them, 
 ^ would they declare fuch fa£ls, to take what vengeance they 
 
 pleafe oF nWr-^But never was there before, nor will there 
 now be found any one, who will objed aught of this nature 
 to me. / Wherefore, were I to grant to the accufer, and 
 and confefs, that I was the acuteft of mankind, and a 
 writer of thofe orations which grieve you, more than any 
 other, I fhould rather feem humane than deferving punifli- 
 ment ; for if I excelled others in eloquence and artful apo- 
 logies, any might juftly attribute the caufe to fortune ; but 
 all ought to praife my manners for this, that I have withk... 
 reafon and moderation employed my ingenuity. But tho* I 
 fhould allow this fuperiority of art in myfclf, yet I fhall not 
 ftill be found converfant in compofing fuch orations ; fori 
 judge no one is ignorant of this, that all men are frequently 
 in thofe places where they chufe to get their livelihood. 
 Now, as for thofe who live by contradls, and the bufmefs 
 which arifes from them, any one may obfcrve they aL 
 moft inhabit the forum. But no one ever faw me either in 
 ^flemblies, at judgments in courts, or amongft arbitrators; 
 IlHunnedall thofe more than any citizens. Again, you 
 may find fuch, who can only gain amongft you ; but if they 
 fail to any other place, are indigent of the very neceflaries 
 of life : but as for thofe riches which he has ohjeded to me, 
 they were all rather acquired from abroad.^ Befides, you 
 will find their familiars to be either fuch as are under mis- 
 fortunes, or thofe who have a mind to give trouble to 
 others : but you will find ihofe to have been converfant 
 with me, who live the moft at eafe of all the Greeks. You 
 
 have 
 
 
 ' Ml' 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 333 
 
 have likewife heard from the accufer, that I have received 
 many and great gifts from Nicocles king of Salamis. Now, 
 to whom of you can it feem credible, that J^icocles fhould 
 have given me fuch rewards for teaching him pleadings, 
 who, as lord, is accuflomed to end the difputes of others ? 
 fo that from what the accufer has faid, it is evident, that I 
 have always been remote from that buflle and bufinefs 
 which arifes from contra6ls. Yet this is clear, that there 
 are manv who write orations for thofe who purfue law- 
 contentions in the forum ; yet, of all this crowd, not one 
 of them will be found to have ever been judged worthy of 
 difciples : but I, fays the accufer, will be found to have had 
 more than all who are converfant in philofophy. Now, 
 how is it equitable to judge, that thofe who differ fo widely 
 in their fWTies and affedtions, are concerned in the fame 
 actions ? fTho' I have many things to fay, whereby it will 
 appear, that my life is very different from the lives of thofe 
 who live by the forum ; yet, I think, you will mofl eafily 
 be brought from fuch an opinion, if it be once proved to 
 you, that 1 never had any fcholars of that kind which the 
 accufer has mentioned j and that I am not expert in com- 
 pofing fuch orations as relate to private contrads ; for I 
 judge, that this accufation being refuted, you will willingly 
 entertain another notion, and be defirous of knowing, 
 by an application to what other kind of orations I have ac- 
 quired fo great a reputation. - "Whether it will benefit me 
 to fpeak the truth, I know not ; for it is a difficult matter 
 to reach your fentiments by conjecture : but I judge I ought 
 to fpeak with freedom before you : for I fhould be afhamed 
 of feeing my own difciples, if, having often faid to them, 
 that I defired all the citizens fhould know both tlie life I 
 lead, and what kind of orations I deliver, I fhould not, oa 
 this occafion, fhew it, but be found to conceal them. 
 Wherefore, be attentive, as perfons who are certainly to 
 hear the truth. / 
 
 In the firft place, you are to underfland, that there are no ^^ 
 fewer kinds of writing in profe than in numbers. Some 
 
 have 
 
:> 
 
 34 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 have fpent their whole lives in inquiring into the families 
 pf the demigods ; feme have written com mentaries on the 
 poets ; fome have collcdled together actions in war, and 
 others have employed themfclves about interrogations and 
 anfwers, who are called difputa nts. But it would be no 
 fmall trouble, fhould I number up all the fpecies of ora- 
 tions. Again, there are fome who are not ignorant of what 
 I have been mentioning ; but have not chofen to compofe 
 orations about private contracts, but fuch as concern 
 Greece, and the ftate of republics, and are adapted to ge- 
 neral afTemblies, which all will allow to refemble more fuch 
 compofitions as are formed to mufic and numbers, than 
 fuch as are recited in the forum ; for they ufe a more poetic 
 ftile, contain a greater variety of adions, and feek after 
 more new and. fublime arguments j and, befides, decorate 
 the difcourfe with more florid figures and ornaments ; with 
 all which the hearers are no lefs dehghted than with poetry. 
 Many are willing to become difciples of fuch as excel in 
 this kind -, judging them to be wifer and better than the 
 others who plead caufes, and capable of doing them more 
 good y for they know, the firft, out of a love of bufmefs, 
 are ikilled in controverfies and law-fuits j but that the latter 
 have acquired their eloquence by the ftudy of philofophy j 
 and that thofe who are fkilled in contefts and chicanery, 
 are only tolerable on the day they are heard 5 but that the 
 Others are honoured in all aflemblies, and at all times, and 
 acquire a good reputation. / Befides, they perceive, that the 
 firft, if they be feen twice or thrice at judgments, become 
 odious and are blamed; but that the others, the oftner and 
 with the more they are converfant, are the more efleemed 
 and admired : that likewife fuch as are fkilled in popular 
 pleadings, are very inept for orations of a philofophic kind ;\\ 
 but that the others, fhould they pleafe, would foon be ca- 
 pable of controverfial harangues. They thus judging, far 
 prefer this inftitution, and are dcfuous of being acquainted 
 with this erudition, which I cannot feem to any ignorant 
 of, but to have acquired by it diftinguifhed glory. And 
 
 you 
 
 ■v 
 
 M 
 
 *■«* 
 
 t ' "- 
 
 fc 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 335 
 
 you have heard now all the truth, either about my facultyj 
 philpfbphy, or exercife. 
 
 ^^1 WILL lay down a more fevere rule concerning myfelf 
 than othprs, and ufe a bolder aflertion than fuits my years ; 
 for I not only defire, fhould I appear to have written per- 
 nicious difcourfes, to obtain no pardon, but, unlefs I com- 
 pofe fuch for their utility as no others, that I undergo the 
 fevereft punifhment. I fhould not make fo bold a pro- 
 mife, if I could not eafily demonflrate this, and (hew you 
 the diflindlion of thefe orations, The cafe is fuch : I 
 judge that defence the mofl rational and jufl, which efFe6ls 
 as far as poflibic, that the judges thoroughly underfland 
 about what they are to give their fuiFrages, nor miflake^ by 
 opinion or doubt, which of the parties fpeak truths-- Now, 
 was an accufation brou2;ht ao;ainfl me as one who had tref- 
 paflfed in foiTie a6tions, I could not expofe them to your 
 fight ; but there would be a neceflity, that, by conjedlure, 
 you pafled a probable judgment of what had been done. 
 But fince I am accufed on account of my orations, I think I 
 ihall make the truth more evident to you j for I will fhew 
 them to you which have been fpoken and written by me, 
 that not by opinion only, but the knowledge of their na- 
 ture, you may give your fentence. I cannot recite them 
 all to the conclufion (for the allotted time is fhort) but I will 
 endeavour to give you, as of fruits, a fpecimen of each of 
 them ; for a fmall part being heard, you will eafily know 
 my manners, and the purpofe of all my orations. Now, I 
 dcfire of thofe who have often perufed thefe which are to be 
 recited, not to require of me at prefent new orations, nor 
 think me tedious, that I repeat thofe which before have 
 been publicly and frequently read to you : for did I do this 
 out of oftentatiofi, I fhould deferve jufl reprehenfion ; but 
 being now called before this court, and expofed to danger, 
 I am obliged to ufe them in this manner : for I fhould be 
 moft prepofterous, if, while the accufer fays, that I write 
 fuch orations as prejudice the city, and corrupt its youths, 
 I fhould make my defence in any other manner, when I 
 
 can, 
 
336 The ORATIONS 
 
 can, by producing my orations, diifipate the calumny ; I 
 therefore defire you will give me this leave, and aflift me. 
 I will fo abridge, as prefently to finifh the orations, having 
 firft made a fhort preface, that you may the better compre- 
 hend what is faid ; for that oration, which will be firft 
 ihewn you, was written in thofe times when theLacedse- 
 monians ruled over the Greeks, and we had but a weak 
 power. It exhorts all the Gfeeks to undertake an expedi- 
 tion againft the Barbarians, and difputcs with the Lacedae- 
 monians about the principality. This hypothefis propofed, 
 I fhew our city to have been the caufe of all the feli- 
 city which has happened to the Greeks : but, after I have 
 Qtven the proofs of thefe benefits, I defiened ii'iW more 
 evidently tojdemonftrate^ tbiit^te f^vereignty belonged. to 
 our city, and proceed to inform the hearers, that it is juft our 
 ""city fhould be even mere honoured for its warlike exploits, 
 than Its other benefactions. I thought indeed I could yet 
 have recited thefe things, but I find old age hinders me, and 
 forces me to defpair of it. But that I may not entirely fail 
 by weaknefs, fmce many things are yet to be faid by me, 
 beginning from the marginal note, read what was written 
 upon the fovereignty. 
 
 From the PANEGYRIC. 
 
 •^ I judge our anceflors ought no lefs to be honoured for 
 ** their dangers undergone in war, than for their other be- 
 *' nefits done to Greece ; for they hazarded not themfelves 
 ** in flight or obfcure battles, but in various, fharp, and 
 ** great ones, partly for their own country, and partly for 
 ** the liberty of others. 
 
 ** And how fhould we not fufFcr injuflice, if we, who 
 ** fuflaincd the greateft fhare of evils, be judged only wor- 
 ** thy of the fmallett part of felicity, and be now forced 
 ** to obey others, we who in thofe times were at the head 
 « of all." 
 
 2 Now* 
 
 f t 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 337 
 
 K^<' Now, it is eafy to judge by what has been faid, that the 
 principality belongs to our city.^Reflea^with yowrfelves, if 
 _J %5?.to corrupt you thj. or exhort them tg virtue, and riik-,. 
 ^^K^3P^?-L^. % JA^ jepubllc I or if I ought to be punifhed 
 tor what has been faid, and not rather receive the greateft 
 favour, who W fo p^^^ 
 
 tors, and dangers bravely faced in thofe times, that all 
 thofe who had written on this fubjed before, deflroyed 
 their orations, being afhamed of their own inventions j 
 and even thofe who are at prefent Ikilled in this art, dare 
 fpeak no more on the fame topic, but find fault with their 
 own capacity. Yet tho' this is fo, there will be fome found, 
 who can neither invent or fay any thing of value, but who 
 yet fludy to reprehend and blame others writings ; who will 
 confefs, that thefe things are elegantly expreffed (for they 
 will not envy that praife) yet will affert, that thofe orations 
 arc far more ufeful and better, which criticize on thofe 
 things which are now done amifs, than fuch as praife an- 
 tient tranfadions ; and thofe which give counfel about pre- 
 fent affairs, than thefe which recount pail heroifm. That 
 therefore they may not even have this to fay, omitting the 
 defence of what was faid before, I will repeat to you as 
 much of another as has been recited to you already ; in 
 which I fhall be perceived to have taken great care of all 
 thefe things. It is that which was fpoken in the be- 
 gmning of the oration, upon making peace with the Chr- 
 ans, Rhodians, and Byzantians. When I had fhewn that 
 it would benefit the city, would we put an end to the war, 
 I blame the new dominion conflituted amongfl the Gre- 
 cians, as likcwife the fovereignty of the fea ; fhewing, that 
 it is noways ^lifferen^^fronx jnonarchies a^^ 
 ZJMSl^^^^^^^'^^^^^^mome what upon this account has 
 happened To our city, the Lacedaemonians, and all others. 
 When I had difcourfed on thefe heads, and deplored the ca- 
 lamities of Greece, and admonifhed our city not to commit 
 negligently fuch injuflice ; in the conclufion, I exhort to 
 the ,obfer\'ance of juflice, reprehend public tranfgrefnon5, 
 
 ^ and 
 
 ^ / 
 
 I., 
 
x 
 
 cc 
 
 «( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 3.38 The ORATIONS 
 
 and give counfel about the future. Beginning therefore 
 where I fpeak of thefe things, I will recite Hkewife to all 
 tliis part. 
 
 From the Oration on Peace. 
 
 *' I judge you fhould not only after having decreed peace, 
 leave this aflembly, but after confidering the means of 
 preferving it ;' nor (hould we do what we are wont — 
 after a fmalK interval, let ourfelves be reduced to the 
 fame calamities ; nor feek a prorogation of, but not a 
 
 *' freedom from our prefent evils. ^ 
 
 *' What delivery will there be from this diforder ? 
 *' and how fhall we amend the manners of the city, and 
 *' make them better ? Firft, if we ceafe thinking fyco- 
 *' phants lovers of the people, and the good and virtuous 
 " lovers of an oligarchy ; tho' we know, that no man is 
 *' either hy nature, but in whatever form of government 
 *' particulars are honoured, they defire its eftablifhment. 
 *' If therefore you employ and embrace the good before 
 the bad, as was done formerly, you may have both the 
 leaders of the people, and others who adminifter the 
 commonwealth, better difpofed towards you. Se<:ondlv, 
 if you endeavour to acquire alliances, not by w^rs and 
 fieges, but ben^fatftions ; for it is natural th^t anifties 
 fhould arife from hence, but enmities from what we 
 now do. Thirdly, if yoa etteem nothing more (exclu- 
 five of piety towards the gods) than to be celebrated 
 among the Grecians ; for they voluntarily confer power 
 and authority upon thofe who have fuch a difpofition, 
 5(c." 
 
 You have therefore heard two orations ; I will Hkewife 
 recite a few things out of a third, that it may ftiil be more 
 manifeft to you, that all my orations have a regard to vir- 
 tue and juftice. That which now will be recited, istha^ 
 which advifes Nicocles the Cyprian, who then reigned, how 
 he fhould govern his citizens j but it is not written in the 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 / 
 
 ■/ 
 
 • in:- 
 
 } 
 
 3(c 
 
 V 
 
 \ 
 
 fame 
 
 t-« 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 339 
 
 fame manner as thofe which have been read. In them there 
 \^ a perpetual coherence and connexion betwixt what goes 
 before and what follows 5 but the contrary happens in this : 
 for as if I wrote what they call general heads, the preceding 
 fentences not being relative to what follows, but diflind, I 
 endeavour to exprefs in Jew wards the fubjeds of my ex.« 
 hortation. And I took this method, becaufe I thought, 
 that, by .admonition, I fhould both mofl benefit his mind, 
 and beft indicate my own morals. For the fame reafon I 
 have refolved to fhew it you, not as being the mofl elabo- 
 rately written, but, becaufe by it, it will mofl manifeftly 
 appear in what manner I have been accuflomed toconverfe 
 with private perfons and princes. I fhall be found in it to 
 have reafoned freely, and worthy of the dignity of our city, 
 nor to have flattered him on account of his riches or power^ 
 but to have patronized the fubjeds, and rendered as much 
 as I could his government mild and gentle. If when I fpoke 
 to a king, I efpoufed the caufe of the people, certainly I 
 mufl flrongly incline fuch as govern the commonwealth, 
 under a democracy, to confult the good of the people. In 
 the exordium therefore, and amongfl thofe things which are 
 faid in the beginning, I blame princes for being worfe in- 
 flruaed than others, tho' they ought more than all others ' 
 to cultivate their talents." After I have reafoned on this 
 head, I admonifh Nicocles not to be indolent, or of as r^- 
 niiiLa- mind as if he had received a kingdom as a prieil- 
 ^^^1^^' ^^^P^^^"SP^e^^"^es;,. to apply himrelfto public 
 affairs. I likewife endeavour to perfuade him to this, that 
 he fhould think it abfurd, did he fee worfe men governing 
 better, and the more foolifh prefcribing to the wifer; ad4- 
 Ing, that the more he defpifed the ignorance of others, l)e 
 would certainly more earneftly excrcife his own mind. 
 
 Having fo many things to fay, I know not how todif- 
 ppfc them; for I am perfuaded, all thofe things which I 
 h^ve in my mind, were they exprefTed, would appear jufl 
 and modeft ; but fhould I do fo at prefent, they would caufe 
 much trouble to myfelf and hearers. And in rei^ard of 
 
 2 2 " thofe 
 
 ^M' 
 
 '/ 
 
340 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 thofe things which have been faid, I am not without fome 
 appreheniion, left they may be attended with foqfje fuch in- 
 conveniency on account of their multitude ; for we all are 
 carried away with fuch an infatiablc defire of fpeaking, that 
 we praife indeed proper feafon and method, but no fooner 
 have we in our minds fomei^ing to fay, but neglecting mo-^ 
 deration, and always adding fomething, we expofe ourfelves 
 tothegreateft impertinence. And I now,who fpeak and know 
 this, would IHll difcourfc'a little -longer with you ; forlam 
 filled with indignation, when I fee calumny in a better con- 
 dition than philofophy, and the firft accuftng, while the 
 latter Is brought before juftice. ^^Which who of the anti- 
 cnts would have thought ever could happen ? efpecially 
 amongft you who glory above others on account of philo- 
 fophy. For) things were not fo in the time of our ancef- 
 tors .^[they admired fuch as made profeflion of wifdom, and 
 declareothofe happy who converfe with them ', but they 
 judged fycophants the ajithors of many evils. Of which 
 this is a fignal proof; for'Solon, who firft had the name of 
 fophift, or profefibr of v^dom, they thought worthy of 
 being at the head of the city : but they enadted more fe- 
 vere laws concerning calumnies than all other crimes ; for 
 they appointed judgments only in one court for the greatcft 
 injuries, but againft fycophants they allowed citations be- 
 fore the fix (or thofe called Thefmothetes), profecutions be- 
 fore the fenate, and accufations before the people ; believ- 
 ing fuch as ufed this artifice, exceeded all others in impro- 
 'bity : for that others, while they do ill, endeavour to be 
 concealed -, but that thefe expofe openly before all their cru- 
 elty, hatred, and inhumanity. They judged of them In 
 this manner ; but you are fo far from punifhing fuch, that 
 you make them accufers of, and law-givers to others. But 
 it is juft they fhould at prefent be more hated than even 
 thenj/fbr, at that time, they only hurt the citizens in daily 
 bulmefs, and what regarded the city ; but now the city is 
 increafed, and has acquired the fovereignty which our an- 
 ceftors held before, made bolder than becomes them, they 
 
 I envy 
 
 "1 .*■ . 
 
 ■to • M > 
 
 ■ .'«y . ■ 
 
 ■ *%>- 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 341 
 
 envy good and excellent men, on account of their power, 
 who have fo greatly benefited the city ; and they have de- 
 fired wicked and audacious men, thinking, that, by their 
 boldnefs and animofity, they will be fufficiently qualified to 
 preferve the democracy ; but that, on account of their bafe 
 circumftances at firft,. they will not become proud, orfeeka 
 new ftate of government. In this unhappy change, what 
 bitter and great calamities have befallen the city, which 
 thofe of fuch difpofition, by their words and aclions, have 
 been the caufe of ? Who never have ccafed objeding to the 
 moft praife-worthy citizens, and fuch as were able to do 
 fome good to the city, an affedion for an oligarchy and the 
 Lacedaemonians, till they forced them to be obnoxious to 
 the crimes they were accufed of; and, by vexing and ca- 
 lumniating our allies, and driving the beft men from their 
 poffeffions, they have rendered them fo difpofcd, as to b« 
 quite eftranged from us, and to feek the friendftiip and alli- 
 ance of the Lacedaemonians. By which conduct being 
 forced Into a war, we have feen many citizens partly flain, 
 partly brought under the enemy's power, and partly reduced 
 to the want of neceffaries ; befides, the popular government 
 twice diflblved, and the walls of our country deftroyed j 
 and, what is moft grievous of all, the city brought into 
 danger of captivity, and tlie enemy pofTefring the citadel. 
 
 But I perceive I am tranfported by anger out of my- 
 felf ; and, tho' time fails me, am hurrying into a difcourfb 
 of a day-long, and a full accufation. Omitting therefore 
 the multitude of calamities which have arifen from thefe 
 men, and rejeding that croud of proofs which might be 
 given of their calumnies, after I have mentioned but a few, 
 I will conclude this oration. I fee others indeed, when they 
 are brought into danger, and come near the end of their 
 defence, to fupplicate, befeech, and produce their children 
 and friends ; but I think nothing of this becomes a perfon 
 of my advanced years; and^ befides this, I fhould blufh, 
 fhould I owe my fafety to any thing eKc but thofe orations 
 which have been written and fpoken by me before; for I 
 
 Z 3 know 
 
 I 
 
\ 
 
 342 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 know I have made a virtuous and juft ufe of eloquence 
 both in refpect of the repubHc, our anceftors, and efpeci- 
 ally the gods ; fo that, if they have care of human things, 
 there will nothing be concealed fr©m them which happens 
 to me now : wherefore I fear not what by your means may 
 befall me ; but I truft and have great hope, that the end of 
 my life will then happen when it is expedient for you; and 
 this, methinks, is a fign, becaufc I have lived my paft life to 
 this day, as it becomes pious men, and fuch as are beloved 
 of the gods. Of me therefore, as being of this fentiment, 
 that whatever you determine will turn out a good and be- 
 nefit to me, let every one pafs his fentence as he plcafes and 
 incliiies. 
 
 ti 
 
 THE SIXTEENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES 
 
 W'^'^ ifli< irctlek s<, llH/i£7}f€of ' 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Upon the Pair of Chariot 
 Race-Horses. 
 
 THE 
 
 z 4 
 
[ 345 1 
 
 *e!i9**ea*eaieii8**6aa3«03«^aaii^s« 
 
 The SUBJECT- 
 
 ^HE Athenians had profecuted Aid blades t9 
 
 deaths who^ thd no model of integrity^ was 
 
 a per/on of many noble qualities. The popular 
 
 envy likewife fell on his f on ^ and, among ft other 
 
 calumniators^ oneTifas accufed hifn concerning 
 
 thefe chariot-horfesy to conquer by which^ in the 
 
 . Olympic games, was ejleemed highly glorious a- 
 
 mong the Greeks ; as if they had been extorted 
 
 from him by Alcibiades^ and demanded to be in- 
 
 demjjifed. This oration is properly an encomium 
 
 of Alcibiades, and contains a fne paffage con^ 
 
 cerning excellent virtue^ and its liablenefs to envy 
 
 and calumny. 
 
 THE SIXTEENTH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Upon the Pair of Chariot 
 Race-Horses. > 
 
 You have heard from thofe embafladors who are 
 come hither, and others who have known it, that 
 my father had not this pair of horfes by extortion 
 from Tifias, but by purchafe from the Argives. All have 
 calumniated me in this manner. They lay their charge 
 againft me about private affairs, but make their accufation 
 up of what belongs to the ftate, and employ more time in 
 reproaching my father, than in explaining thofe things 
 which they were fworn to ; and they fo far defpife the laws, 
 that they would exaft punifhment from me for thofe inju- 
 ries, which, they fay, you received from him. But I think, 
 crimes againft the ftate have nothing to do with private 
 controverfies ; yet, becaufe Tifias often objeds to me the 
 banifhment of my father, and is more foHicitous about what 
 concerns us than himfelf, there is a neceffity I ftiould de- 
 fend myfelf on this head : and I ftiould be afhamed, ftiould 
 I feem to any citizen lefs regardful of my father's fame than 
 my own danger^ 
 
 As 
 
[ 345 ] 
 
 46«9**8ae3«03«e3*03«S3«aa*^8a^8*»6il8* 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 ^HE Athenians had profecuted Alci blades t9 
 deathy who^ tho no model of Integrity ^ was 
 a per/on of many noble qualities, The popular 
 envy llkewlfe fell on his f on \ and, among jl other 
 calumniators y one Tifas accufed him concerning 
 thefe charlot-horfeSy to conquer by which. In the 
 • Olympic games, was ejleemed highly glorious a- 
 mojig the Greeks 5 as If they had been extorted 
 from him by Alclblades, and demanded to be in- 
 demiiified. This oration Is properly an encomium 
 of Alclblades, and contains a fne paffage con- 
 cerning excellent virtue ^ and Its llablenefs to envy 
 and calumny. 
 
 
 THE SIXTEENTH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 * 
 
 Upon the Pair of Chariot 
 Race-Horses, ' 
 
 You have heard from thofe embafladors who are 
 come hither, and others who have known it, that 
 my father had not this pair of horfes by extortion 
 from Tifias, but by purchafe from the Argives. All have 
 calumniated me in this manner. They lay their charge 
 againft me about private affairs, but make dieir accufation 
 up of what belongs to the ftate, and employ more time in 
 reproaching my father, than in explaining thofe things 
 which they were fworn to ; and they fo far defpife the laws, 
 that they would exadi: punifhment from me for thofe inju- 
 ries, which, they fay, you received from him. But I think, 
 crimes againft the ftate have nothing to do with private 
 controverfies ; yet, becaufe Tifias often objeds to me the 
 banifhment of my father, and is more foHicitous about what 
 concerns us than himfelf, there is a neceffity I (hould de- 
 fend myfelf on this head : and I fliould be aftiamed, fliould 
 I feem to any citizen lefs regardful of my father's fame than 
 my own danger^ 
 
 As 
 
'346 The ORATIONS 
 
 As for the old citizens, a fhort difcourfc would fuffice 
 me ; for they all know, that by the fame men the demo- 
 cracy was difiblved, and he banifhed. But I will begin 
 to inform the hearers from remoter circumftances, on ac- 
 count of the youjiger, who were born afterwards, and have 
 often heard thefe calumniators ; for they, who before had 
 plotted againft the people, and conftituted the four hun- 
 dred, becaufe my father, tho' invited, would not join the 
 confpiracy, perceiving him of great abilities for public 
 affairs, and faithful to the people, tliought they could make 
 no change in the government of that time, until he was 
 removed out of the way. But knowing the city was apt to 
 be moft inflamed by what concerjis the gods, if any one 
 was proved to have violated the myfteries, and to be like- 
 wife violently provoked in other regards, did any one at- 
 tempt a diffolution of the popular fiatej joining thofe two 
 accufations, they laid a charge before the fenate, faying, 
 that my father held counfels for innovations in the govern- 
 ment; and that the partifans fupping together, celebrated 
 the myfteries in the houfe of Polytion. The city being in 
 cornmotion for the greatnefs of fuch a crime, and an afTem- 
 bly being faddenly called, he fo evidently fhewed their fal- 
 fity, that the people would willingly have punifhed the ac- 
 cufers, and, by their votes, appointed him general in the 
 expedition to Sicily. After this, he failed from his coun- 
 try, as being free of the accufation ; but they again, by 
 folUciting the fenate, and binding the orators to their party, 
 brought on the affair, and fuborned witneffcs. Why fhould 
 I fay more ? for they did not defift till they had both recalled 
 my father from the army, and had put to death fome of his 
 friends, and banifhed others : but he having heard of his 
 enemies power, and the calamities of his friends, and judg- 
 ing he fuffered oppreffion, becaufe, while he was prefent, 
 they had not brought him before juftice, not even in this 
 fituation would he defert to the enemy ; but took fuch care 
 of not trefpaffing againft the city, that retiring to Argos, 
 ^he remained there in quiet. But they arrived at that hei2;ht 
 
 ( 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S: 347 
 
 of infolence, that they perfuaded you to banifh him all 
 Greece ; to write it upon a column ; and demand him of 
 the Argives by embaffadors. 'Being doubtful what he 
 fliould do in his prefent misfortunes, and excluded on all 
 fides, nor feeing any other fafety, he was at laft forced to 
 fly to the Lacedemonians. And this is a faithful narration 
 of what then happened. 
 
 Being thus unjuftly deprived of his country, as if he 
 had committed fome atrocious crime, they accufe and en- 
 deavour to calumniate him, as if he had fortified Decclea ; 
 had perfuaded the iflands to revolt ; and was become the 
 inftruc^or of our enemies : and fometimes they pretend to 
 defpife him, and fay, he no ways excelled others. Now 
 they accufe him of all that has been done, and fay, that 
 the Lacedaemonians learnt from him how to carry on war, ^ 
 who may even teach others that art. JBut^l couli e^y, 
 did the time allow me, fhew, that he did fome things juftlj, 
 a'^Th^rF^iy^S^ ^^^ biameof othc^ : ^utthiscer- 
 limWwouId^be moil'unju^^^^^^^ when my father re- 
 ceived a reward after baniftiment, I fhould now fuffer for 
 that very banifhment. Now, I think he ought to obtain a 
 full pardon from you ; you, who being baniftied by the 
 thirty tyrants, ftruegled with the fame calamities : where- 
 fore you ought to^remember how each of you was ihen 
 affeaed, what difpofition he had, and what danger he 
 would not have underwent to have ceafed wandering, to 
 have returned into his own country, and taken puniftiment 
 of thofe who had expelled him ? And to what city, to what 
 friend, to what ftranger did you not apply yourfelves, to 
 pray them to affift you in the recovery of your country ? 
 What did you abftain from ? Did you not, after feizing 
 the Pirsus, wafte the corn of the country, plunder the 
 fields, fct on fire the fuburbs, and at laft fcale the walls ? 
 You judged fo ftrcnuoufly this to be right, that you were 
 provoked againft thofe companions of your baniftiment, 
 who remained quiet, more than even thofe who had been 
 the authors of thofe calamities ; wherefore it is not juft to 
 
 blame 
 
 '-.-i 
 

 48 The ORATIONS 
 
 blame thofe of the fame fentiments with yourfelves, nor 
 think them wicked men, who, driven from their country, 
 endeavoured to return; but much rather thofe, who remain- 
 ing at home, did adlions worthy of exile : nor beginning 
 hence, judge of my father what a citizen he was when he 
 was Cut off from the city, but confider how he was affedled 
 towards the people in the times before he went into banilh- 
 ment; and remember, when, with two hundred armed 
 men, he withdrew the greateft cities from the Lacedaemo- 
 tiians, made them your allies, and into what dangers he 
 brought the Lacedaemonians, and tranfported the army into 
 Sicily. You ought to be grateful to him for thefe actions, 
 and think thofe the authors of what happened in his cala- 
 mity, who had expelled him the city. Remember like- 
 wife, I pray, that, after his return, he conferred many be- 
 nefits on the republic ; and this in particular, in what con- 
 dition of your affairs you received him, the popular ftate 
 abrogated ; the citizens labouring under fedition j and the 
 foldiers at variance with the magiftrates appointed here; 
 and both brought to that point of penury, that neither had 
 any hopes of fafety : for the one thought thofe who held the 
 city greater enemies than the Lacedaemonians ; the others 
 fent for thofe in Decelea, imagining that it was better to 
 deliver the country to the enemy, than to give the right of 
 the city to thofe who had fought for the republic. When 
 therefore the citizens had fuch difpofitions, the enemies 
 were conquerors by fea and land, and you had no more 
 money; but the Perfian monarch fufficiently fupplied them: 
 befides, when ninety fhips came from Phoenicia to Afpen- 
 dum, and were ready to aflift the Lacedaemonians ; the city 
 being in fuch dangers and calamities, as foon as the leaders 
 had fent for him, he neither boafted nor blamed any for the 
 paft, nor deliberated about the future ; but immediately 
 chofe rather to fuffer any thing with the city, than be happy 
 with the Lacedaemonians ; and he made it manifeft to all, 
 that he had contended with thofe who were the authors of 
 his banifhment, and not with you, and was defirous of 
 
 returning, 
 
 f 
 
 s 
 
 ■■^ 
 
 ;f i 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 349 
 
 returning, and not of facking the city. Joined with you, 
 he perfuaded Tiffaphernes not to furnifh the Lacedaemo- 
 nians with money ; and caufed the allies to ceafe deferting 
 from you ; but he divided money of- his own amongft the 
 foldiers, reftored the commonwealth to the people, recon- 
 ciled the citizens together, and averted thofe fhips which 
 had come from Phoenicia. And to mention what fhips he 
 afterwards took, in how many battles he defeated the ene- 
 my, how many cities he flormed, or made your friends by 
 perfuafion,. would be an arduous labour to enumerate. 
 Tho' many battles happened to our city in thofe times, yet 
 the enemy never ereded a trophy over us, when my father 
 
 was general. 
 
 And as for the things done by him when general, I 
 know I omit many ; but I have not fpokcn accurately of 
 them, becaufe almoft all of you remember thofe tranfadions. 
 They reproach likewife, and with too much indecency and 
 confidence, another part of my father's life, nor are afhamed 
 of ufing that liberty of fpeech about him now he is dead, 
 which they would have been afraid of was he living. But 
 they are arrived at fuch a pitch of madnefs, that they think 
 they will gain honour from you and others, if they make 
 as many invedlives againfl him as pofTible ; as if all did not 
 know, that it is in the power of the moil worthlefs of man- 
 kind, not only to fpeak reproachfully of the moft excellent 
 men, but outrageoufly to blafpheme the very gods. Per- 
 haps therefore it would be impertinent to heed all that has 
 been faid ; yet I have a particular inclination to fpeak of 
 my father's ftudies, taking this topic fomething higher, and 
 making mention of my anceflors, that you may underfland, 
 that long ago we have had one of the greateft and noblefl 
 IJiares of glory among the citizens ; for my father, on the 
 male fide, was derived from noble perfons, which is eafy 
 to know from his furname ; and by the female, from the 
 Alcmaionidas, who have left one of the greatefl proofs of 
 their riches ; for Alcmaeon was the firft of the citizens who 
 conquered in the Olympic games. But they fhewed their 
 
 affcctioa 
 
350 TBe ORATIONS 
 
 afFeclion to the people efpecially in tyrannical times; for 
 tho' they were relations to Pififtratus, and his moil inti- 
 mate friends ot all before he afcended to fupreme power,* 
 yet they would not be partakers of his tyranny ; but they 
 thought it fitter to fly their own country, than fee their 
 fellow-citizens enflaved. That fedition lading forty years, 
 they were fo odious to the many tyrants that then rofe, 
 that when their parties prevailed, they not only pulled 
 down my forefather's houfes, but digged up their fepul- 
 chres : but they conftantly had that truft put in them by 
 the exiles, that they always continued the leaders of the 
 people. Laftly, Alcibiades and Clifthenes, the one mv 
 great-grandfather by my father's, and the other by my mo- 
 ther's fide, being chofen their generals, brought back the 
 people from banUhment, expelled the tyrants, and confti- 
 tuted that democracy, in which the citizens were fo brouo-ht 
 lip to fortitude, that they alone conquered in battle thofe 
 Barbarians, who were come againft all Greece : and, on 
 account of juilice, they were fo famous, that the Greeks, 
 by free confent, entrufted them with maritime fovereignty ; 
 and they rendered the city fo great in power, .and other ad- 
 vantages, that men called it the metropolis of Greece ; and 
 thofe who were wont to ufe fuch exaggerations, feem to 
 fay nothing but tnith. Therefore this fincere love of the 
 people, fo ancient and confirmed, and proved by the grcat- 
 cil benefits, my father received handed down from his an- 
 ceftors. But h^ himfelf being left a pupil, was educated 
 imder Pericles, whom all will confefs to have been the mod 
 moderate, juft, and wife, of all the citizens. 1 look upoii 
 this to be fmgularly glorious, viz. after having been derived 
 from fuch parents, to have been educated, brought up, and 
 throughly inftrucxed in fuch manners. When he was adult, 
 he fell not fhort of v/hat has been faid before; nor did he 
 think it juH: to lead an inactive life, and glory in the vlitue 
 of his anceftorsi but he was immediately fo maonanimous, 
 that he thought it proper he fnould be praifed on his own 
 account, and not celebrated for their noble adlions. And, 
 
 firft. 
 
 11' 
 
 
 u 
 
 'I 
 
 'ii 
 
 of I SO t R A 'PE S. 35r 
 
 firft, when Phormio leiT-iMihourand aritied Athenians agaiRft 
 the Thracians, after he had fcled^ed the beft, my father 
 
 Marching with them, fo beliaved himfelf in battle, that hre- 
 was honoured with a crown, and pr^f^Ufed 1?)y the general, 
 with a complete coat of annour. Now,- what fhall we 
 judge him to have done afterwards, who was then tlKHighf 
 worthy of the greateft honours ? Certainly, fighting along 
 with the nobleft of the city, to have defefved precedency j 
 and leading an army 'againft the braveft Grecians, to have^ 
 been fuperior in every battle. Wherefore, when he was a 
 youth, he obtained fucii honours, and advancing in years, 
 performed fuch a(5lions. 
 
 Afterwards he married my mother. Ijudgethathe 
 received her too as a reward of his virtues ; for her father 
 Hipponicus was the firft of the Greeks in riches, and infe- 
 rior to none by his family -, honoured likewife and admired 
 
 - the moft of all his contemporaries. Defigning to marry 
 his daughter with the greateft fortune, and fuitable glory," 
 tho' all defired to have obtained her, while none but princ^s^ 
 pretended to it, he chofe my father, fclefled from all othersy 
 
 fbf his fon-in-law. 
 
 ■ "AiDUT' this time, my father obferving that the Olym- 
 pic games and afTemblics were loved and admired by all, 
 and that the Greeks made in them an oftentation of their * 
 riches, ftrength, and education ; and that the Athlete** 
 were celebrated, and their cities rendered femous -, befides,* 
 tliinking the private expences on thefe occafions due to the' 
 public, and what was conferred upon this aflembly, contri- 
 buted for our city, to all Greece; thinking this, I fay, 
 tho' no one was ftrono^er in body, or more dextrous than 
 himfelf, he defpifed gymnaftic conflicls, becaufc he knew 
 that fome of the wreftlers were meanly born, dwelt in fmall 
 cities, and were ford idly educated : v/herefore he refoh ed 
 to keep horfes, which is the lot of the moft fortunate, and 
 not in the power of any vulgar perfon ; and in this he fur- 
 pafted not only thofe who conj^nded with him, but ail who 
 ever conquered in this kind i for he fent fo many pairs, as 
 
 ever; 
 
352 The ORATIONS 
 
 even the greateft citie3 did not furnifh, and fo excellent, 
 that he was the firft, fecond, and third : befides, he was in 
 thofe facrifices, and other magnificences of the feaft, of fo * 
 liberal and munificent a mind, that the public riches of 
 cities feemcd lefs than his private : and he fo finifhed that 
 fpc£lacle, that the felicity of the chiefefl perfons feemed lefs 
 than his ; and that the glory of thofe who had conquered 
 in his time was eclipfed ; fo that he left no pofTibility to 
 thofe who (hould fucceed him in the fame of furpafling him ; 
 for he fo far excelled in all munificence, that they who had 
 performed lefs generous offices, praifed themfelvesftill on that 
 account ; and (hould any one, in my time, require favour on 
 this fcore, he would renew the idea of my father's merits. 
 Now, as for what regards the commonwealth (for this 
 is not to be omitted, fmce he did not negledl it) he fo far 
 furpafTed in beneficence the moft celebrated, that you will 
 find others to have moved feditions for their own fakes, but 
 that he expofed himfelf for you to dangers ; for he was not 
 then popular only, when he was repelled by the oligarchy, 
 but was popular when he was invited by them ; and when 
 he had it in his power not only to have reigned with a few, 
 but be fuperior to them too, he refufed it, and chofe rather 
 to fufFer injuries from the city, than betray the republic. 
 And no one could have perfuaded you by his eloquence of 
 this, while you conftantly lived under a republic j but the 
 feditions fmce rifen, have evidently fhcwn you who were 
 lovers of the people, who of an oligarchy ; who defired 
 reither flate, and who would be partakers of both. And, 
 firfl, they had no fooner removed him, but they depofed 
 the popular government. Laflly, they had fcarce opprefTed 
 you by flavery, but they condemned him to banijjunent ; 
 fo greatly did the city partake of my father's felicity, and 
 he fhare in its calamities. Of a truth, many citizens were 
 averfe to him, as if he had aiFedted tyranny, not forming 
 their judgment from his aClions, but judging It was what 
 all defired, and that he could moft eafily attain it : where- 
 fore you ihould be more grateful to him, fmce he alone of 
 
 all 
 
 of I S O G R A T E S. 353 
 
 ill the citizens was thought worthy of fuch an imputations 
 and yet always thought it juft to be on an equal footing 
 with others iti claim cf equity. 
 
 On account of the multitude of thingsj which prefent 
 themfelves to be faid of my fa.h:r, I doubt which in parti- 
 cular I (hould mention at prefent, and which I (hould 
 omit; for that which is yet unmentioned, feems always 
 greater to mc, than what has been faid before. Now, I 
 iudofc it manifeft to all, that he mufl: be the beft-affc6lioned 
 towards the city's happinefs, to whom the greateft good or 
 evil in It belongs : who therefore, v/hile the republic flou- 
 rifhed, was happier, or more admired than he ? But when 
 it was diftreiled, who was deprived of greater hope, of 
 greater v/ealth, or more fplendor and glory ? In fine, as. 
 foon as the Thirty had got tl:e fupreme power, were not 
 others only banifhed the city, but he expelled all Greece ? 
 Did not Lyfandcr and the Lacedaemonians take as much 
 pains to flay him, as they did to deftroy your power ? 
 thinking that they could have no fecurity of holding our 
 city in fubjeiSlion, tho' they deftroyed the walls, unlefs they 
 deftroyed him, who was capable of reftoring them i fo that • 
 not only from thofe benefits which he conferred upon you, 
 but from thofe calamities v/hich he fufFered, it is eafy to per- 
 ceive hi^ benevolence : for it is evident that he affifted the. 
 people, defired the 0.me ftate of the republic as you did, 
 was diftrefled by the fame perfons, was unhappy with the- 
 whole city, judged the fame his and your enemies, and un- 
 derwent all kinds of dangers, partly under you, partly with 
 you, and partly for you ; for he was a citizen quite differ- 
 ent from Charicle?, my accufer's relation, who was defirous 
 of ferving' the enemy, but of governing his citizens : and 
 when he was banifhed, remained quiet ; but, on his re- 
 turn, prejudiced the city. How could there be a bafer 
 friend, or a more worthlcfs enemy ? You, acknowledging 
 yourfelf his relation, and having been a fenator under the 
 thirty tyrants, dare you recahto mind ancient injuries ? 
 And are you not afhamcd to violate the covenants, by 
 
 A a which 
 
354 The R A T I O N S 
 
 which you yourfelf inhabit the city? nor refled, thatfhould 
 a decree be made to take revenge for what has pafled, you 
 would, in the lirft place, and far more than I, be expofed 
 to danger; for they certainly will never inflidt punifhment 
 on me for thofe things which my father did, and at the 
 fame time pardon you the crimes, which you have perpe- 
 trated : for it will be clear, that you had not the fame caufe 
 as he ; you not being banifhed, but governing, with 
 others, the ftate ; not forced, but on your own accord , 
 not a revenger, but as aggreflbr, injured your citizens; fo 
 that you can plead nothing in apology for fuch crimes. 
 
 But of what was then tranfacled in the ftate, perhaps' 
 hereafter, in this man's own danger, I fhall have occafion 
 to make a diffufer narration. I beg of you not to give me 
 up to rtiy enemies, nor afflici: me with incurable calami- 
 ties ; for I ha^ already experienced them fufiiciently, who* 
 was even born an orphan, my father being banifhed, and 
 my mother dying. Not four years old, I was brought in 
 danger of my life, on account of my father's banifliment : 
 the others being returned from the Pyraeus, and the reft 
 recovering their eftates, I alone was deprived of my lands 
 by the power of enemies, which the people had given us 
 for money we furnifhed the public with. Tho' I have 
 been involved in fo many calamities, and have twice loft 
 my eftate, I am now forced to defend myfelf againft a fine 
 of five talents. The adion, indeed, is laid for money; 
 but I plead in fa£l for my continuance in the city : for tho' 
 the fame fiVies are noted in the public books, the fame dan^ 
 ger hangs not alike over all ; but thofe who are rich, are 
 only in danger of the penalty ; but thofe who, like me, are 
 in narrow circumflances, run the rifk of incurring infamy, 
 which I efteem a greater misfortune than banifhment ; for 
 it is more miferable to live ignominioufly amongft citizens, 
 than to live among foreigners : I therefore intreat you to 
 affift me, nor fufFer me contumelioufly to be evil-treated 
 by my adverfaries, or to be deprived of my country, or 
 rendered famous by my ruin. I juftly may obtain pity froxA 
 
 you. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 355 
 
 Jnou, by the nature of the things themfelves, tho* I did not 
 fendeaVour to perfuade you by words : if it be juft to pity 
 thofe who are undefervedly in danger^ contend about things 
 of the greateft moment, but fuffer what is unworthy of 
 themfelves and anceflors, and have been deprived of the 
 greateft riches, and experienced the greateft changes of life. 
 
 Tho' I have many reafons to deplore my cafe, I am 
 particularly filled with indignation for thefe things : firft, 
 fhould this perfon take revenge on me, who ought to do it 
 on him : then, fliould I fufFer difgrace for my father's 
 Olympic vidories, for which I fee others have received re- 
 wards*: befides, if Tifias, who never did any good to the 
 city, be fo powerful in a popular ftate, as well as in an oli- 
 garchy, while I, who injured neither, ftiall be ill-treated 
 by both : and if you ftiall have aded contrary to what was 
 the wills of the thirty in other regards, but have the fame 
 fentiments of me as this perfon ; and if then deprived of the 
 
 city along with you, I fliould be now by you deprived o£ 
 my country. 
 
 • « I Ii i >i*afc1f*>a<— !■ 
 
 i«*mB« 
 
 Aal 
 
 THfi 
 
-i» -a" 4 
 
 THE SEVENTEENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISO CRATES 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 The Banker 
 
 A a 
 
[ 359 ] 
 
 Ig^®®^^^ 
 
 (& 
 
 A 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 ' Certain youth of Pontus^t the fon of SopauSy who had the 
 
 particular friend/hip of SatyruSy the prince of PontuSy 
 
 moved hy a defire *f feeing Grteciy having failed with two 
 
 Jhips laden with corn to Athens y made ufe of the hanker Pafio 
 
 in paying and receiving his moneys. It happened in the mean 
 
 time that SopauSy being accufed to Saiyrus of offering the 
 
 kingdom, was thrown into pr if an ; andhhforL, fir whom this 
 
 oration was writteny being accufed of having confpired with 
 
 the exiles, was recalled into PontuSy i(;ith ordersy that he 
 
 Jhould deliver all his money to the emhafjadors^ He therefore ^ 
 
 by the advice of PafiOy whom he thought his heftfriendy oheyedy 
 
 and what could not be comealedy giwe t$ the emhaffadors j but 
 
 ienied he had any money in his hands y gnd addid hefidiSy that 
 
 he was confiderably indebted to PafiOy that he might obtain 
 
 from the tyrant fome relief of his indigence. When Pafiofaw 
 
 the young man diflreffed on all fides y jibing he had a fine op- 
 
 portunity of fecreiing the money y when the youth re-demanded 
 
 ity he denied that he had any thing of his. He was thus for cedy 
 
 for the prefent, to be patient ; but a little afteTy^ SopctuSy upon 
 
 the dif cover y of the truth, being rejlored to Satyrus^s favour y 
 
 his fony having been often deluded, lays his charge againji 
 
 PafiOy and demanded his money. The Jiate of the caufe is con^ 
 
 je£lural 'y for the hinge of all turns upon thisy if the plaintiff" 
 
 has money repofited with Pafio. The mcjl dijlinguijhed topics- 
 
 in it are the inconflancy of the favour of tyrants^ and tb$ 
 
 danger of pretended friendjbip. 
 
 THE SEVENTEENTH 
 
 Oration of I SO crates: 
 
 entitled, 
 The Banker. 
 
 THIS difpute is not of fmall moment, O judges I 
 for I am not only expofed to tlie danger of lofmg 
 a great fum of money, but of feeming to have 
 coveted another's property, which gives me a greater con- 
 cern : for I {hall have fuificient money, tho' I be defrauded 
 of this ; but fhould I appear to have defired, without a juft 
 caufe, fo much money,- I fhall be for ever difgraced. Now 
 it is, O judges ! one of the greateft difficulties to have fuch 
 adverfaries ; for contra£ls with bankers are made without 
 witnefs, and chexe is a neceflity thatthofe who are injured 
 by them mufl run a great hazard, becaufe they have many 
 friends, handle much money, and are efteemed creditable 
 perfons on account of their profelTion -, yet, though thefe 
 things be fo, I think I fliall make it evident to all, that I 
 have been defrauded of fo much money by Pafio, 
 ^ I witL therefore, as well as I can, relate to you ali 
 that happened : My father, O judges ! is one Sopaeus, 
 whom all know, who have failed to Pontus, to be in fa 
 great favour with Satyrus, that he governs a confiderable 
 country, and has the care of all his forces. Having heard 
 of this city, and all Greece, I was defirous of travelling, 
 Now, my father, filling two fhips with corn, and furnifh- 
 ing me with money, fent me abroad, both on account of 
 
 A a ij, xner^ 
 
360 The ORATIONS 
 
 miychandize, and feeing foreign places. Pythodorus the 
 Phoenician having recommended to me this PaP.o, I made 
 uCq of him in exchange. But my father being afterwards 
 accufed to Satyrus of afle61ing the kingdom, and I, that I 
 was united with the exiles, he fcizcd my father, and fcnt 
 to thofe, who are come from Pontus, to receive th« moneys 
 of me, and order me to return home again ; but, if I 
 would do neither of thefe, that they fiiould then demand 
 me of you. Being in thcTc calamitous circumllance?, O 
 judges ! I lamented my fortune to Pafio ; for I was fo fami- 
 liar v/ith him, that I did not only truft him with my mo- 
 ney, but chiefly likewif;; with all my other concerns. Upon 
 this, I thought, if I fiiould lofe all my money, I Ihould be 
 brought into danger, fhould my father happen to fufFcr, 
 of being deprived both here and there of all I had, and of 
 falling into the laft poverty ; but if, confefTing I had wealth 
 here, and Satyrus having fent the fore-mentioned mefiafre, 
 I ihould not give it up, I judged, that I (hould expofc 
 both my father and myfelf to grievous calumnies with Sa- 
 tyrus. Deliberating therefore together, it feemed beft, 
 that I fhould fay, I would do all that Satyrus required, and 
 fhould deliver up that money which was known of, but 
 fhould not only conceal that which was repofited with 
 him, but declare, that I had taken up upon intereft, both 
 with him and others, feveral confiderable fums, and do 
 every thing in fuch fort, as to make them believe I had no 
 money at all. And I thought, O judges I that Pafio coun- 
 fclled me to this out of benevolence j but when I had tranf- 
 aded the affair with thofe whom Satyrus had fent to me, I 
 obferved, that he had laid fnares for my property : for when 
 I would have received my own, and failed to Byzantium, 
 he, thinking he had got a moft convenient opportunity ; 
 that there was a great fum of money repofited with him, 
 ^vj^hich was worthy of impudence ; and that I had, in the 
 healing of many, denied I was poffefled of any thin^, and 
 it was manifeft to all, that when money was demanded of 
 me, I confclled myfelf indebted to others 5 bcfides, imagln* 
 
 -, f 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. 361 
 
 \n^ that if I attempted to ftay here, I (hould be delivered 
 up by the city to Satyrus, and that, if I turned myfelf elfe- 
 where, he fhould not regard my complaints ; or, if I did 
 fail to Pontus, that I fhould pcrifh with my father : think* 
 ing, I fay, thefe things, he refolved to deprive me of my 
 money ; and at firft he feigned to me, that he had not 
 money ; but afterwards, having a mind to know the truth, 
 I fent Piiilomclus and Menexenus to him, when he denied 
 that he had any thing of mine. So many calamities at once 
 furrounding me, what muft have been the fituation of my 
 mind ? who, by my filence, was in danger of being de- 
 frauded of my money, and, did I make my declaration, 
 was not likely to receive it, but fhould thereby render both 
 myfelf and father fufpedted by Satyrus of a great crime : I 
 therefore judged it belt to be quiet. After this, O judges ! 
 they came and told me, that my father was freed ; and that 
 Satyrus fo repented of all that was done, that he had given 
 him the greateft pledge of it, increafed the government 
 which my father had before, and had taken my fifler for 
 wife to his own fon. When Pafio heard this, and knew I 
 would declare my cafe, he concealed the youth Cittus, who 
 was privy to what was done with the money j but after- 
 wards, when I, coming to his houfe, had afked for the 
 boy, he thinking he would be a moil evident proof of thofe 
 things which I accufed him of, he aflerted one of the mofl 
 impudent falfitics, that I and Menexenus, after we had cor- 
 rupted and perfuaded the youth, who fat at his counting- 
 table, had defrauded him of fix talents. But that there 
 might be no queflion or torture upon this fcore, he added, 
 that after we had hidden this youth, we accufed him, and 
 demanded whom we ourfelves had concealed ; and faying 
 thefe things, flying into paflion, and weeping, he dragged 
 me to Polemarchus, requiring bail : nor did he let me go, 
 till I had given bail to fix talents. Call thofe who are my 
 ^vitnefTes. 
 
 Witneffes, 
 
 You 
 
"x 
 
 362 The ORATIONS 
 
 You have heard the witnefTes, O judges ! But I, when 
 
 I had thus loft one fum of money, and had a-fliameful accu- 
 
 fation lodged againft me for another, went into Pelopon- 
 
 nefus to get more. In the mean time, Menexcnus catched 
 
 the boy here ; and after that he had feizcd him, he de- 
 
 manded that he fhould undergo the qucflion, both about 
 
 the depofitum, and the crim»e which we were accufed of, 
 
 Eut PafiQ arrived at that pitch of arrogance, that he refgued 
 
 him as a free perfon ; r.or blufucd to afErm his freedom, 
 
 who he had faid was carried away by us into flavery, and 
 
 from whom we had fo much money, and hindered him 
 
 from being tortured. 3ut this is tlie moft grievous of all ; 
 
 ^ienexenus offering to Polemarchus fecurity for producing 
 
 the boy, Paflo gave a fecurity of fix talents, as fur a free 
 
 perfon. Let die witnciTes of thefe facts appear. 
 
 WitnelTes. 
 TpfESE things having been done thus, and judging that 
 he was manifeftly liable to condemnation for what ha4 
 paiTed, he ftiU imagined by what remained, he could cor- 
 rect all ; and he came to us, faying, he was ready to deliver 
 the boy to torture : and choofing examiners, wc came to 
 the temple of Vulcan. I defired the officers to lafh him, 
 and torture him, until he feemed to fpeak the truth. But 
 Pafio faid, that he had not chofen them as public torturers ; 
 and ordered, that they fhould alk the youth in words what- 
 ever they pleafed. While we quarrelled, the inquifitors 
 faid, they would not apply tortures to the youth ; but they 
 decreed, it v/2ls but juft Pafio fhould deliver the boy to me. 
 But he was fo afraid of his torturing, that he would not 
 obey them in the delivery of the boy ; but f^id, he was 
 ready to pay all the money, if they condemned him.. Call 
 the witnefTes of thefe fa£ls. 
 
 WitnefTes, 
 
 When after thefe meetings, O judges ! all condemned 
 
 him of injuftice, and of adling iniquitouily ; in the firfl, 
 
 place, for faying, that the boy, who I had declared knew of 
 
 the money, and whom he had hidden himfelf, was con-^ 
 
 » cealed' 
 
 
 f-5t- 
 
 -m i'sj*-" I 
 
 v. 
 
 f.: 
 
 *«■ 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 363 
 
 ccaled by us ; then, when he was found, for preventing 
 him, as being free, from fufFering the torture 5 afterwards, 
 when he had given him up as a flave, and had chofen tor-^ 
 turers, for ordering him verbally to be tortured, but, in 
 fadl, forbidding it. On this account, judging that he 
 ihould not have a poflibility of an efcape, if he fhould b^ 
 brought before you, by a mefTenger he defired I would meet 
 him at the temple. When we were met in the citadel, 
 covering his head, he burft into tears, and faid, he had 
 made a denial of my money, being urged by poverty ; but 
 that he would endeavour to repay me in a fmall time. He 
 begged of me that I would pardon him, and hide his cala- 
 mity, left he, who was accuftomed to receive depofitums, 
 fhould be convi6led of having done fuch things, I think- 
 ing he repented of his adions, granted this, and bid him 
 find out his own methods, whereby affairs mi^ht be made 
 up eafily, and I receive my money. Three days after, 
 meeting again, we pledged our faith, that what had been 
 done fhould be fuppreffed in filence (which faith he kept, 
 as you fhall hear in fucceeding difcourfe) ; and he promifed 
 he would fail into Pontus, and pay the gold there, that he 
 might difcharge his agreement as far otr us pofltble, nor any 
 one here know the terms of our r^conCii»c.uon,.and that he 
 having undertaken a foreign voyage, migiit Tay publicly 
 what he pleafed. But if he did not do this, he would 
 grant, upon certain conditions, an arbitration to Satyrus, 
 whereby he might condemn him to the penalty of the entire 
 fum, and an half moie. When we had mutually written 
 this, and had met in the citadel, Satyrus the Pheraean, who 
 yras accuftomed to fail to Pontus, we g^ve him our con- 
 trads to keep! ordering him, fhould we be reconciled, ta 
 burn the writing ; but if not, to deliver it to Satyrus. And 
 our affairs, O judges ! paffed in this manner. But Menex- 
 cnus^ being provoked for the crime allcdged to him in part 
 by Pafio, had recoufe to' juftice, and demanded Cittus, re- 
 quiring, that the fame fine fhould be laid on the forgery of 
 Fafio, which he muft have fuffered himfelf, had he been 
 
 con-r 
 
364 The ORATIONS 
 
 conviclcd of fuch aftions. But Pafio, O judges! bcirgcd 
 of me to appeafe Mencxenus, faying, his cafe wt)u]d be no 
 better, fhould he, according to agreement, go into Pontus, 
 and pay the money, and yet be cxpofcd no lefs to derifioa 
 he:c ; for, he added, fhould the youth be tortured, he would 
 declare the whole truth. But I dcfucd he would tranfadt 
 with Mencxenus what he pleafed, and perform his cove- 
 nant to mc. At this time he was humble, not knowina: 
 how he fiiould manage in his prefent freights ; for he was 
 not afraid only about queftioning the boy, and the charge 
 lodged againfl him, but for the writing, leil: Mencxenus 
 fhould happen to come at it. Being filled with thcfc doubts, 
 nor finding any other remedy, by perfuading the failors, 
 he corrupts the writing which Satyrqs was to have received, 
 unlefs he fatisfied me. He* had no fooner done this, but 
 he became a moft audacious fellow ^ and faid he would fail 
 with me into Pontus 5 and that there was no covenapt be- 
 twixt us, ordering the writing to be opened before witnefr 
 fes. Why fhould I detain you with many words, Q 
 judges ! 'inhere was found in the writing, that he was freed 
 from all engagements with me. Now I have recited all 
 that happened, as exadrly to you as I poiTibly could. But 
 I believe, O judges ! that Pafio will defend himfclf by cor- 
 rupted accounts, and particularly truft to that rcfource. 
 Do you therefore be attentive to me i for I judge I fhall b^ 
 able, even from them, to make evident his improbity. 
 Firfl, rcfle<^l upon this : when we gave our agreement to 
 the flrangcr, by which, he pretendii, he is freed from al,l 
 my demands, I fliil affirm, I ought, even by it, to receive 
 my gold ; for both ordered the ilrajiger, fliould we b« 
 agreed, to burn the writing ; but if not, tcHgive it to Sa^ 
 tyrus : and it is allowed, that this was fpokcn by both. 
 Now, with what view, O judges! did we bid him give the 
 writing to Satyrus, except we were reconciled, if Paiio 
 was already free from my demands, and the affair was con- 
 cluded ? But it is evident that we had made this agreement, 
 zs the affair was yet unfinilhcd 5 and he mull fatisfy n:;e, 
 
 accord- 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 365 
 
 according to our mutual accounts. Befides, O judges ! I 
 can give the reafon why he promifed he would leflora the 
 gold ; for feeing that we were freed from accufations to Sa- 
 tyrus, and that he could not conceal Cittus, who was con- 
 fcious of the depofitum, judging, fhould the youth be giten 
 up to torture, that he would be found out to have had a 
 malicious intention, and if he did not do it, that he muft 
 lofe his caufe, he therefore refolved to determine the affair 
 with me. Afk of him, what gain I had in view, or what 
 danger I was afraid of, that I freed him from all profecu- 
 tion ? But if he can fhew nothing of this nature to you, 
 why fhould you not rather truft to me,, than him, about our 
 accounts ? For it was eafy for me, O judges ! as you mufl 
 perceive, was I apprchenfive I might be refuted about what 
 I accufed him of, to have dropped, without any agreement, 
 the whole affair; but it was impoflible for him, both on 
 account of the queflion put to the boy, as well as the charge 
 brought before you, to be freed when he pleafed from trou- 
 ble, unlefs he pacified me, who had accufed him. Where- 
 fore it did not concern me to be freed, but him to make- 
 agreement for payment. Befides, this would be abfurd, if, 
 before our accounts were written out, I was fo diffident of 
 my cafe, that I did not only free Pafio from all pleas, but 
 like wife entered into a covenant about it ; yet, when I had 
 written a teftimony againfl myfelf, I then would come be- 
 fore you : but who would thus ad in his own affair ? This 
 is one of the flrongefl arguments of all, that Pafio was not 
 acquitted by agreement, but had promifed that he would 
 Ply ^he gold ; for when Menexenus had commenced a fuit 
 agJffnfl^him, while the writing was not corrupted, havinw- 
 fent Agyrius to us, who is familiar to both, he beo-g-ed, 
 that I would appeafe Menexenus, or annul the covenant 
 with himfelf. But can you think, O judges ! that he would 
 d|fire that covenant to be made void, w^hereby he might 
 prove us both guilty of falfity ? AVhen the writins; was 
 changed, he did not then ufe the fame words, blit appealed 
 tQ the covenant, and ordered the writing to be opened. 
 I.. . That 
 
366 The ORATION S, 
 
 That he at firfl defired the writings to be annulled, I will 
 produce Agyrius for witnels. Conie up. 
 
 The witnefs. 
 Now I judge it is fufficiently evident to you, that we 
 made a covenant, not as Pafio pretends, but as I have told 
 you. It is not to be wondered, O judges ! if he adulterated 
 the writing, not only becaufe many fuch things have already 
 been done, but becaufe fome of thofe, who are familiar 
 with Pafio> have committed far more grievous things ; for 
 who knows not that Pythodorus, who is wont to fay or do 
 any thing for Pafio, the foregoing year opened the urns, 
 and took out thence the judges names, which had been 
 thrown in by the fenate ? But if a perfort dared, for a 
 triling gain, at the peril of his life, to open thefe, which 
 were fealed by the confuls, aediles, and queftors, and were 
 kept in the citadel, what wonder is it if they changed the 
 writings left with a ftranger, when they were to gain by if- 
 fuch a fum of money, whether by corrupting his men, or 
 any other ftratagem ? I do not know there is need of fay- 
 ing more on this fubjecS^. 
 
 .Now, Pafio has endeavoured to perfuade fome, that I 
 had no money at all here ; faying, I borrowed of Stratocles 
 three hundred flateres. It is therefore worth while that you 
 (Hould hear of this, that you may know, in reliance upon 
 what arguments he defrauds me of my money : for I 
 judges, when Stratocles was failing.into Pontus, having a 
 mmd to Lranfport as much money thence as I could, a(ked 
 of Stratocles that he would leave his gold widh me, and re^ 
 ceive it again in Pontus of my fkther; thinking I fhould 
 have a confiderable advantage if my money was in no dan- 
 ger by the voyage ; efpecially as the Lacedsemonians were 
 at that time mafters of the fea. I therefore think this is na 
 fign that I had no money; but I hope thofe things will be 
 moft firm proofs, that I had money with Pafio, which wat 
 tranfaaed with Stratocles ; for Stratocles afking who would 
 re^ay h:m his money, if my father did not perform what 
 was mentioned in the letters, or he, returning hither^ 
 fhould not find me, I brgught Pafio into converfation with 
 
 hlm§ 
 
 
 
 
 tff^" 
 
 ■ •i ■■ 
 
 1-^ 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 267 
 
 him ; and he faid, he would, in that cafe, give him both 
 principal and intereft. But, had there been nothing of 
 mine depofited with him, do you think he would have been 
 fuch a ready fecurity for fo much money? Let the wit- 
 nefles come forth. 
 
 The witnefTes. 
 
 Perhaps, O judges ! he will produce wltneiTes, that I 
 denied, before the agents of Satyrus, that I had any thing 
 befides what I had delivered to them; and that he had 
 feized my goods on my own confeflion, that I owed him 
 three hundred drachmaes ; and had permitted Hippolaides, 
 my gueft and friend, to borrow of him. I indeed, O judges! 
 reduced to thofe difficulties, which I have mentioned, and 
 fpoiled of what I had at home^ and forced to give up to 
 thofe who were come hither what I had here, upon confi- 
 deration that nothing would be left me, if I did not conceal 
 fomething, I deny it not, that he retaining the gold which 
 was truiled with him, I confelTed, that i owed him befides 
 three hundred drachmaes ; and, in other refpecls, I (o a£led 
 and fpoke, as, I thought, would moft eafily perfuade them 
 thajt I had nothing here. You will eafily underftand, that 
 this v<a5 not done by. me out of poverty ; but that I might 
 gain credit with them. In the firft place, I will produce 
 you witnelTes, who know that I brought with me many 
 riches from Pontus ; then thofe who faw me ufe his ex- 
 change-table; thofe befides, with whom, at the fame time, 
 i changed above a thoufand ftateres. Add to this, that a 
 tribute being laid, and other orders given, I and mine con- 
 Uibuted the moft of all ftrangers : and 1 fubfcribed my name 
 to- the largeft contribution ; but apologifed to the queftors 
 for Pafio, becaufe he ufed my money. Let the witnefi'es of ^ 
 this ft and forth. 
 
 fr WitnefTes. 
 
 But I will ftiew Pafio giving the fame teftlmony to thefc 
 adlions with others. A certain perfon declared a (hip of 
 burden, on board of which I had put a great many goods, 
 to belong to one of Delos ; I contending for the contrary; 
 and requiring that it fhould be brought into port, they who 
 
 I i lo\'e 
 
3.68 The R A T I O N S 
 
 . love to calumniate, fo difpoft^d the fenatc, that 1 had pJ/rio/l' 
 been ruined without a hearing of my caufe. But at length 
 they were perfuaded to take fecurities for me ; and Philip 
 indeed, my father's gueft, being fent for, and appearing^ 
 frighted with the grcatnefs of the danger, withdrew himfeff. 
 But Pafio procured for me Archeftratus the banker as fecu- 
 rity, who was bound forme in the penalty of kven taknts; 
 but had he been in danger of lofnig but a fmall matter, and 
 known I had nothing here, he certainly would never have 
 been my fecurity for fo great a fum. Now, it is evident, 
 that, to gratify mc, he had demanded of me three hundred 
 drachmaes ; but became thus refponfor for feven talents, * 
 becaufe he thought he had a fufficient pledge in his own 
 hands, the gold which was dcpofitcd with him. I have 
 therefore proved, that I had a large fum of money here, 
 and that it was depofited in his bank, by Pafio's adiions, 
 ind you have heard it from thofe who were privy to it. 
 
 It feems to me, O judges ! that you will beft compre- 
 hend what we contend about, if you remember thofe times, 
 and in what fituation our affairs were, when I fentMene- 
 xenus and Philomelus to require the dcpofitum, and Pafia 
 for the firft time dared to deny it ; for you will find, that 
 my father was then fpoiled of all, and caft into prifon ; and" 
 that it was not then permitted me to {lay here, or fai! into 
 Pontus. Now, which is more probable, that I, plunged 
 in fo many calamities, fhould have accufed him unjuftly^ 
 or that he, on account of the greatnefs of my misfortunes^ 
 or of the largenefs of the fum, was tempted and pufiied on 
 to the commiflion of fuch a piece of fraud r For who ever 
 arrived at that pitch of calumny, that while he was in dan- 
 ger of his own life, he would lay fnares for the life of 
 others ? But with what hopes, or with what view, could 
 I be an unjuft aggreflbr ? What ! hoping that, out of fear 
 of my power, he would immediately pay the money ! But 
 this could not be fo. Or did I think, by bringing him un- 
 juftly before court, I fhould have the advantage in your fa- 
 vour over him? I, who was preparing to be gone, for fear 
 Satyraus ihould demand mc of you. . What ! was it, that, 
 
 iho' 
 
 of r S O C R A T E S. 369 
 
 Iho' I fliould gain nothing by it, I would mal- c him my 
 chemy, whofe friendfliip I had ufed above any others in he 
 city } Will any one amongft you condemn me of fuch 
 madnefs or ignorance f 
 
 It is worth while, O judges! to confider the abfurdity 
 and incredibility of thofe things, which Pafio endeavours to 
 advance ; for, when I was in fuch circumflances^ that had 
 he confefled he had defrauded me of moneys I could not 
 then have profccutcd my right, at that time he accufed me 
 of bringing an unjuft fuit againft him : but after I was freed 
 from accufations to Satyrus, and all men thought he would 
 be convicted in judgment, he aflertsj that I had freed him 
 from any claim of mine whatfoever. Now, what can be 
 imagined more abfurd than thefe things ? But not only in 
 thefe regards, but in other things, he evidently appears to 
 fpeak and a6l in contradidion to himfelf, who has faid, the 
 boy was carried into foreign places by us, whom he had 
 concealed himfelf, and, when a poll was taken, had writ- 
 ten him down a flave with his other fervants ; but, when 
 Menexenus required he fhould be tortured, he forced him 
 from us, as if he had been a free perfon : befides, tho' he 
 had defrauded me, he dared to accufe us of having fix ta- 
 lents, which we received at his counting-table. But how 
 is it fitting to believe him for what he tranfafled with me 
 in private, when he endeavours fo openly to lye in what is 
 manifefl? Laflly, O judges ! having promifed to fail to 
 Satyrus, and do what he decreed, in this likewife he de- 
 ceived me ; for he refufed himfelf to fail, tho' I often re- 
 quired him; but he fcnt Cittus, who being come thither, 
 faid, he was a free man 5 by his race a Milefian ; and that 
 Pafio had fent him to inform him about the controverted 
 money. But Satyrus having heard both of us, would not 
 give his judgment of contrails made here ; efpecially as 
 Pafio was not prefent, nor difpofed to do what he fliould 
 decree. But he judged I fufFered fuch a fignal injury, that 
 calling the failors, he defired of them to affifl me, nor per- 
 mit I fhould be fo wronged ; and writing a letter, he gave it 
 to be delivered to Zenotimus the fon of Carcinus. Read it. 
 
 B b The 
 
3^0 The O R A T I O N S, &c. 
 
 The letter. 
 
 And now, tho*, O judges ! my caufe is fo equitable, i 
 think this the ftrongelt teftimony that Pafio defrauded mr 
 of money, becaufe he would not give up the boy t^ tor--, 
 ture : and what proof can be greater than the torture, in 
 regard of fuch contrads with bankers ? for witncfies arc^ 
 not ufcd in dealing with them.^ I likewife fee you^ both in 
 private and public affairs, think nothing more deferving of 
 credit, or truer, than confeflions in tortuie ; for that it fa 
 may happen, that witine£es may be fuborned to things that 
 were never done : but that tortures evidently (hew who- 
 fpcaks truth j which be well knowing,, chofe rather that 
 you fhould judge by conjecture, than be better informed. 
 For he cannot pretend this, that if the queftion had bcea 
 put to the boy, he would have had the difad vantage ; and 
 that therefore he would not deliver the youth up : for you. 
 all perceive, that if' he faid any thing againft Pafio, the boy 
 would, all the remainder of his life, perifli by degrees in 
 the moft cruel manner ; but did he perfevere, that he would 
 be made free, and partaker of the other^s fraud : yet though 
 Pafio was to have had fuch an advantage, being confcious of 
 what he had done, he ventured to decline the judgment, and 
 undergo more accufations,. that no examination hy torture 
 might be made into this aiFair. 
 
 I THEREFORE befecch you, that remembring thefe 
 
 things, you will condemn Palio, nor judge me guilty of fa 
 
 great improbity, as that living in Pontusy and pofiefling 
 
 fuch riches, and in a capacity of benefiting others, I am 
 
 come hither to calumniate Paiio, and accufe him fatfly of 
 
 violating his truft. It is likewife juft you (liould have a 
 
 regard to Satyrus and my father, who at all times efteemed 
 
 you preferably to all other Greeks, and often have granted 
 
 you to export corn, when they fcnt away the fhips of 
 
 others unladen 5 and, in private judicatures, you have not 
 
 only equal law amoagii us, but even fuperiority in your 
 
 favour. I therefore befeech you, both on my own account, 
 
 as weH as theirs, to decree juftice 5 nor believe the falfe 
 
 oration of Pafio truer than mine. 
 
 THE 
 
 ii 
 
 ' 
 
 THE EIGHTEENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCr AXES: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft Callimachus. 
 
 \' A 
 
 B b 2 
 
 r^ 
 
[ 373 ] 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 t TSANJi_BR, the Lacedcemonian gene- 
 ^*^ raly having conquered the Athenians at 
 Mgifpotofrdy t$ok their dty, demoliJ}:edits waSs^ 
 and changed the democracy into an oligarchy : he 
 ^ appointed thirty magijirates for the government 
 of the city^ who afterwards ^ on account of their 
 crueltv^ were called tyrants^ and afedition ari- 
 fmgy were made private men again by Thrafy^ 
 bulus. After the troubles of the city were fettled^ 
 be made a law for the oblivion of injuries ^ which 
 had been done informer times by both parties. A 
 certain perfon^ tloereforCy bei??g accufed by a fyco- 
 phant called CallimachuSy of having in thofe tmes 
 extorted money from him^ the other denies any 
 Juitjhould be commenced againft him for aSfions^ 
 done in thofe times ^ and, in the Jecofid place y 
 proves, that if Callimachus might plead, yet that 
 no injury had been done him \ and offers to de-- 
 monjirate it, declining all advantages of the 
 pajfed law. 
 
 1^1 
 
 . <\ 
 
 lA 
 
 THE EIGHTEENTH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft Callimachus- 
 
 IF any other had pleaded in a like caufe, I would have 
 taken my exordium from the fubjed. But there is 
 now a neceflity I (hould fpeak of the law, by which 
 we come for judgment ; that being informed about what we 
 contend, you may give your fufFrages. Let no one of you 
 admire, that I, who am accufed, fpeak before the ace ufer ; 
 for after you returned from the Pyraeum into the city, you 
 faw fome of the citizens excited to calumny, and endea- 
 vouring to break the covenants. Having a mind therefore 
 to reftrain thefe, and fhew to others, that you had not done 
 thefe things by compulfion, but becaufe you judged theiti 
 beneficial to the city, Archinus propofing it, you enaded a 
 law, " that if any, contrary to oath, (hould commence a 
 •< fuit, it fhould be permitted the accufed to ufe the plea of 
 ** tranflation of the caufe; and that the praetors fhould, the 
 <^ firft opportunity, propofe the caufe ; and that he who 
 " ufed the fore-mentioned plea, fhould fpeak in the firft 
 •^ place; and whoever lofl his caufe, fliould pay a fine: 
 « that thofe who endeavoured to recal to mind old injuries, 
 ** fhould not only be convi6^ed t)f perjury, or expeft only 
 ^< punifhment from the gods, but likewife be punifhed oii 
 ** the fpot." I therefore thought it unjufl, when the law 
 
 B b 3 ran 
 
374 The ORATIONS 
 
 ran thus, to fufFer the calumniator to begin a fuit againft 
 me at the peril only of thirty drachmaes, while I muft be 
 brought into the danger of all my fubftance. But I will 
 (hew, that Callimachus docs iiot only commence this fuit 
 againft the agreements, but is guilty of falfity in his accu- 
 fations ; and that there has already pafTed betwixt us an ar- 
 bitration. I will explain to you from the beginning how 
 things were done ; for if you know this, that he has f^jf- 
 fcred no evil from mc, I judge you will the more willingly 
 defend the amnefty, and be more incenfed againft him. 
 
 The Decemviri governed, who fucceeded the thirty 
 tyrants : Patrocles being my friend, who then reigned, I 
 happened to be walking with him. Now, he who was an 
 enemy to Callimachus, who profecutes me, met him as he 
 was carrying money. Having a mind to extort it from 
 bim, he told him he {hould keep his money i but on con- 
 dition he would appropriate it to the public: but while they 
 were contending about this, and abufive words arofe be- 
 twixt them, many others ran up to us, and by chanceOinon, 
 cne of the Decemviri, came likewifp, Patrocles there- 
 fore immediately referred to him the determination about 
 the money j but he carried both of them befofe hij> co^- 
 legues i and they referred the whole affair to the fenate. /i 
 judgment being given, the money was declared to belong 
 to the public. But afterwards, when the exiles were re- 
 turned from the Piraeus, he accufed Patrocles, and lodged 
 a fuit againft him, as the caufe of his calamity. But when 
 he had made the matter up with him, and had extorted 
 frcyp him ten minaes, he accufed Lyfimachus. PJaving 
 lifcewife received from him two hundred drachmaes, he g^vc 
 me trouble. And, iirft, he accufed me, faying, that I had 
 ailifted them. At length he arrived at that pitch of impu- 
 dence, that he accufed me of all that had been done^ which, 
 perhaps, he will dare to calumniate me of at prefent. But 
 I will produce you witneifes -, firft, fuch as were prefent 
 from the beginning, that I neither took or touched the mo- 
 ney J then the collegues, who will fi'v, that it v^'as Patro- 
 
 J cles. 
 
 '1 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 .'t 
 
 /' 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 375 
 
 cles, and not I, who had referred the affair to them, that 
 they might pafs their fentence ; befides the fenators, who 
 vrill fay he was the accufer. Call the witnefTes of thefe things, 
 
 Witnefi'es. 
 Tho' fo many were prefent at thefe a£lions, yet, as if 
 no one had been, he mixed himfelf with crowds, and fitting 
 in fliops, made difcourfes, as if he had fuffered grievous 
 injuries from me, and had been deprived ©f his money. 
 Some of thofe who were his friends coming to me, perfuaded 
 me to end the controverfy with him, nor chufe to be de- 
 famed, nor hazard by it a great fum, altho' I migl.t truft 
 much in my caufe i adding, many things happen in judg- 
 men contrary to expe£lation ; and that the caufes which 
 are brought before you, are rather determined by fortune 
 than equity : wherefore, they faid, it was better for me, 
 at a fmall expence, to be freed from a heavy charge, than 
 that tho' I fhould pay nothing, yet once to be brought into 
 danger about things of fuch moment. Why fhould I in 
 particular mention to you thofe things ? Moft of them I 
 have omitted, which are wont to be faid on fuch an occa- 
 fion. I was therefore perfuaded (for I will confefs to you 
 all the truth) to give him two hundred drachmaes j but, left 
 he fhould endeavour again to calumniate, we committed 
 the arbitration, under certain conditions, to Nicomachus 
 
 the Batenfian. 
 
 Witnefles. 
 And at firft he kept his agreement ; but afterwards he 
 machinated a new fraud, with Xenotimus, who adul- 
 terates writings, corrupts judgments by bribery, gives trou- 
 ble to the magiftrates, and is tlie author of all manner of 
 evils ; and thus lodges againft me a fuit of ten thoufarid 
 drachmaes : but when I had produced witnefTes that the 
 fuit could not be carried on, becaufe an arbitration had in- 
 terceded, he did not continue that adtion ; for he knew, 
 that fhould he have but the fifth part of the fufFrages, he 
 muft pay the fine. But when he had won over the magi- 
 ftracy, he again lodged the fame charge againft me, as 
 
 B b 4 being 
 
376 The ORATION S. 
 
 being now in danger only of the fportulae, or a fmallcr fine. 
 Being doubtful in thefe ftreights what I ihould do, I thought 
 it moft advifeable to come before you, with equal danger 
 to both. And thefe are the real fads, which I have related. 
 
 Now, I hear that Callimachus has not only a defign of 
 Ipeaking untruly about the crimes, but of denying the arbi- 
 tration, and being ready of making fuch a difcourfc, that 
 he never permitted an arbitration to Nicomachus, whom he 
 knew to be our ancient friend ; nor was it congruous thtt 
 he would take two hundred drachmaes in lieu often thou-< 
 fand. But do you reflect, that we permitted the arbitra- 
 tion to Nicomachus, not engaged together in a fuit, but 
 upon certain prudential conditions : wherefore it was no 
 abfurdity in him to chufe Nicomachus for arbitrator ; but 
 he would have done more abfurdly, if, after he had agreed 
 about the matter, he had made difficulty about the arbitra- 
 tor. Again, had ten thoufand drachmaes indeed been ow- 
 ing to him, it is not probable he vwuld have accepted of 
 two hundred to flop the proceedings : but feeing he unjuftly 
 calumniated and accufed me, it is no Wonder, if he was 
 willing to accept fo fmall a fum. Befides, if after he had 
 required a great deal, he accepted of a little, he cannot draw 
 hence a firm argument in his own favour, that this arbitra- 
 tor never was ; but it is rather a certain proof, that he ac* 
 cufed me unjuftly from the beginning. But I wonder that 
 he thinks he fufficiently knows it is not probable he would 
 accept two hundred drachmaes for ten thoufand, and yet 
 imagines I could not have been cunning enough to fay, had 
 I been difpofed to fpeak a falfity, that I had given him more. 
 I defire at leaft, that as great an argument as it may feem 
 that there was no arbitration, becaufe (as he fays) he re- 
 fufed the money mentioned by the witneiies, it may feem as 
 great an argument in my favour, that I fpeak the truth, 
 becaufe it is certain he never laid any charge to the witnef- 
 fes ; but I think, that if there neither was an arbitration, 
 nor witnefles of what was done, and you were onl)' to con- 
 iider the affair by probabilities, that even fo it would be no 
 
 I difficult 
 
 
 
 t^^'' 
 
 x^: 
 
 m. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 377 
 
 difficult matter for you to find out the truth ; for if I had 
 even dared to have injured others, you might juftly con- 
 demn me as if I had trefpafl'ed againft him : but I {hall be 
 found to have injured no one of the citizens in his money, 
 or cxpofed him to the danger of his life, or to have blotted 
 out the names of any who were partakers of the govern- 
 ment, or have infcribed them in Pifander's catalogue. But 
 the wickednefs of the Thirty forced many to commit fuch 
 things ; for they did not only give impunity to the flagi- 
 tious, but even ordered fome to commit crimes : but I fhall 
 be found clear of any fuch actions, even under their go- 
 vernment ; yet, he fays, he received an injury from me, 
 when the Thirty were caft out, the Piraeus was taken, th« 
 people in power, and when difcourfes were held of a paci- 
 fication. Now, can it feem credible to you, that he who 
 had behaved himfelf with moderation under the thirty ty« 
 rants, fhould have deferred doing injury to thefe times, 
 when it even repented thofe who had tranfgrefled before? 
 But this is the greateft abfurdity of all, if I would not thea 
 punifh any of my enemies, but fhould have attempted to 
 injure thofe now, betwixt whom and me there never had 
 been any commerce. Now, I judge I have fufficiently dc- 
 monftrated, that I was not the caufe of Callimachus his 
 • money being confifcated. 
 
 But you will underftand, that tho' I had done all thofe 
 things at that time which he has alledged to me, he could 
 not ftill, by the public covenant, caufe me a law-fuit. Read 
 
 the codex. 
 
 The covenant. 
 Have I then, with fmall plea in law, put in my ex- 
 ception to his profecution ? Have I not rather the ftrongeft 
 right, fince the treaties openly acquit thofe who accufed any 
 one, or brought him before a magiftrate, or did any thing 
 of a like nature ? Whereas I can prove, that I have nei- 
 ther done fo, nor tranfgrefled in any thing clfe. Read roc 
 (he oath. 
 
 The path. 
 
378 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 Is not this atrocious, when the treaties are of this naturCi^ 
 ^d fuch ^n oath has been taken, that Callimachus fhould 
 io rely upon his eloquence, as to perfuade himfelf he can 
 pi^evail upon you to decree the contrary ? And indeed, did 
 he fee the city repent of what has been done, it would not 
 be reafonable for any one to wonder at him. Now, you 
 kave not only fliewn, by the enadion of a law, that yo*i 
 ^i^]y efleem the treaties ; but yov hav« thought proper ta 
 difmifs Philo the Caelaean, who was accufcd of a falfe em- 
 kaiTy, tho* he had nothing to plead in his defence, but tbo 
 treaties ; nor would you pafs judgment on him ; and the 
 city even does not think it proper to infli^l punifhment on 
 thofe who acknowledge their mifdeeds ; but this man dares 
 to calumniate thofe who have done nothing amifs. Nor is 
 this concealed from him, that Thrafybulus and Anytus^ 
 who at that time particularly flouriflied in the city, and 
 vere fpoiled of a great deal of money, and knew the preva- 
 ricators who had profcribed their goods, dare not lodge ^ 
 profecution againil them, nor make mention of the injuries. 
 Sut altho', in other refpecls, t;hey can efFed more than 
 others, yet, in what regards the treaties, they judge it equi- 
 4*ble that they {h<>uld have the fame law as their fqJlow-^ 
 citizens; nor have they only thought fo, but no one amongft 
 you has dared to begin fuch an adtion. Now, it would be 
 aiwuft that you fliculd i^eep your oath in your own regard, 
 4nd ye$ violate i| (or the (akq of Callimachus, and, by pub- 
 lic authority, caufe private contracts to be ratified, and yet 
 fufferany one to break thro' the city's covenants. But this 
 would be the moft wonderful of all, if, while it was doubt- 
 iu)i wb^t^her t^ia reconciliation would be beneficial to the 
 city, or not, you took fuch an oath abput it, that there 
 flfkpuld be a neceflity of {landing to the agreement; but that 
 aft^ it fucceeded fo w^ll, that iho' there had been no fecu- 
 tity given, yet it would be reafonable that you fhould pre- 
 ifrvc tbe prqf^t ilafe-of th« republic^ you fliould now vio* 
 late your folemn engagement ; and if you are incenfed at 
 Jhofe who fay ^'ou ought to annul jour covenants, and yet 
 
 kt 
 
 K 
 
 in 
 
 [' 
 
 n 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 379 
 
 let him pafs with impunity who has dared to tranfgrefs them 
 when written. You would, by this means, neither a6J: 
 juflly, nor do what is agreeable to your former decrees, 
 Reflea likewife, that you are aflembled to judge of things 
 of the higheft importance ; for you will give your fuffrages 
 about the public treaties, which it never benefitted you to 
 have violated in rcfpeft of others, or others in refped: of 
 you. Now, they have that force, that moft things which 
 ^re done in human life, both amongft the Greeks and Bar^ 
 barians, are tranfaded by covenants ; for by relying on 
 them, we approach one another, and have mutual commerce 
 in regard of what we want ; by them we make contra(5J:s 
 betwixt ourfelves, and compofe private quarrrels, and mu- 
 tual wars ; and all mankind ufe this method continually, as 
 an univerfal good : wherefore it is proper for all to main- 
 tain treaties, and for us particularly ; for of late, when we 
 were conquered in war, and brought under the power of 
 our enemy, many being defirous of ruining our city, we 
 had recourfe to oaths and covenants, which fhould the La- 
 cedaemonians violate, there is none of us but would be filled 
 with indignation. But how can any one accufe another 
 for what he is guilty of himfelf? To whom fhould wo 
 feemto fuffcr injuftice, if we fhould be, contrary to cove- 
 nants, ill-treated, if we appear to have no regard for them 
 ourfelves ? Or what credit fhall we gain with others, if we 
 fo rafhly break through the faith that Has been mutually 
 interchanged amongft ourfelves ? It is likewife worthy of 
 confideration, that tho' many and noble things have been 
 done by our anceftors in war, yet our city is not, in the 
 leaft degree, rendered famous for this reconciliation ; for 
 we fhall find many cities to have fought bravely, but no 
 one to have better con fulted public concord and agreement. 
 Bcfides, \ve may afcribe the greateft part of thofe things, 
 which are done with danger, to fortune ; but no one can 
 imagine any thing elfe to have been the caufe of our mode- 
 ration amongft ourfelves, but our prudence : wherefore it 
 i§ no ways juft that wc fhould be betrayers of this glory. 
 
 Nor 
 
 < 
 
S8o The ORATIONS 
 
 Nor let any one think, that I exceed rcafon, or fpcak more 
 than truth, becaufe I have faid this in my private caufe. 
 TTiis a£lion is not brought againft me alone, but ao-ainft 
 you, by vj^hat has been lately fkid before, for which no one 
 can fpeak fuitable to the occafion, nor appoint a fuiEcient 
 fine ; for this difpute differs from all others in this, that it 
 docs not only concern thofe vt^ho difpute, but the whok 
 community. You are to determine about this, obliged by 
 two oaths J the one fuch as you take in common affairs, 
 but the other fuch as you take in a public treaty. If you 
 judge wrong in this cafe, you will not only violate the laws 
 of the city, but violate the common law of all nations : 
 wherefore it becomes you the leafl of all, neither to pafs 
 that judgment by favour, by lenity, or any thing elfe, but 
 your own folemn agreement about the cafe in queftion : I 
 %, it is both becoming for you, expedient, and juft, that 
 you (hould fo decree about the covenant ; nor do I think 
 that Callimachus himfelf can deny it. 
 
 I JUDGE, that he will deplore his prefent indigence, and 
 the calamity which has befallen him ; and fay, that he has 
 fufFered cruel injuftice, if, for that mon^ which he was 
 deprived of in the oligarchy, he fhould pay a fine in the 
 democracy ; and that if he was then, for his wealth, forced 
 into^ banifhment, he (hould now, when he ought to take 
 punifhment of others, be rendered fcandalous. He will accufc 
 thofe anions which have been done in the change of the 
 republic, hoping thereby to raife your indignation. Perhaps 
 be has heard fuch a report, that, when you cannot find the 
 guUty, you punifn the innocent I neither think you of 
 fuch a difpofition, nor do I think it in the leafl difficult to 
 finfwer the fore-mentioned difcourfes. As for what regards 
 moving lamentations, I afHrm, you ought not to a/Tifl thofe 
 ivho fhew themfelves to be miferable, but thofe who fpeak 
 what feems more equitable about what they have fwore 
 Eut as for the fine, was I the author of thefe things, you 
 woyld defervedly condole with him, was he to fufFer a pe- 
 nalty; but he himfelf is the v^ry per fon who calumniates 
 
 another ; 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 t ml 
 
 fu 
 
 'b^- 
 
 Tjf- 
 
 wis" 
 
 r. 
 
 of I S O C R A T E &. 3&f 
 
 EflOther: wherefore you cannot in juftice approve any- 
 thing while he alone fpeaks it. Then, you ought to con-- 
 fider this, that all thofe who returned from the Piraeus, may 
 hold the fame difcourfe as he, none of whom commenced 
 fuch a fuit. Now, you ought to htte thofe, arid think them 
 bad citizens, who have fufFered the fame calamities as the 
 raultitudc, but wouM take a peculiar and different revenge, 
 Befides, it is yet permitted him, before he runs the hazard 
 of your fentence, by dropping the fuit, to be free from all 
 tcoable ; and how can it be other wife than abfurd to defu-e 
 pity fro;n you in his danger, whicK is entirely in his own 
 power, into which he cafts himfelf, and which it is aow 
 ia his option to avoid ? But if he calls to mind what was 
 done in the oligarchy, require of him not to bring his ac- 
 cufation of fuch thin^ as none will give an anfwer to ; 
 but prove to you that I took his money, about which yon 
 are to pafs your fentence : nor fhew that he has under- 
 gone unworthy treatment; but demonftrate me to have 
 teen the caufe, and that therefore he thinks it jufl to reco- 
 ver damage of me : for fhould he litigate with any other 
 citizen, he might dwell on his hard circumflances ; but 
 tkofe accufations fhould not have weight with you, which 
 raay be laid againfl thofe who have done nothing amifs ; but ' 
 fuch as cannot be made but of fuch as have done injuflice- 
 Wherefore, to refute his allegation hitherto, perhaps thefc 
 things may fuflice, and I (hall have an opportunity of fpeak-' 
 ing fhortly more. 
 
 But refled (tho' I may feem to fome to handle twice 
 the fame topic) that a great many will be attentive to this 
 judgment, not heeding my affair, but thinking fentence is 
 to be given of the whole league, whom you will caufe to 
 dwell in the city with fafety, if you decree JufWy; but if 
 otherwife, what courage do you think thefe will have, who 
 ftay in the city, if you feem alike angry with all who have 
 been partakers of diis republic ? And what fecurity will 
 they think themfelves in, who are confcious to themfelves 
 ^ even a fmall crime, when they fee, that thofe who have 
 
 behaved 
 
 .T 
 
384 The ORATIONS 
 
 tion, and he had witnefTed before you, that the woman waiJ 
 dead, they who were friends to Cratinus, entering by force 
 iiic houfe, and fcizing her, brought her into court, and 
 prefented her alive before all ; fo that there being kwcn 
 hundred judges, and fourteen of them giving fentence, he 
 had not fo much as one fuffrage. Call the witnefTes of thefe 
 things. 
 
 WitnefTes. 
 
 Who therefore can fuificiently cxcufe thofe things which 
 ircre done by him ? or who find an example of more fla- 
 grant improbity, injuftice, and calumny ? Some injuflices 
 do not difclofe all the difpofition of the delinquents ; but It 
 is eafy to comprehend mens whole lives by fuch horrid 
 anions : for what villainy will they abflain from, who will 
 afTert the living to be dead ? Or, if a man be wicked for 
 2r ther's intercfl, what would he not do for his own? 
 And how can any one believe this man, when he fpeaks 
 for himWf, who is convided of having perjured himfelf for 
 another ? For who ever was more clearly proved to have 
 given a falfe witnefs ? You judge of others by what is faid 
 to refute them ; but the judges faw with their own eyes the 
 faliity of this man's teftimony ; and will he dare, after hav-« 
 ing been guilty of fuch improbity, to accufe us of falfity r 
 a£ling jufl in fuch a manner, as if Phrynondas fhould object 
 fraud, or Philergus, who flole the flatue of Gorgon, fhould 
 call others facrilegious ; for whom can we imagine more 
 likely to fuborn falfe witnefies, than he who dares to give 
 a falfe teflimony for others ? 
 
 But it will be permitted often to accufe Callimachus, he 
 has led fuch a life in the republic. As for what regards my- 
 felf, I (hall omit all my other public ofHces; but I will 
 make mention of this, on account of whieh you ought nou 
 cnly to have gratitude to me, but may ufe it as a teftimony 
 of all my others ; for when our city had lofl its fliips in the 
 HcUefpont, . and was deprived of fovereignty, I fo far ex- 
 celled moil of the captains, that I, with a few, faved my 
 ftiipj nay, fo far furpafTed them, that I alone returning 
 
 with 
 
 
 ' 
 
 L> 
 
 oflSOCRATES. 385 
 
 With ifiy Blip into the Pirseus, did not lay down my com- 
 million J but when others willingly evaded public ofEcesj 
 and defpaired about the prefent flate of things, and it re- 
 pented others of what they had expended; others hid what 
 remained them, and thought that the public was ruined^ 
 and confulted their own private intereflj I had not the fame 
 fentiments as they^ but aftcf I had pcrfuaded my brother, 
 that he, along with me, would perform the office of trJe- 
 farch, having paid the failors with our moneys we infefled 
 the enemy» Laflly, when Lyfander had decreed, that if 
 any fhould import com to you, he fhould be punifhed with 
 death, we were fo afFedionate to the city, that when others 
 durft not bring in their own cornj we, interceptino- that 
 Which was carrying to them, brought it to thePirxus; for 
 which benefits you decreed we fhould be honoured with 
 crowns, and be celebrated by heraldry before the flatues of 
 Hercules, as authors of great and fingular benefits. 
 
 But you ought to elteem thofe popular, who not only 
 while the people enjoyed the power defired to be partakers 
 of the f^ate; but who, when the republic was afflid^ed 
 chofc to rifk their lives for you 5 and ought to be grateful, 
 not becaufe a perfon has been calamitous, but becaufe he 
 has done you fignal benefits; and not pity fuch as are be- 
 come poor by lollng their fubflance, but fuch as are fo by 
 having employed their money in your fervice, one of whom 
 I fhall be found to be ; who would be the moft unhappy of 
 all men, if, after having been at great expence for the ftate 
 out of my own private purfe, I fhould feem now to lay 
 fnares for that of another man, and fet light by fufFering a 
 a public ignominy before you, who not only will appear to 
 have poflponed my private fortune, but my very life, to be 
 efleemed and praifed by you. Whom of you would it not 
 grieve, if not immediately, yet; in a fhort time, if you 
 fhould fee this calumniator become rich, but me deprived 
 even of what I had left myfelf from expences in public offi- 
 ces; and that he who never would undergo an v dancers 
 for you, fhould have more power than the laws and trea- 
 
 C c ties; 
 
'iH 
 
 386 The ORATIONS, &c. 
 
 ties ; and I, who was always fo afFe6lionate to the cityt 
 (hould not be thought worthy of common equity ! Who 
 is there would not blame you, if perfuaded by the words of 
 Callimachus, you fhould condemn me of fo great improbity, 
 whom, after mature judgment from the fads themfelves, 
 you crowned for bravery, when it was not fo cafy as now 
 to obtain fuch an honour ? There is fomething very dif- 
 ferent happens to me and others ; for they renew the me- 
 mory of thofe who have received benefits; but I defire 
 that you would remember the benefits which you have con- 
 ferred, that they may be a teftimony to you of all my words 
 and inftitutes : for it is clear, that we did not render our- 
 felves worthy of this honour, that the oligarchy being efta- 
 blifhed, we might plunder the fubftance of others ; but that 
 the city being faved, both others might hold their own, and 
 gratitude might be owing to us from the multitude of citi- 
 zens : which we now defire, not in a view of having more 
 than our right, but declaring we have done no injury, but 
 ftand to public oaths and covenants ; for it would be abfurd 
 that they fhould be ratified for thofe who have injured 
 others, and free them from dangers, and be made void for 
 us, who have deferved fo well of the city. It is worth 
 while to obferve the ftate of things, and to reflect, that 
 covenants have been the caufe that fome cities have been 
 vexed with feditions, but have been the caufe that ours has 
 enjoyed greater concord ; which you reaiembring, ought 
 to decree what is juft and equitable. 
 
 if 
 
 
 r1 
 
 THE NINETEENTH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCRATES: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 The ^GINETIC. 
 
 m i — 
 
 ••MMMMs-ii*. 
 
 \1 
 
 C C 2 
 
 THE 
 
 >«"S1 
 
[389] 
 
 v 
 
 t 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 / 
 
 T was called the Mginetic, from its being 
 
 fpokcn in the ijland of Mgtna^ 'where this 
 
 controverfy was brought before thejzlages. The 
 
 quejlion is about the inheritance of one Thrafylo- 
 
 chuSj who adopted a friend who had defi'r^ed 
 
 farticularly weU of him, made him his heir, 
 
 and gave him hisfjler for wife. The baftard- 
 
 fjier ofThrafylochus puts in her claim of confan-- 
 
 guinity, demands the inheritance , and endeavours 
 
 to invalidate the will j and relates her kind 
 
 ' asfionsy a?id the friendjhip which Jhf had for 
 
 Thrafyhchus and his family. 
 
 ■1 5 
 
 ^; 
 
 
 si 
 
 
 THE NINETEENTH 
 
 Oration of Is ocRATfes 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 The -^ g I n e t I c, 
 
 I Thought, O men of -^glna ! that Thrafylochus 
 had taken fuch prudent meafures about his affairs, that 
 no one would oppofe his gifts by will : but fmce the 
 adverfaries have the intention of contending for what he 
 had fo ftrongly ratified, there is a neceifity that we ihould 
 endeavour to obtain juftice from you. And though I fee 
 others take it heavily to be brought upon any account un* 
 juftly into danger; I am almoft difpofed to give them 
 thanks that they have commenced this fuit againft me; for 
 if the affair had not Ltren brought before the judge, you 
 would not have known after what merits I became the dead 
 perfon's heir ; but after the expofition of all the fadts, you 
 will perceive, that I was worthy of a ftill greater reward* 
 Now, it would be but jufl, that fhe who contends for thefe 
 goods, fhould not only endeavour to obtain Thrafylochus's 
 fubflance, but fhew, that (he is deferving of fucceeding to 
 his inheritance, upon account of her behaviour to him ; 
 but fhe is fo far from repenting of what (be did againft him 
 in his life-time, that when he is dead, fhe endeavours to 
 make void his will, and ruin his family. I wonder if thoAf 
 who plead for her think this ftrife reputable, becaufe they 
 are to pay nothing, tho* they be confuted j for I think this 
 a great mulft, that perfons are convinced, by their unjufl 
 
 C c 3 pre* 
 
390 The ORATIONS 
 
 prctenfions, of meditated improbity ; and you will knowr 
 their malice from the fads themfelves, when you have once 
 heard them to the end. 
 
 I WILL begin from thofe things, whereby, I judge, you 
 will moft quickly underftand the ftate of our queflion. 
 Thrafylochus, the father of him who conftituted me heir 
 by will, left no eftate received from his anceftors; but 
 becoming a gueft of Polemaenetus the prophet, he lived with 
 him fo friendly, that this prophet, at his death, left him his 
 books of divination, and gave him likewife a part of thofe 
 goods which now remain. Now, Thrafylochus having 
 received fuch advantages, ufed this art ; and becoming a 
 traveller, dwelt in feveral cities, and had intimacy with fe- 
 veral women, fome of whom had children, whom he never 
 efteemed legitimate ; and in thofe times took to him the 
 mother of my adverfary : but after he had acquired great 
 wealth, and defired again his own country, he quitted both 
 her and all the reft ; and having failed into Siphnos, he mar- 
 ried my father's fifter, one of the chief amongft the citizens 
 for riches, knowing that our family excelled others in 
 dignity and other precedencies. Now, he fo vehemently 
 loved the friendfhip of my father, that (he dying without 
 children, he married again my father's coufm, becaufe he 
 wouM not have that affinity diflblvci- betwixt us; but when 
 he had not long cohabited with her, the fame fate attended 
 ' her as the former. After this, he married a wife from Se- 
 rippos, of parents more noble than might be expelled in 
 that ifland ; from which marriage was born Sopolis, Thra^ 
 fylochus, and my prefent wife; wherefore Thrafylochus 
 judging thofe his only legitimate children, having made 
 them his heirs, finiflied his life ; but I and Thrafylochus 
 having received fo great a tranfmitted friendfhip from our 
 parents, as I lately mentioned, made itIWi greater than it 
 was before. While we were ftill boys, we efteemed one 
 another more than brothers ; nor did wc celebrate a facri-* 
 (ice, fpedacle, or any other feftival, feparate ; but aftei? 
 >ve became men, we never adlcd any thing in oppofitior\ 
 
 -:■'»■■ 
 
 ■*?:* 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 391 
 
 to one another, but we communicated our private fenti- 
 xnents, and were of the fame difpofitlon in regard of the 
 public. Why need I dwell longer on our domeftic familia- 
 rity, when we could not be torn afunder by baniftiment- 
 itfelf ? But he falling into a confumption, and being fick 
 a long time, his brother Sopolis being dead, and his mother 
 and fifter not yet come, in the midft of fuch follicitude, I 
 fo well and diligently took care of him, that he thought he 
 never could return me fufficient gratitude ; yet he omitted 
 nothing to that purpofe, but, being grievoufly tormented 
 by his diftemper, nor having any hopes of life, calling in 
 witnefr«s, he adopted me, and gave me his fifter, and all 
 his fubftance. Take the will. 
 
 The will. 
 Recite me likewife the iEginetic law ; for, according to it, 
 the will muft have been made, as we were come hither 
 
 from our own country. , 
 
 The law. 
 
 According to this law, O menofiEgina! Thrafy- 
 lochus made me his fon, who was before his fellow-citi- 
 zen and friend, and educated and brought up in the fame 
 manner as he himfelf : wherefore I do not fee how he could 
 have a6ted more by the law, which orders perfons of the 
 lame condition to be adopted. Take likewife the law of the 
 Siphnians, by which we have been governed a longtime. 
 
 The law. 
 
 If indeed, O i^ginetians ! they had oppofed thofe laws 
 while they had that of their own people on their fide, it 
 would have lefs deferved wonder j but it i^ unanimous with 
 
 the other. Take the book. 
 
 The book. 
 
 What have they now to fay, fmce they confefs Thra- 
 fylochus left a -will i and you fee no law patronizes her's, 
 but all of them my plea ? In the firft place, that lawr 
 which prevails amongft you, who are to judge; then the 
 law of the Siphnians, amongft whom he was bom who 
 made the wilU 1^%> ^^^t which Is in force amongft thofe, 
 
 C c 4 who 
 
S92 The ORATIONS 
 
 who controvert the right with me. And what crime da 
 you think thofe would abilain from, who endeavour to per* 
 fuade you, that you ought to render null a wilJ, tho' the 
 laws are in favour of it, and you have fworn to judge by 
 thofe laws ? Nov/, I think, as for the fad itfelf, I have 
 fufHciently demonftrated all I defire. 
 
 But Icll any one fhould imagine, that I obtained the 
 inheriunce for flight reafons, or that fhe, tho* (he had be* 
 baved herfelf towards Thrafylochus as fhe ought, was dc^ 
 fi-auded of his fortune, I will explain myfelf on thefe.heads; 
 for I {hould be afhamed for the dead, unlefs you all believe, 
 that he has not only done this by law, but likewife, in tiic 
 nature of the thing, juftly. I think the proofs are ready ; 
 f jr they were fo at variance, that this woman, who pleads 
 her confanguinitv, continued always to carry on enormous 
 difputes with him., with Sopoldis, and their mother : but 
 I (hall not only be found to have deferved well in regard 
 of Thrafylochus and his brother, but likewife in regard of 
 the eftate in controverfy, above all his other friends fiho* it 
 will be troublcfome to fpeak of things a long time pafTed; 
 for when all the fubftance which he had ready and together 
 was lodge'd with my guefts (for we judged that ifland the 
 fafeft), others doubting, and believing the goods loft, I 
 paiTing by night in a veflel, exported thofe fums, not with-» 
 out the hazard of my body ; for the place was guarded by 
 the king's garriibn, and fome of our exiles had entered the 
 city, who, in one day, flew with their own hands my fa- 
 ther, uncle, and befides thofe, three coufms : but nothing 
 of this deterred me, but I pafled over in a fhip, thinking I 
 ought to undergo danger for them, as well as myfelf. Af- 
 terwards, when there was a general flight of the inhabitants 
 from the city, with fuch tumult and trepidation, that fome 
 deferted friends and relations, even in fuch calamities I did 
 not think it fufficient to fave my domeflics ; but knowing 
 Sopolis was abroad, and fick, I carried ofFfafe his mother^ 
 fiftcr, and all the riches with them. Now, who is it more 
 «*ii equitable 
 
 \^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 of I 8 O C R A T E S. j^j 
 
 •ijttitable fhould poflefs them than he who then preferved 
 them, and has now received them from the owners ? ^ 
 
 And thofe things I have now mentioned are fuch, as in " 
 regard of which I ran hazards indeed, but received no harmj 
 but I have ftili to mention, that, by endeavouring to gra* 
 tify him, I fell into the greateft calamities : for when wc 
 were come to Melos, and he perceived we were to flay 
 there, he b^ged of us that we would fail to Traezene^ and 
 not leave him y mentioning the infirmity of his body, and 
 the multitude of his enemies, and how, without me, he 
 could determine nothing about his aflfairs. Tho' my mo- 
 ther was afraid, becaufe fhe heard that place was unhealthy, 
 and friends advifed me to remain there, yet we judged pro- 
 per to comply with him ; and we no fooner reached almofl 
 Traezene, but we were feized by diftempers, and I had like 
 to have perifhcd : but as for my fifter, who was fourteen 
 years old, I buried her within thirty days, and my mother 
 not iivQ days after. What mufl the difpofition of my mind 
 be, do you think, upon fuch a change in my life ? who 
 formerly was unexperienced in calamities, but lately had 
 been forced into banifhment, to be a fojourner, and paft 
 without the aiTiftanqe of my own wealth. Add to this, that 
 J faw my mother and fifter driven from their couritry, and 
 ending tlieir lives in a foreign land, and amongft flrangers : 
 wherefore none can juftly envy me, if I have received fome 
 benefit from the eflate of Thrafylochus ; for in a view of 
 gratifying him, living abroad at Trsezenef I was afflicSlcd 
 with fuch calamities, as I fhall never forget. But my ene- 
 mies have not this to fay of me, that while Thrafylochus 
 was well, I underwent this, but, when he became burden- 
 fome, I deferted him, This they cannot fay ; for, in his 
 adverfity, I fhewed more evidently the love I had for him. 
 After he went abroad to i^gina, and fell into that diflem- 
 per of which he died, I took fuch care of him, as I know 
 not whether any other ever did of a friend; tho' he was verf 
 ill HKjfl of the time, not able to appear in public, and con-* 
 
 fined for (iH months to his bed 3 and none of his relation! 
 
 would 
 
394 The ORATIONS 
 
 would be partakers of fuch mifery, or even come to fee 
 him, except his mother and fifler, who increafed the other 
 calamity; for they came fo fick torn Traszene, that they 
 flood in need themfelves of a cure, and attendance. But 
 tho* others proved fuch towards him, I was never abfent, or 
 wearied; but I watched by him, with one boy, during his 
 illnefs, no one of the domeftics being able to endure it ; for 
 being naturally morofe, he became more fo in his diftem- 
 per : ^wherefore it is no wonder they would not continue in 
 fuch fervice ; but it is more to be wondered at, how I could 
 fiifBce in attending him through fo long a ftage of ficknefs, 
 who laboured a long time under a confumption, and could 
 not be moved out of bed, and fufFered fo much, that we 
 paiTed not one day without tears ; but continued lamenting 
 one another's labours, our exile, and daily foUicitude : and 
 this, was never intermitted; nor could I go away any where, 
 for fear of feeming to n€gle(^ him, which was more grie« 
 vous to me than the prefent calamities. I wifii I could 
 make evident to- you my behaviour towards him. Now, all 
 Ae greateft difficulties in attendance during ficknefs, the 
 particular troubles which have the moft difpleafuig tediouf- 
 Jiefs, and the clofeft care, cannot be conveniently men- 
 tioned ; but do you confider with yourfelves, what watch- 
 ings and miferies I muft have fuffered in fo long a care and 
 attendance during his illnefs ; for I was fo indifpofed my- 
 ielf, that all thafe friends who came to vifit me, iaid they 
 were afraid left I (hould perifh with him ; and counfelled 
 tne f o take care, for that many who had waited on perfons 
 in fuch a diftempcr, have died with them. To whom I 
 anfwered, that I had far rather die, than let him die before 
 hie time for want of due care. 
 
 • And tho' I was fuch in his regard, dares this woman 
 contend with me for his eftate ? fhe, who did not once 
 vouchfave to vifit him, tho' he was fick fb long a time, and 
 (be daily heard how he did, and the journey was eafy for 
 ht{ ? Will fhe attempt to call him by the name of bro- 
 Itrer ? as if, the more familiarly ti;uy fliie him now he is. 
 «"- . ' ' dead. 
 
 1 1 
 
 *-'-Ai 
 
 ^< 
 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S- 395 
 
 dead, they will not feem to have committed the more atrocc 
 and heinous crimes againft him. This woman, when he 
 had ended his life, having feen as many of our citizens as 
 were at Trsezene failing to iEgina, that they might bury 
 him, came not even at that time ; but behaved herfelf fo 
 cruelly and inhumanly, as not to deign to be at his burial j 
 but, in lefs than ten days, {he came to begin a controverfy 
 about his fubftance, as if (he had been not fo much related 
 to him as his money. But if fhe will confefs, that there 
 was fuch variance betwixt them, that (he did this juftly, 
 Thrafylochus did not imprudently confult his own intereft, 
 if he chofe rather to leave his eftate to friends, than to an 
 enemy ; or if, when there was no enmity betwixt them, 
 (he was fo negligent and wicked towards him, it is cer- 
 tainly more reafonable that (he fhould have been deprived of 
 his goods, than to have been made his heir. But do you 
 confider in yourfelves, that, as much as it depended upon 
 her, he neither would have had attendance nor a de- 
 cent funeral ; and that he had both by my means. Now, 
 it becomes you to pafs your fentence, not fo much regard- 
 ing if fome fay they^are the neareft relations to him, while 
 in fa6l they were enemies, as confidering thofe, who, tho* 
 they had not the name of relationfhip, yet behaved them- 
 felves more friendly in calamities than relations themfelves. 
 They fay, they do not deny that Thrafylochus left this 
 will ; but that it is not well and lawfully made. But, O 
 men of iEgina I how could any man have with greater 
 prudence confulted about his affairs than he, who neither 
 left his family deftitute, nor negleded gratitude to his 
 friends ? who, befides, made his mother and fifter poflef- 
 fors not only of his own, but of my eftate likewife, having 
 given me the one for wife, and, by adoption, made me the 
 fbn of the other. Had he done more wifely, if he had ap- 
 pointed no one to»take care of his mother ; had made no 
 mention of me, but had trufted his fifter to fortune, and 
 fufFered his family to be deprived even of a name? But, 
 perhaps, I vvas unworthy of being adopted by Tbrafylo- 
 
 I chus. 
 
396 The ORATIONS 
 
 chus, and having his fifter in marriage. Now, all the 
 Siphnians will witncfs, that my anceflors were the chief of 
 their citizens in nobility, riches, and honour. For who 
 were judged worthy of more honourable magillracies r who 
 conferred more on the city, more fplendidly acquitted 
 themfclves in their aedileftiips, or behaved more magnlf:- 
 ceiitly in other public offices ? Wherefore Thrafylochus* 
 tho' I had never fpoken with him, would juftly have given 
 me his fifter ; and I, tho' I had had none of thefe advan- 
 tages, but had been the loweft of the citizens, would, upon 
 account of the benefits I did him, have been juftly efteem- 
 cd worthy of the greateft recompences. I believe, that he 
 particularly gratified his brother Sopolis when he difpofed 
 things in this manner ; for he hated her, and thought her 
 bis enemy, while he efteemed me the moft of all his 
 friends. He fliewed this both in many other regards, and 
 when it was agreed by the partners in exile, to endeavour, 
 with the auxiliaries, to regain the city ; for having been 
 chofen leader with the greateft power, he made me his 
 fecretary and his pay-mafter ; and when we were going to 
 give^battle, he placed me by himfelf. And do you now con- 
 fider of what fervice it was to him > for we having bad fuc- 
 cefs in the attack of Siphnos, and our retreat not being fuch 
 as we could wifh, bearing him with a fervant on my {boul- 
 ders, after he was wounded, and began to faint, I brought 
 hm to the fhip : wherefore he faid frequently, and before 
 fevcral, that 1 was the only man of all, who had faved his* 
 life. Now, what benefaction can be greater than this ? 
 Afterwards, when having failed to Lycia, he died there, 
 this woman, a few days after the news of his death, facri- 
 ficed, and had a feftival ; nor was aftiamed, tho' the bro- 
 ther of him was living, whofe death (he fo little regarded. 
 But I lamented him, as is cuftomary to mourn for rela- 
 tions ; and I did all this by my own inclinations, and for 
 the friendftiip I bore him, and not in fear of this judgment; 
 for I did not think at that time, that both would die with- 
 p^t children, and leave this eftate to ihewa how each of 
 
 us 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 397 
 
 MS had behaved towards them. And you have almoft fuf- 
 ficiently heard how I and ftie were aftcded towards Thra- 
 fylochus and S'opolis. 
 
 Perhaps they will have recourfe to that pretence which 
 remains them, that Thrafylochus, the father of this wo- 
 man, will think.it an atrocious injuftice (if the dead have 
 any fenfe of what is done here), (hould his daughter be 
 deprived, and I rendered heir of what he had got together. 
 But I judge it equitable, that we fhould not reafon from 
 thofe who have been a long time dead, but from thofe who 
 are latelv fo s for Thrafylochus (the father) left whom he 
 chufed mafters of his eftate. Now, it is juft you (hould 
 allow Thrafylochus (the fon) the fame right; and that thofe 
 fliould be conftituted (not ftie) his fucceflbrs, whom he ap- 
 pointed. Nor do I think we need decline the judgment of 
 Thrafylochus himfelf; for, I fuppofe, he would be the 
 fevereft judge of all againft her, did he know her behaviour 
 to his children, and would be far from refcntment that you 
 give your fentences according to the laws ; but would re- 
 fent it highly did you make void the wills of his children : 
 for had he transferred his riches to my family, they might 
 have blamed him for it; but he has conferred them upon 
 his own family in fuch a manner, that they have not re- 
 ceived lefs than he gave. Befides, it is probable no one is 
 lefs favourable to my advcrfary's plea than Thrafylochus ; 
 for he learned his art from Polemxtus the prophet, and was 
 heir to his money, not on account of relationftiip, but of 
 merit: wherefore he of all others will Icaft envy, if another, 
 having well deferved of his children, (hould obtain the fame 
 benefit, which he himfelf was judged worthy of. You 
 (hould remember likewife thofe things which were fpoken 
 in the beginning ; for I ftiewed you there, that he fo highly 
 efteemed our friendftiip and alliance, that he married my 
 fifter and coufin. Now, to whom would he fooner have 
 given his daughter, than to that family, in which he mar- 
 ried his own wife ? And in what family would he more 
 willingly have feen a fon adopted according to law, than in 
 
 that 
 
39« The O R A T I O N S, &c. 
 
 that, from wHich he would have had his own children de- 
 rived ? Wherefore, if you decree the inheritance mine, 
 you will gratify him, and all whomliis intereft concerns; 
 but, fhould you be perfuaded and deceived by her, you will 
 not only do me an injury, but Thrafylochus, who left the 
 will, Sopolis, and his fifter, who lives with me, as well as 
 his mother ; who will be the moft wretched of women, if 
 flie is not only to be deprived of l?er children, but fufFer this 
 additional grief, to fee their wills made null, her family 
 deferred, and this woman infulting in her calamities, carry 
 away the money from this judgment, and myfelf obtaining 
 no equity, who have conferred fo many benefits on thofc 
 who faved him : wherefore, if any one fhould not confider 
 her, but thofe who ever contended about a donation, I 
 fhall be found inferior in right to no one ; and it is certain, 
 that fuch ought rather to be honoured, and greatly efteem- 
 ed, than have free gifts extorted from them. It is juft 
 likewife to defend the law, by which we are permitted to 
 adopt children, and determine as we pleafe of our own 
 poiTeiTions, refleding, that this law is to childlefs perfons 
 inftead of children. By this means, thofe who are related, 
 and thofe who are not fo, take more care of one another. 
 
 But to conclude, nor delay time any longer, confider 
 upon what juft and equitable pretences I come before you. 
 In the firft place, my friendfhip for thofe who have left the 
 inheritance, which friendfhip was ancient, and handed 
 down from our forefathers, and continued always. Se- 
 condly, thofe many and great benefits which I conferred on 
 the calamitous. Thirdly, the will acknowledged by the 
 adverfaries. And, laftly, the law, which feems to the 
 Greeks juftly eftabliflied ; which this is the greateft fign 
 of; for they think differently of other laws, but all think 
 ihe fame concerning this. I therefore befeech you, that> 
 for thefe reafons, and thofe given before, you will decree 
 what is juft, and be to me fuch judges, as you would de- 
 ire others to be to yourfelves. 
 
 .v» 
 
 
 
 «1- 
 
 f.' 
 
 *-f 
 
 THE TWENTIETH 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 ISOCR AXES 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft L o c H i x E s 
 
 v^ 
 
 <••<. 
 
 ■ J "t f 
 
 THE 
 
[ 401 ] 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 fM 
 
 'J . 
 
 ^ jd Cerfain per/on having been beaten by Lo^ 
 ^' chiles, he exaggerates the ifijury, 4?id eji- 
 decPbours tiyftrfumde the judges feverely td-fdiiijh 
 htm, a contemner of the laws, and cvej-turner of 
 the popular Jlate. The begi?ining is abrupt, 
 whereby we may judge itfpoken in the fecond place 
 C5 a peroration. It is more like a youthful ^- 
 elamation than a pleadings on ttc count of its f re-- 
 quent hyperboles. 
 
 J. 
 
 \ 1 
 
 THE TWENTIETH 
 
 Oration of Isocrates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 Againft L o c h i t e ». 
 
 THAT Lochites firft laid his wicked hands on me, 
 and ftruck me, all who are prefent have borne 
 witnefs. You ought not to think this crime of 
 a fimilar nature, nor judge the hurt of the body worthy 
 only of the fame punifhment as an injury in money. You 
 know that the body is moft clofely united to usj and that 
 we have made laws, contend for liberty, defire a demo- 
 cracy, and do all thofe things which concern^Ife, on its 
 'account: wherefore it is juft that you fhould inflid the 
 fevereft punifhment on thofe, who violate that which you 
 moft efteem. You will find thofe who have inftituted laws 
 to have taken the greateft care of the body. In the firfl 
 place^ on this account only, in regard of all injuries, they 
 would have both private and public caufes profecuted with- 
 out any pledge of fatisfying for the iflue, that as every one 
 of us could, and had a mind, he might take vengeance on 
 thofe who do fuch an injury. Befides, in all other accufa- 
 tions, the guilty is only obnoxious to be profecuted by 
 him, who has fuffered prejudice ; but, in regard of contu- 
 mely, as for a crime againft the public, it is permitted any 
 of the citzens, by propofmg the aftair in writing to the fix 
 magiftratesj to come before you : for they judged it fuch a 
 
 Y) d heinous 
 
402 The ORATIONS 
 
 heinous crime that any one ftiould be ftruck by another, 
 th-t they made fuch a law about abufive words only, viz. 
 that he who fpoke any thing forbidden, fhould be fined five 
 hundred draehmaes. Now, what puniihment then is it 
 juft to take of thofe, who have made others fufFer by adlion, 
 when it is certain you are fo inflamed with indignation 
 againft thofe, who have only injured others in words : and 
 it would be wonderful if you judged thofe who were thus 
 injurious in the oligarchy worthy of death, but let thofe go 
 free, who do the fame as they in a democracy. But thefe 
 Ihould undergo defervedly a greater punifhment ; for they 
 certainly prove more deafly their improbity : for he who 
 dares to trefpafs contrary to law againft citizens, when it 
 is not permitted, what, I pray, would he not have done, 
 when thofe who governed it, would have thought them- 
 fehes obliged to thofe who did fuch things ? 
 
 Perhaps Lochites will endeavour to make this appear 
 a fmall matter, by ridiculing the accufation, and faying, 
 that I fufFered nothing of harm by the blows j but that I 
 make more words about them, than the fubje£l requires. 
 Was there no difgrace added to what I have fufFered, I 
 would never have come before you : but now I do not come 
 upon account of the damage done me by blows, but upon 
 account of the infamous injury, to demand juflice from 
 you y for which it is reafonable that free men fhould have 
 the greateft refentment, and take the fevereft vengeance. 
 I fee that you, when any one is guilty of facrilege or theft, 
 do not inflr£l punifhment according to the value of the 
 things he has, taken away; but punifh all equally with 
 death ; and think, that thofe who have attempted the fame 
 a<ltions, (hould be liable to the fame penalties. You ought 
 Ivkewifc to be of the fame difpofition toward* the contume- 
 lious, nor confider this, whether they have violently beaten 
 any one, but whether they have violated the law j nor pu- 
 niikjy^emj^v^^ 
 
 V' -«3f-JilW2KaSH^^ that (m-Al 
 
 motives have been the caufes of great evils ; and that many 
 
 foreigners^ 
 
 / 
 
 . \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 1(1 
 
 of i S O C R A T E S. . 403 
 
 foreigners, as well as citizens, on account of thofe who 
 dared to flrike them, were fo inflamed with anger, that th^ 
 proceeded to flaughter, death, and the cruelefl aflaiTmations. 
 Nothing of which was avoided as far as lay in the power of 
 this man : for, as to him, all that has been faid before was 
 done ; but by fortune^ and my moderation, nothing of an 
 irremediable calamity happened^ 
 
 I JUDGE you will be juflly filled with indignation, if you 
 refledl with yourfelves how much greater this injury is 
 thfen any other : you will find, that other injuries are im- 
 pediments only in regard of a part of our livelihood ; but 
 that this contumely prejudices us in all ; that many families 
 have been ruined for itj and many cities overturned. And 
 why need I mention at large foreign calamities ? We have 
 twice feen the democracy diflblved, and have been twice 
 deprived of liberty, not by foch as were guilty of other 
 crimes, but by thofe who defpifed others, and would ferve 
 the enemy, while they infulted over their fellow-citizemj 
 of whom this man is one ; for tho' he is younger than thofe 
 times, yet he 'has the difpofition of them ; for fuch wefe 
 their tempers who betrayed the city's power to the enemy, 
 deftroyed its walls^ and put to death fifteen hundred citi- 
 zens, without hearing their caufes. All which you ought 
 to remember, and not only punifh thofe who hurt you^ but 
 likewife thofe who would reduce the republic to the like 
 condition. And you fhould more feverely punifh thofe* 
 who 
 "3onc 
 
 ofniture evils, than to'tate piinrffiment for thole already 
 cone* Nor ought you to wait till fuch men getting togc^ 
 ther, and finding an opportunity, trefpafs againfl the whole 
 city ; but punifh them feverely for whatever caufes tlvcy 
 are brought before you ; thinking it an advantage, when 
 you have caught fome perfon, who, in fmall matters, has 
 fhewed all his improbity. It would be a mofl happy thing, 
 was there fome other mark of wicked citizens, that you 
 might punifh them before they had injured any other citi- 
 
 I 
 
 D d 
 
 zens5 
 
404 The O R A T I O N S 
 
 zens ; but becaufe this cannot be found out before fomtf 
 one has fuffercd harm from them, certainly, after they arc 
 known, they ought all to be hated, ^nd judged common 
 enemies. Reflect alfo on the dangers which occur in regard 
 of private fortunes, that the poor have no ihare, and yet- 
 they are equally liable to the injuries of their bodies : where- 
 fore, when you punifh defrauders, you only affift the opu- 
 lent j but when you reftrain infults, you benefit yourfelves, 
 and all. Wherefore thefe judgments fhould be highly 
 elleemed, which, in regard of contrads, condemn one party 
 to the payment of as much as it is juft the accufcr fliould 
 receive ; but, in cafes of infult, to fo much as will reftrain 
 the euilty from ever committing the like: wherefore, if 
 you aboHih that cuftom of only fining thofe in money>- 
 who oftend by youthful iniblence, and determine no chaf- 
 --tTfcmefrtHretrm"'tn^rMi^T)T'tT^ corhfnit injuftic^. 
 
 "^" — agaTnTTotFelrs bodies, you will have performed all that be-. 
 -t:omes^tht)fe'\<rhojtidge wifely ;?br you will give fentencc 
 juftly in the f reTent cafe, will render other citizens more 
 modeft, and make your own lives more fecure. Now, it 
 is the part of prudent judges, by giving their voices in 
 others caufes, to fecure their own aftairs. 
 
 And let no one of you think, regarding this, that I am 
 poor, and one of commoniility, that he Ihould lellen the 
 full penalty ; for it is not juil to take lefs punifhment for 
 the fake of obfcure men, than for the Ctke of more noted ; 
 nor to judge the poor worfe by nature than the rich : for 
 you will fix a mark of ignominy on yourfelves, if you judge 
 fo. Befides.il would be the hijgiiejj inkiftice,^ jiV ^*ow a 
 dernoci^ifY is conftituted, wc mould not all have oik^ com- 
 monjaw; but tnink ourielvcs even worthy ot the magi- 
 Tfracy, and yet deprive ourfclves of thofe rights we have 
 by our country's conliitution ^ and if all of us are equally 
 difpcf^xi tp die in battle for our country, aiid yet, in pall- 
 ing our fentences, attribute nuore to tb<;fe who arc richefl:. 
 But, if you will lilten to me, you will not thus be aitected 
 towards yourfelves, nor >\iu be authoKs, that young men 
 
 contema 
 
 / 
 
 
 ^m 
 
 /.5r> 
 
 ■4.- 
 
 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 405 
 
 contemn the body of the citizens, nor judge fuch caufes 
 unrelated to you ; but, as if each pleaded his own caufe, 
 will give in your verdia : for they equally injure all, who 
 dare to violate that law, which contains the fafety of all. 
 Wherefore, if you are wife, mutually encouraging one an- 
 other, (hew your refentment againft Lochites, confcious 
 that all fuch defpife thofe laws which have been ena£led, 
 but efteem what is done here of the higheft fandlion. I 
 have exprefTed myfclf as well as I was able on the prefent 
 occafion j but if any one of my advocates prefent has any 
 thing which may further help my caufe, let him come fiprth, 
 and fpeak before you. 
 
 Dd 3 
 
 THE 
 
 ,1 s^ 
 
 ■iS 
 
^^ 
 
 f'V-' 
 
 1*1 
 
 THE TWENTY-FIRST 
 
 ORATION 
 
 O F 
 
 IS O C RAT ES 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 The Cause without a Wi t n e s s 
 
 ft - 
 
 ■sS.*;, 
 
 
 
 
 
 D d 4 
 
[ 389 ] 
 
 The SUBJECT. 
 
 JT IS fo called, hecaufe it is grounded upon no 
 ^itnefs ; but th truth is to be judged of by 
 corj^eiures ; for when the thirty tyrants were in 
 power at Athens, Nicias being projcribed, depo- 
 fited three talents with Euthy?ius, without any 
 witneffes, who, upon his re-demand of it, re- 
 cei'ved but two, and Euthymis kept back the 
 ether. The controverfy confijh in this; which is 
 more probable, that Nicias J}:ould claim what he 
 never tru/led, or Euthynus rejerve what he had 
 received ?^ This oration is very ingenious, and 
 has been jvjily admired on that account. 
 
 '■■3: 
 
 4 
 
 \ 
 
 \i< 
 
 C lA 
 
 ,W^-'-T 
 
 .THE T W E N T Y-F I R S T 
 
 > • 
 
 Oration of Iso crates: 
 
 ENTITLED, 
 
 The Cause without aWiTNEss. 
 
 I HAVE ajuft reafon for pleading this caufe of Nicias ; 
 for he is my friend, hasdcfired it of me, has been in- 
 jured, and is ignorant of pleading : wherefore, by all 
 thefe reafons, I am obliged to fpeak in his ftead. How his 
 contrail with Euthynus happened, I will explain to you in 
 as few words as I am capable. , 
 
 , ,This Nicias therefore, after the thirty tyrants were 
 cftabliflied, and his enemies had expunged him out of the 
 city, and written him down, amongft others, in Pifander's 
 catalogue, diffident of his fafety, he depofited his fubftance, 
 fent his fervants abroad, brou^iht his furniture to me, and 
 entrufted three talents to Euthynus 3 ^nd retiring into the 
 country, continued there. But not long after, having a 
 mind to go thence in a fhip, he a(ked his money of Euthy- 
 pus, Euthynus, upon this, reftores two talents ; but de- 
 nies the third. Nicias therefore had nothing more that he 
 could do at that time -, but coming to his friends, he accu- 
 fed him, complained to them, and told them what he had 
 fuffered ; but he fo valued him, and was fo apprehenfivc of 
 the circumflancesof thofe tim^s, that, if he had been de- 
 prived of a little, he Vvould much fooner have held his 
 tongue, than, had he lofl nothing, ever accufed him : and 
 thefe were the things juft as they happened. Our caufe is 
 
 involved 
 
4IO The O R A T I O N S 
 
 involved in difficulty ; for neither free perfon nor flave was 
 prefent with Nicias, either when he depofited or received 
 the money: wherefore it is not poffible that you (hould 
 know the truth either by queftions or witneflcs , but it is 
 necelTvy that we fhould plead by probable arguments, and 
 you judge thereby which of us fpeaks truth. 
 
 I JUDGE all know, that thofe who are (killed in fpeak- 
 ing, but pofTefs nothing, are moft fubjedt to calumniate 
 ^thers who cai^not h^angue, but are able to pay money. 
 Now, Nicias pofTefles more tly^i Euthynus ; but is lels 
 knowing in eloquence : wherefore there is no caufe why 
 he (hould be incited to accufe Euthynus unjuftly ; but, by 
 the nature of the thing, one may perceive, that it is more 
 probable that Euthynus would deny what he had received, 
 than that Nicias would require what he had not given ; for 
 it is a certain truth, that all men commit injuftice for the 
 fake of gain : and thofe indeed, who defraud others, have 
 thofe things for which they a6l unjuftly ; but they who ac- 
 cufe, know not whether they fhaU receive any thing by it. 
 Befides, when things were uncertain in the city, and there 
 were no judgments, no advantage could have accrued to 
 Nicias, had he accufed him ; whereas the other could have 
 been in no fear, tho' he had defrauded : wherefore it is no 
 wonder, if, when thofe who had borrowed money before 
 witnefTes, denied it, he (hould at fuch a time deny what 
 he alone received from the other in private. But it is 
 hot congruous that this perfon (when even thofe to whom 
 money was juftly owing could not cxad: it, (hould imagine 
 he could acquire any thing by accufmg Euthynus ; but it is 
 eafy to perceive, that if nothing had hindered, and that he 
 both could and would have calumniated, he would the laft 
 of any have accufed Euthynus ; for thofe who defign fuch 
 things, begin not with their friends, but, with them, in- 
 vade others, and accufe fuch as they neither refpecl nor 
 fear, and fuch as are indeed rich, but deftitute of friends, 
 and unfit for bufinefs and contention. But the contrary is 
 foQnd in Euthj'nus 3 for he is the coufm of Nicias, and has 
 
 more 
 
 
 -Ik' 
 
 of I S O C R AT E S. 411 
 
 more eloquence and experience than he. Befides, Euthy- 
 nus has a fmall fortune, but many friends ; wherefore there 
 is no perfon whom Nicias would not focxner have attempted 
 than him ; nay, it feems to me, who have known their 
 familiarity, that Euthynus would not have injured Nicias 
 if he could have defrauded another. But there is one (imple 
 caufe of this affair ; it is permitted to accufe any one you 
 pleafe to pitch on j but it is not poffible to defraud, except 
 the perfon who has trufted a depofit : wherefore, I fay, 
 Nicias, had he had an inclination to calumny, would not 
 have attacked him ; but Euthynus, with fuch a difpofition, 
 could not find any other to defraud. This is the ftrongeft 
 fign, and fufficient for a judgment of the whole ; for, whea 
 the accufation was firft made, the oligarchy prevailed, un- 
 der which their circumftances were fuch, that Nicias, had 
 he been accuftomed in former times to calumniate, would 
 have then defifted ; but Euthynus, though he had never 
 thought of fuch a thing before, would have been tempted 
 to do this injury : for Euthynus was then honoured for his 
 vices ; but the other laid in wait for on account of his 
 riches. You all know, that, in thofe times, it was thought 
 more atroce to be rich, than unjuft; for thefe (bized the 
 properties of others, but the former loft their own poflef- 
 fions : for they, in whofe power the r^ublic was then, 
 puni(hed the innocent, and fpoiled thofe who were pofTeff- 
 ed of riches ; and thought the unjuft faithful to them, but 
 the wealthy their enemies. . Wherefore Nicias was not in 
 fuch a fituation as to feize on others goods by calumny, but 
 rather to fuffer harm himfelf, tho' he had done no evil ; 
 but it was permitted Euthynus in fuch power to defraud an- 
 other of what he had received, and accufe thofe he had no 
 commerce with ; whereas thofe who were in a like condi- 
 tion with Nicias, were forced to forgive their debtors their 
 juft debts, and let calumniators plunder them. And that 
 thdh things are true, Euthynus himfelf can witnefs ; for he 
 knows that Timodemus extorted from Nicias thirty minaes, 
 not by demand of debt, but by threatening to carry him to 
 
 prifon. 
 
 
412 The O R A T I O N S ' 
 
 prifon. But how is it probable that Nic^as was arrived at 
 liich a pitch of phrenzy, that, while he was in danger of 
 his life by it, he would calumniate others ; and while he 
 could not protect his own, fhould lay fnares for the fub- 
 flance of others, and raife up to himfclf other enemies to 
 contend with befides thofe which he already had ; and ac- 
 cufe thofe iinjuftlv, againft whom, tho' they had confefied 
 they had wronged him, yet, at that time, he could have 
 obtained no redrefs by law ; or, when he was obliged to 
 give what he had never received, he fiiould then hope to 
 gain what he had never entered into ? contra6l about? 
 What has beert faid, fufiices (methinks) on this fubje<5t. 
 ^, Per fi A PS Eutbynus will repeat what he has long ago 
 faid before, that if he had had a mind to commit an injuf- 
 tice, he never would have reftored two parts of the depofit, 
 and retained a third; but whether he would have been juft, 
 or the contrary, he would have been the fame in regard pf 
 the whole. But, I think, you all know, that when men 
 go about a6ling unjuffly, ,they at the Came time think of an 
 excufe ; wheiefore it is not reafonable to wonder, if by 
 tbofe very arguments Euthynus committed this injuftice in 
 fuch a manner. Befides, I could mention many, who up- 
 on the receipt of imoney, have reftored the greateft, and 
 retained a fmall part ; and fuch likewifc as have defrauded 
 in fmall contrails, and yet been juft in regard of great ones: 
 wherefore Euthynus has not been the firft, or alone done 
 this. You ought alfo to obfeive^ that if you approve thofe 
 who plead thus, you will conftitute a law or method, 
 whereby men may, with impunity, defraud ethers ; fo that 
 for the future, they will reilore a part, and keep back the 
 reft ; for this will be lucrative to them, if ufing what they 
 have reftored for argument, they (hall efcape puniftunent. 
 Reflecl alfo, it is ealy to make for Nicias the fame defence 
 with Euthynus ; for when he received two talents, no one 
 was prcfent with him ; wherefore if he had a mind, and , 
 judged it convenient to calumniate, it is manifeft he would 
 pot have confefied he had received thcfej but he would 
 
 have 
 
 / 
 
 ,iR. V*' 
 
 is*-*' ^**c' I 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 413 
 
 have pleaded for all. Euthynus thus would have run the 
 hazard of a greater fum, and could not ufe fuch arguments 
 as he now does. Moreover, there is not one perfon can 
 fhew any reafon why Nicias Ihould falfly accufe Euthynus ; 
 but it is eafy to imagine for what reafons Euthynus has 
 done this injuftice to him, and in this manner ; for when 
 Nicias was opprefled with calamities, all his relations and 
 friends knew, that he had depofited with this man money ; 
 therefore Euthynus knew, that many had heard that money 
 was depofited with him ; but what fum, no one knew : 
 wherefore he thought, did he fubtra£t from the fum, he 
 fliould not be found out ; but that if he fhould detain the 
 whole, he fhould be proved guilty. Wherefore he chofe 
 rather to defraud him of as much as fufficed, than, ref?:ore- 
 ing nothing, to be left without a poflibility of denial. 
 
 The End of the Orations. 
 
 THE 
 
 
(4i6 ) 
 
 ^M^|P§^^ 
 
 THE 
 
 Epistles of Isocrates, 
 
 E p s T L E I. 
 
 The In 
 
 SCRIPTION. 
 
 Ifocrates wifhes happinefs to Philip king of Macedoit* 
 
 IF I was younger, I would not fend this letter, but 
 rather fail myfelf, and upon the fpot difcourfe with 
 you ; but as the feafon of my life does not agree with 
 labour, and I am now wafted with age, I will endea- 
 vour to write to you as prudently as I can about the 
 prefent ftate of things. I know indeed it much coHi- 
 oerns thofe, who would perfuade others not to explain 
 their mind in letters, but in private converfation, not 
 only becaufe any one may more eafily tranfacl bufmefs 
 prefent, than declare his thoughts by letter ; nor that 
 all credit words rather than writings, and think the 
 firft, as it were, friendly deliberations, and the latter but 
 as fictions 3 but becaufe, befides this, in converfation, if 
 any thing fpoken be not underflood, of not believed, he 
 that makes the difcourfe may apply a remedy to botfe incon- 
 veniencies 3 but, in fent difjourfcs, if any thing of this 
 natwre happens, there is no one to obviate it ; for he being 
 abfent who wrote them, writings are deprived of him who 
 fhould fupply their deficiency. But, as you are to be their 
 judge, I have great hope that I fliall appear to have fpoken 
 to the purpofe ; for I judge that you, fctting afidc all impe- 
 ^ments, will apply your mind to the thiugs themftives. 
 
 Some 
 
 /. 
 
 ^ f 
 
 V 
 
 } 
 
 The E P I S T L E S, &c. 417 
 
 Some of thofe who have been with me, have endea- 
 voured to deter me, faying, that you refped flatterers, but 
 contemn admonitors. Had I believed their words, I would 
 have remained quiet. Now, none fnall perfuade nie that 
 any one can fo far excel others as you do, both In adions 
 and wifdom, unleCs he be the fcholar of fome, the hearer 
 of others, the benefador of m:ny, and on every fide feek 
 and colled thofe helps, whereby he may exercife and im- 
 prove his underilanding. 1 therefore was thus induced to 
 write to you; for r«folving both to fpeak of great things, 
 and of fuch fubjeds as it is convenient no one living fhould 
 fooner hear than you, metliinks I ought fo earneilly to ex- 
 hort you, that you mutt per force become tlie bearer of 
 iuch a written oration. Nor am I ambitious of praife, or 
 ignorant that you mult be fatiated with orations and men. 
 This likevvife is eviuent, that public aflemblies are proper 
 for fuch as are defirous of oflentation ; for there they may 
 difplay their eloquence and ability to the greateft numbers : 
 but that thofe who would efFed any thing, fliould dired 
 their difcourfe to him, who Can the mod: cXpcditioufly put 
 in execution what is fpoken of in their oration : where- 
 fore, Was I to counfel a city, I would dir-c6t my difcourfe 
 to the chief of it ; but when I have refolved to eive coun- 
 kl for the public fafcty of Greece, to whom can any fay it 
 is fo proper I fnould dired my difcourfe as to him, who 
 excels in nobility, and is poflefTed of the greateft power ? 
 Nor fhall I feem to fpeak unfeafonably of this fubjed; for 
 when the Lacedaemonians held the foverelgnty, it would 
 not have been eafy for you to have patron i fed us, and re- 
 fifted them j but they have now fuch bad fuccefs, that they 
 will be content to pofTefs their own territory. JButiputxiiy.. 
 ^i^lX^^^^y - ^^" y^H£. allyj^ , and. partner of jgux labour, if 
 you will ad for the common good of Greece. How thei\ 
 can there a more glonouj^ opportunity happen r- 
 
 Nor wonder, tho* I am neither orator or captain, nor 
 powerful in any other regard, I undertake fo momentous an 
 affair, and attempt two of the greateft things, viz. to fpeak 
 
 i^ c of 
 
^ 
 
 418 The EPISTLES 
 
 of the ftate of all Greece, and [rive you counfel. I indeed 
 abftained foon from all public affairs (for what reafons it 
 would be troublefome to mention here) but it is evident, 
 that I was not ignorant of the inftitutes of that philofophy, 
 which defpifes fmall things, and haftens to great under- 
 takings : wherefore it will not be incredible that I (hould 
 perceive fomething profitable fooner than thofe who are 
 converfant in government, and have acquired glory. I 
 fhall immediately dcmonftrate if I have any merit ; but this 
 will be Ihewn by what I defign to fpeak of. 
 
 Note, This letter, with the oration fent to Philip, and 
 the letter to Alexander, probably infpired and animated 
 thofe great men to undertake the Perfian war ; fo that 
 Ifocrates's eloquence may be faid, perhaps, to have pro- 
 duced one of the greateft events in the world. 
 
 EPISTLE II. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 • Ifocratcs wilhes happinefs to Philip. 
 
 I Know well, that kings are wont to have more grat^- 
 tude for thofe who praife, than thofe who admonifh 
 them. I, had I not before admonifhed you with a great 
 deal of benevolence of thofe things, whereby it appeared to 
 me, that you would do what moft became you, perhaps, 
 {hould not now addrefs this letter about what has befallen 
 you. But becaufe I have chofen to be follicitous for your 
 affairs, as well on account of my own as other Grecian 
 cities, I (hould blufh, fhould I feem to have given you 
 counfel about lefs neceiTary afFajrs, but fhould make no 
 piehtion of thofe that are more urgent ; and this when the 
 others only concern your glory, but thefe your fafety, which 
 you feem to all thofe, who have heard the reproaches made 
 of you, to have negleded : for there are none but fay, that 
 
 you 
 
 y 
 
 i I 
 
 h 
 
 ■\i 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 .. « 
 
 f 
 
 1 5 
 
 /, 
 
 
 1/ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 419 
 
 you expofe yourfelf to danger more than becomes a king ; 
 and that you more regard the praife of fortitude, than the 
 event of all. But it is alike difgraceful, when the enemy is 
 prefling on all fides, not to excel others^ as, when no necef- 
 fity calls upon you, to expofe yourfelf to fuch hazards j 
 wheiein fhould you come off vidtor, you will gain no c^reaC 
 advantage; but, fhould you lofe your life, you will over- 
 turn all your prefent happinefs. Now, we ought not to 
 think all deaths in war are honourable ; but that thofe which 
 happen for our country, our parents, and children, are 
 worthy of praife 5 and that thofe, which prejudice all thefe, 
 and give a blot to former fuccefs, ought to be thought by us 
 difgraceful, and be avoided, as the caufes of infamy. But 
 I judge you ought to .imitate, and confidcr how cities admi* 
 nifter their affairs in war; for they all, when they fend out 
 an army, are wont to put in fafety the public, and the ge- 
 neral council: v/hereby it happens, that if fome calamity 
 befalls them, their power in not annihilated, but they can 
 fuftain many loiTes, and sgain recover themfelves j which 
 you ought to have in view, and think no good greater than 
 f:ifety, that you may ufe the vi£^ories you gain with pru- 
 dence. You may fee what great care the Lacedaemonians 
 take of the fafety of their kings, and appoint the mofl famous 
 of their citizens for their guards, to defert whom when flain, 
 is more infamous than to throw away their fhields. But 
 neither are you ignorant of what happened to Xerxes, who 
 formed the' defign of enflaving Greece ; and to Cyrus, who 
 difputed for the Perfian kingdom : for the former, tho' he 
 fell into fo many calamities and diflreffes, as no one knows 
 the like of by hiflory, yet, becaufe he had faved his life, 
 he recovered his kingdom, and delivered it to his children; 
 and it is no lefs teri'ible now than it was before. But Cy- 
 rus, after he had conquered all the king's forces, and had 
 gained fupreme power, by his own temerity, did not only 
 deprive himfelf of fo great a dominion, but he brought all 
 his friends into the extremefl danger. I could mention many 
 more, who beij^g the generals of great armies, becaufe 
 
 E e 2 they 
 
420 The EPISTLES 
 
 they were flain immaturely themfelves, were the caufe of 
 
 the deflrudllon of millions. 
 
 Considering which, you ought not to defire that for- 
 titude which is joined with imprudence, and unfcafonable 
 ambition; nor, while To many dangers hang over monor- 
 diy, invent for yourfelf others of an ignoble, common, 
 military nature; nor contend with thofe, who would either 
 be freed from a miferable life, or rafhly face dangers, in 
 ^he hope of a larger Itipend ; nor dcfire even fuch a glory 
 as others, both of the Greeks and Barbarians, have obtain- 
 ed ; but that which is of fuch fubllmity, that no one liv- 
 ing, but yourfelf, can acquire ; nor as much love thofe vir- 
 lues which mc^n men may be partakers of, as thofe which 
 no bad man can have a ihare in : nor carry on ignoble, 
 dangerous wars, when you may undertake honourable and 
 fafe ones ; nor, in fine, fuch whereby you may throw your 
 friends into the greateil grief and forrow, and give the 
 greateft hope to )our enemies, as you have now done. But 
 it will fufiice fo far to conquer thefe Barbarians you now 
 £ght with till you have fecured your own kingdom, and 
 jhen attack and endeavour to overthrow him, who is now 
 called the great king, thereby to exalt your own glory, 
 and fnew to the Grecians againft whom they ought to make 
 war. I very much wifa I had fent you this letter before 
 you had undertaken your expedition ; for, if you had been 
 perfuaded, you would not have been expofed to fuch dan- 
 gers ; but, if you had not liftened to me, yet I.fhould not 
 4"eem to counfel you to fuch things, as now, upon account 
 of what you have fuffered, are manifeft in their nature to 
 all; but the event would have proved, that thofe words 
 were true which I had fpoken about fuch entcrprifes. 
 
 Tho' I have many things to fay on the fubjecl, yet I 
 will conclude ; for I judge, that you and the beil of your 
 friends can eafily add as much as you pleafc to what has 
 been faid by me. Befidcs, I am afraid of appearing to 
 affccl too great copioufncfs ; for having thus proceeded by 
 degrees, I did net obferve that I had not preferved the bre- 
 vity 
 
 ( 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 
 { 
 
 s >i 
 
 of ISOCRATES. 421 
 
 vity of a letter, but had indulged the length of an oration : 
 but fhould this be fo, yet thofe things which regard our 
 city, ought not to be ncgle6ted ; but I ought to endeavour 
 to perfuade you to cultivate its amity and friendfhip: for I 
 judge there do not want many perfons, who will tell you 
 not only the mod odious things which are faid of you here, 
 but will add fomething of their own ; whom it is not juft 
 you {hould liflen to : for it would be unreafonable that you 
 fhould blame our people for eafily giving credit to accufa- 
 tions, and yet you yourfelf believe thofe who pradlife fuch 
 fallacy. And you muft be fenfible, that the more any prove 
 our city to be credulous, they prove it more difpofed for 
 your purpofcs; for if thofe who can efFe£t no good, obtain 
 by words of it whatever they pleafe, it is certainly congru- 
 ous that you, w^ho in fa6l can fo greatly benefit it, mull: of 
 courfe obtain whatever you judge proper. Now, I think, 
 to thofe who moft bitterly reproach our city, may be op- 
 pofed thofe, who fay it has a right to all, and never did 
 amifs in things of a greater or lefs moment. But I lliall imi- 
 tate neither of them ; for I fhould blufti, if, while others 
 think not the i?;ods themfelves impeccable, I fhould dare to 
 aflcrt, that we had never tranfgrefled in any thing : but I 
 have this to fay of it, that you can find no other more Ser- 
 viceable to Greece, or ufeful for your own affairs, which 
 ought particularly to be confidered by you : for, not only 
 as a declared ally, it will be the caufe to you of much good, 
 but if it only feems friendly difpofed ; for by this means you 
 will more eafily keep thofe in their duty, who are already 
 fubjecT to you, if they have no refuge; and you may more 
 eafily conquer what Barbarians you pleafe. Why fhould 
 you not willingly defire that friendfhip, by which you will 
 hold fecurely your prefent power, and will acquire an ample 
 additional one without danger ? Now, I wonder at thofe 
 potentates, who hire great armies of mercenaries, and ex- 
 pend much money upon them, tho' they know that fuch 
 men have injured more of thofe who confided in them than 
 they havefaved j[ but yet^do not endeavour to gain the friend- 
 ,' I^ e 3 ihip 
 
# 
 
 422 The EPISTLES- 
 
 fbip of a city pofleficd of fuch power, which has already 
 preferved both fingular cities and all Greece. Reflect alfo, 
 that you feem to many to have confulted rightly in a£i:i]ig 
 juftly by the Theflalians, and as was convenient for them, , 
 tho' not tradable men indeed, but magnanimous, and prone 
 to fedition. You ought therefore to be fuch towards u?, 
 knowing, that the Thefialians have only their country, but 
 we a great power neighbouring to you, which you muft by 
 all means endeavour to reconcile : for it is much more 
 glorious to gain the benevolence of cities, than to force 
 walls ; and the latter has not only envy for its attendant, 
 but men are wont to attribute fuch atchievements to 
 armies , whereas, if you acquire benevolence and friend- 
 (hip, all will praife your prudence. 
 
 You may juflly credit me about what I have fafd of our 
 
 city ; for I am not accuftomed to flatter it in my difcourfes, 
 
 but to have reprehended it more than any one ; nor ever to 
 
 have been efteemed by the vulgar, and thofe who take ralh 
 
 counfels, but not unknown or odious to fuch as you are. 
 
 But this is ihe difference betwixt us, that they are of this 
 
 difpofition towards you on account of your felicity and 
 
 power; towards me^ becaufe I profefs myfelf wifer than 
 
 they, and they fee more are willing to converfe with me 
 
 than them. I wifti it was ecjually poflible for both to avoid 
 
 the opinions which they have conceived of us ; but you, if 
 
 you pleafe, without much difliculty, may blot them out in 
 
 refpcdt of yourfelf : but I am under a neceiTity, on account 
 
 of my old age, and many other reafons, to be contented 
 
 with my condition. Wherefore I fee not why I (hould fay 
 
 more, but only this jdj^tjt is permitted you to reconimend 
 
 your empire and fortune as a pledge to the friendfhip and 
 
 benevolence of all Greece, 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 of I S C R A T E S. 423 
 EPISTLE III. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 Ifocrates wifheth happinefs to Philip. 
 
 I Discoursed with Antipater concerning thofe things 
 which would be advantageous to our city and you, with 
 fufficicnt copioufncfs, as I have perfuaded myfelf. But I 
 chofe likewife to write to you about thofe things, which, 
 as it feems to me, you fhould do after the peace, of a like 
 nature indeed with thofe written in the oration, but in a 
 much briefer manner. , At^thaJ^ime J counfd^^^^ 
 'you had reconciled our citj;, that orjh^'^T^ iced^monians 
 "'a n^^T K'^A'f givf s7To^^ u^^^ Greeks in concord. I 
 
 mJ^'S^^ ax^m^ of 
 
 fuch a difpofition, the others would eafily follow. Then 
 the ftate of affairs was different ; but it has now fp hap- 
 pened, that perfuafion is unneceflTary : for, on account of 
 the battle which has been given, all are forced to be wife, 
 and defire thofe things, which, I believed, you thought and 
 had a defire of, viz. leaving all phrenzy and avarice where- 
 by they plagued one another, to transfer the war diredly 
 into Aha. Befides, many afxC of me, whether I perfuaded 
 you to an expedition againft the Barbarians, or, when you 
 had determined it firft, if it had my approbation ? I an- 
 fvvered, I do not know for certain 5 for I never hitherto 
 had your converfation : yet I can fay, that I believe you 
 had purpofed the defign ; but that I feconded your Inten- 
 ^ tion. When they had heard this from me, they defired I 
 would admonifh and exhort you to continue in the fame 
 intentions, there not being a pofiibillty of more noble 
 atchievements, more ufeful to Greece, or likely to be more 
 favoured by opportunity. If therefore I had the fame faculty 
 which I had formerly, and was not enfeebled quite by age, 
 I would not thus exhort you by letters, but, in your pre- 
 fence, would counfel and excite you to the enterprize. 
 Now, I exhort you in that manner I can, not to negledt 
 
 E e 4 thefc 
 
 \>^ 
 
 <: 
 
 
 u 
 
424 The EPISTLES 
 
 thefe things till you have compleated them. Befides, It la 
 mot reputable infatiably to defire any things elfe, Mode^ 
 ration of them is approved by moft ; but to defire jzreat and 
 diftinguifhed glory, and never to be fatiated with Tt, is be- 
 coming thofe who far excel others, which is your cafe. 
 Do you therefore judge you will have acc^uired a tranfcen- 
 dant degree of it, and worthy of your adions, when you 
 have forced the Barbarians to fervc the Grecians, except 
 fuch as f^ght on your fide ; and reduce that king, who is 
 now filled Great, to fuch a condition, that he obey your 
 orders. 7'his is much eahir to be done by you in your prc- 
 fcnt ilate, than for you to h^ve arrived at that power and 
 glory which you now enjoy, beyond that kingdom which 
 you had at firil : nor will any thing remain for you, but to 
 attain divinity. I have a grateful fentiment for old age on 
 this account only, that it has fo far prolonged my life,"that, 
 I hop^, what I thought of when I was young, and began 
 to write of in the panegyric, as well as in that oration 
 which I fent to you, I fee partly compleated by what you 
 have done, and hope to fee the reft accomplifhcd hereafter. 
 
 I 
 
 F P I S T L E IV. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 Ifocrates wifhes health to Philip. 
 
 Tho' it is dangerous to fend a letter into Macedonia, 
 J not only now when we are at war together, but even 
 when we ore at peace, yet have chofen to write to you 
 about Diodotus, thinking it but juft to highly efleem my 
 difciples, and thofe who have been worthy of my friend- 
 (hip, and not in the leaft degree this perfon, both on ac- 
 count of his benevolence to me, and equity in all other 
 things. Now, I fhould particularly defire he (hould be re- 
 commended by me; but, fince he is known to you by 
 others, what remains is, that I bear teflimony of him, and 
 
 confirm 
 
 i 
 
 /I 
 
 I 
 
 C 
 
 4 
 
 I 1 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 425 
 
 confirm the knowledge you have of him already. I have 
 had the familiarity of many and various perfons, fome of 
 whom v/ere dilHnguifhed by great glory, others by elo- 
 quence, and fome again by prudence, and the management 
 of affairs ; fome for their modefty and affable behaviour, 
 tho' ufelefs for the other purpcfes and cuftoms of life. But 
 this perfon received fuch a happy genius from nature, that 
 he was wonderfully perfe6l in all thefe qualities; and I 
 fhould not dare to Ipeak this, if it was not that I had moft 
 certain experience, and you will have the fame, partly 
 when you yourfelf converfe with him, and hear his praife 
 from others who have had his acquaintance, none of whom, 
 except he be envious, will deny, that he is, both in elo- 
 quence and counfel, inferior to none, yet very juft and 
 moderate, and ahftinent in rcfpecl of money, befides a mofl 
 agreeable and facetious companion, let me add, and of a 
 great deal of liberty in his converfation ; not fuch tho' as is 
 improper, but which is juftly the greateft mark of benevo- 
 lence towards friends, which thofe princes, who have a 
 greatnefs of foul worthy of empire, honour as beneficial ; 
 but thofe who are of a weaker genius than is fuitable to 
 their power, take ill, as if it forced them to a(Si: agalnft 
 their inclinations, ignorant, that in regard of that utility 
 which we are fpeaking of, thofe who dare moft freely con- 
 tradict, afford them the greateft opportunity of a6ling,with 
 full liberty : for it is probable, that, by means of thofe, 
 who chufe to?pealcf5rth'e'p!eatee^onJy^f others, Betray 
 narcliies alone cannot confirm their power (which cer- 
 tainly are expofed to many dangers), but that evei) repub- 
 lics cannot, which are governied wtth mpre {ecilrtQrrl^w, 
 it Is not unlikely, tKcy who perfift freely in 3en'verlng the 
 beft counfel, may fave many ftates that would othcrwifc 
 perifh: wherefore it is juft they (hould be in greater efteem 
 with kings, who declare the truth, than thofe who fpeak 
 every thing to plcafe, but nothing worthy of gratitude; 
 but it happens, that fuch are generally in lefs favour with 
 the powerful, which Diodotus happened to fuffer from 
 
 fome 
 
 y 
 
426 The EPISTLES 
 
 fome of the Afiatic potentates, to whom he had been vcrjr 
 ufeful, not only by counfels, but acSlions and dangers, bc- 
 caufe he fpoke freely about what would have benefitted 
 them, he wa^ both deprived of his domeftlc happlnefs and 
 a great variety of hopes ; and fome mens flattery had greater 
 prevalence than his real fervices ; on which account, tho' 
 he always defigned to pafs over to you, yet he delayed, not 
 becaufe he thought all alike in fuperior power, but becaufe, 
 by reafon of the difficulties they laid in his way, he was of 
 a lefs chearful mind in entertaining the hopes you offered 
 him. He feems to me to h^'e fuffered fomcthinG: of a like 
 nature with fome who go to fea, who, when they have at 
 £ift met with a tempefl, fcarce go to fea with courage any 
 more, tho' they know navigation may be performed with 
 great fecurity. But, fmce he is recommended to you, all 
 things feem to him to have happened well. I judge it will 
 happen (o to him, by a conjcdlure drawn from your huma- 
 nity, which you are thought pofTefled of even by ftrangers 
 and foreig;ners -, and then, that you are not ignorant that it 
 is the moft pleafant and profitable of all things to acquire, 
 by benefits, faithful and ufeful friends, and deferve well of 
 thofe, for whofe fakes many others will be grateful to you ; 
 for all elegant;minded perfons praife and honour fuch as 
 convcrfe equitably and benevolently with virtuous men, as 
 if they themfelves had received kindnefles from them. But 
 I judge Diodctus himfelf will be the greatefl motive to you 
 of providing for him. I likewife exhorted his fon, that he 
 would efpoufe your intereft, and, by devoting himfelf to 
 you as a difciple, endeavour to make greater proficiency. 
 While I was fpeaking this, he declared he was defirous of 
 your friendihip ; but that he found himfelf much in the 
 feme manncij afifeded towards it, as he was towards hono- 
 rary crownsgained in gymnaftic games: he wifhed indeed 
 to win them ; but that he dared not ddtend into the area, 
 becaufe he had not fufficient ftrength : that thus he defired 
 to obtain honours from you, but defpaired of deferving 
 them ', for, he faid, he feared his own inexperience, and 
 
 your 
 
 I 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 427 
 
 your fplendor : befides, that his perfon was not advantage- 
 ous, but liable to blame, which, he thought, would prove 
 an impediment to him in bufinefs. He therefore fhall do 
 whatever he judges convenient ; but whether he be with 
 you, or indulging quiet, I would defire you to take care 
 of him in all he needs ; but particularly take care of his and 
 his father's fnfety, thinking you have in him, as it were, a 
 trufl of my old age, which jullly merits regard, both from 
 my authoiity, if 1 may be judged worthy of any, and alfo 
 from mv benevolence to you, which has been perpetual 
 thro* my life. Nor ought you to wonder if I have written 
 too prolix a letter, and have faid fomething fuperfluous, or 
 like the old man, in it ; for- negle£ling all other things, I 
 only took care of this, that it might appear I have been fol- 
 licitous for my friends, and thofe who are valued by me. 
 
 EPISTLE V. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 Ifocrates wiihes happinefs to Alexander. 
 
 WHEN I wrote to your father, I thought It would 
 be imprudent, if I did not at the fame time 
 addrefs myfelf to, and falute you, who are in the fame 
 place ; and write fomething of fuch a nature, as may be 
 the caufe that thofe, who do not know me, may not think 
 I am become childifh, or quite foolifh by old age ; but per- 
 ceive, that what of genius remains me, is not unworthy of 
 the faculty I was poflelled of in my youthful days ; for I 
 hear from all, that you are hunjane, afFeftioned to the 
 JVthenians, a'lover of wifd^ never a6l rafhly, but 
 
 "wltKlronfurnmate pruc5e'nce T arid they fay, you approved 
 ^not'oTfuch'' orbiif citizens who have negleded themfelves, 
 and defire diftionourable things, but fuch, in whofe con- 
 verfation you felt no tedioufnefs, but, had you taken 
 counfel with them, would haveJfufFeredno injury or detri- 
 ments 
 
 1^ 
 
426 The EPISTLES 
 
 fome of the Afiatic potentates, to whom he had been vciy 
 ufeful, not only by counfels, but actions and dangers, be- 
 caufe he fpoke freely about what would have benefitted 
 them, he wa^ both deprived of his domeftlc happlnefs and 
 a great variety of hopes ; and fome mens flattery had greater 
 prevalence than his real fervices ; on which account, the' 
 he always defigned to pafs over to you, yet he delayed, not 
 becaufc he thought all alike in fuperior power, but becaufe, 
 by reafon of the difficulties they laid in his way, he was of 
 a lefs chearful mind in entertaining the hopes you offered 
 him. He fecms to me to h^e fuffered fomcthins: of a like 
 jiature with fome who go to fea, who, when they have at 
 firfl met with a tempefl, fcarce go to fea with courage any 
 more, tho' they know navigation may be performed with 
 great fecurity. But, fince he is recommended to you, all 
 things feem to him to have happenied well. I judge it will 
 happen (o to him, by a conjecture drawn from your huma- 
 nity, which you are thought poflefl'ed of even by flrangers 
 and foreigners ; and then, that you are not ignorant that it 
 is the moft pleafant and profitable of all things to acquire, 
 by benefits, faithful and ufeful friends, and deferve well of 
 thofe, for whofe fakes many others will be grateful to you ; 
 for all elegantyminded perfons praife and honour fuch as 
 convcrfe equitably and benevolently with virtuous men, as 
 if they themfelves had received kindnefTes from them. But- 
 I judge Diodctus himfelf will be the greateft motive to you 
 of providing for him. I likewife exhorted his fon, that he 
 would efpoufe your interefl, and, by devoting himfelf to 
 you as a Jifciple, endeavour to make greater proficiency. 
 While I was fpeaking this, he declared he was defirous af 
 your friendfhip ; but that he found himfelf much in the 
 lame mannci: afFe£led towards it, as he was towards hono- 
 rary crownsgained in gymnaftic games : he wifhed indeed 
 to win them -, but that he dared not d^tend into the area, 
 becaufe he had not fufficient ftrength : that thus he defired 
 to obtain honours from you, but defpaired of deferving 
 them i for, he faid, he feared his own inexperience, and 
 
 your 
 
 ■Vk- 
 
 
 .1 
 
 m^ 
 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 427 
 
 your fplendor : befides, that his perfon was not advantage- 
 ous, but liable to blame, vvrhich, he thought, would prove 
 an impediment to him in bufinefs. He therefore fhall do 
 whatever he judges convenient ; but whether he be with 
 you, or indulging quiet, I would defire you to take care 
 of him in all he needs ; but particularly take care of his and 
 his father's fafety, thinking you have in him, as it were, a 
 trufl of my old age, which juflly merits regard, both from 
 my authority, if I may be judged worthy of any, and alfo 
 from my benevolence to you, which has been perp&tual 
 thro' my life. Nor ought you to wonder if I have written 
 too prolix a letter, and have faid fomething fuperfluous, or 
 like the old man, in it ; for- negleding all other things, I 
 only took care of this, that it might appear I have been fol- 
 licitous for my friends, and thofe who are valued by me. 
 
 EPISTLE V. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 Ifocrates wifhes happinefs to Alexander, 
 
 WHEN I wrote > your father, I thought it would 
 be imprudent, if I did not at the fame time 
 addrefs myfelf to, and falute you, who are in the fame 
 place ; and write fomething of fuch a nature, as may be 
 the caufe that thofe, who do not know me, may not think 
 I am become childifh, or quite foolifh by old age ; but per* 
 ceive, that what of genius remains me, is not unworthy of 
 the faculty I was pofTefled of in my youthful days ; for I 
 hear from all, that you are hun^ane, afFeftioned to the 
 jAthenians, alover of wifdom, and never a6t raflily, but 
 'witKTonrunimate pru(ien^ : arid tHey fay, you approved 
 'not"oTrucIi ordut'citizcns who have negleded themfelves, 
 and defire difhonourable things, but fuch, in whofe con- 
 verfation you felt no tedioufnefs, but, had you taken 
 counfel with them, would have/ufferedno injury or detri* 
 
 ments 
 
/ 
 
 428 The EPISTLES 
 
 mcnt; with whom, and fuch like, it certainly becomes 
 wife men to have familiarity. It is likewife faid, that, 
 amongft the various kinds of philofophy, you do not rejedl 
 that, which is employed in difputations : but iud^e, that it 
 too has ifs ufe in converfation : but that it is not proper for 
 thofe who prcfide over the people, or are monarchs 5 for 
 that it neither is convenient or decent, that thofe who are 
 
 ^ of fublim.er minds than others, fhould cither wrangle with 
 their citizens, or give others the liberty of contradidincr 
 them. They therefore fay, you love not this iludy like 
 
 . that of eloquence, a fcience we put in practice on daily 
 occurrences, and, by its means, deliberate about affairs of 
 ftate ; by which you now feem to lay down juft rules for 
 your fubjeds, and prefcribe what each ought to do ; and 
 to judge wifely of honourable and juft adions, with their 
 contraries ; befides, chaftife and reward both according- to 
 merit. Whereby you give hopes to your father and others, 
 that, if you perfeyere in fuch inftitut^s, you will as far fur- 
 pafs others in wifdom, as your father has furpafTed all. 
 
 EPISTLE VL 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 Ifocrates wifhes happinefs to the fons of Jafon. 
 
 ONE of the embafladors, who were fent to you, told 
 me, that being called afide, he was afked by you, if 
 I might be perfuaded to go abroad, and ftay with you. I 
 fhould indeed, upon account of Jafon and Pelyacus's hofpi- 
 tality, willingly come to you ; for I know fuch a mutual 
 converfation would benefit us all: but many things are 
 impediments to me, efpecially becaufe I cannot travel, nor 
 does it become perfons of my years to go abroad ; and be- 
 fides, becaufe all who heard of my voyage would juftly 
 blame me, if, having chofen to pafs my former life in tran- 
 quillity, I fhould attempt to travel into diftant places ia 
 
 
 '^\ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 4^9 
 
 my old age, when it is becoming for me, tho' I had pafled 
 my days before in /oreign places, now to haften home 
 aaain, when the conclufion of my life is fo near. More- ' 
 over, I am afraid of our city, (for I ought to fpeak the 
 truth) becaufe I fee alliances made with it foon diilblved ; 
 and fhould any thing happen of a like nature betwixt you, 
 how could I avoid accufation and danger (which would be 
 very difficult) and not blufh befides, whether I fhould 
 feem to feme, upon account of our city, to negledl you, 
 or, on your account, to undervalue our city ; for whea 
 your interefts were no longer common, I do not fee how 
 I could pleafe both. Wherefore, there are fo many caufes, 
 you fee, for which I cannot do what you defire. 
 
 Nor do I yet judge,. that while 1 write to you only 
 about my own circumflances, it is becoming me to negledl 
 your interefts but what I would have fpoken prefent, I 
 will endeavour now to explain to you as Vv^ell as I can: yet 
 do not imao;ine this, that I have written to you this letter, 
 not on account of your hofpitality, but becaufe I had a 
 mind to make fliew of my ingenuity \ for I am not arrived 
 at that degree of delirioufnefs, as to be ignorant, that I can 
 never write better than what has been already publifhed by 
 me, when I am now fo remote from the fiower of life ; 
 and that, if I fhould produce what is inferior, I (hall \t^Q,w 
 my own reputation by it. Befides, if I fhewed oftenta- 
 tion, nor adled fincerdy, I would not have chofen out of 
 all, a fubjedt that is eafy to be fpcken on, but would 
 have fouiid out fome other that was more brilliant, and 
 would have furnifhed me with greater variety of difcourfe : 
 but I never even before pleafed myfelf on fuch a fcore, but 
 on quite different motives, which are concealed from mofl; 
 nor do I now write with fuch a view. But feeing you 
 involved in many and great affairs, and having a mind to 
 declare what fentiments I have about them, I thought I had, 
 refpe£tively to them, the faireft opportunity of giving my 
 beft counfel and advice; for experience teaches perfons of 
 my age, and they feem to know what is beil better than 
 
 others. 
 
^ 
 
 430 The EPISTLES 
 
 others.- But to fpeak upon a propofed fubjedt with har- 
 mony, elegance, and accuracy, is no longer to be expected 
 from my years ; and I fhall be contented, if I feem not to 
 fpeak altogether negligently : but do not wonder, if I ap- 
 pear to fay fome of thofe things which you have heard- be- 
 fore ; for I, perhaps, fhall unwillingly fall upon fome of 
 them, and knowingly chufe the others, as judging them 
 moft proper ; for I fhould be ridiculous, if, while I fee 
 others make ufe of what I faid before, I fhould alone ab- 
 ftain from, and avoid my own thou<Thts. 
 
 I HAVE prefaced fo much upon this account, viz. becaufc 
 what I fhall firfl mention is a very trite diredion ; for I am 
 wont to fay to thofe who fludy eloquence, that we ou^^ht 
 particularly to confider what we -are to do throughout the 
 whole oration, and its parts : but, after we have found out 
 this, and accurately difpofed all, that then we are to feek 
 out thofe ideas and figures, w^hereby we may acquire our 
 propofed end. This is the ground-work or rudiment of all 
 other things, and your affairs ; for nothing can be done 
 prudently, unlefs you firfl reafon accurately, and deter- 
 mine how you ought to condu6l yourfelf in time to come, 
 and what fhould be the tenor of your whole life; what glory 
 you ought to have in view, and what honours you ought 
 to love, whether fuch as are conferred upon you by willin<» 
 or unwilling citizens. When you have come to a refolu- 
 tion about this, then thofe fingular adions, which daily 
 occur, are to be confidered, that they may conduce to that 
 plan which was laid down in the beginning. And if vou 
 thus maturely refled and refolve, you will conf^antly aim 
 at utility, as at a mark, and will the footer hit it. But if 
 you propofe no fuch fcope to yourfelves, but endeavour to 
 regulate what cafually happens, there will be a nepeflity of 
 your frequently miflaking, and being difappointed in many 
 things. 
 
 Perhaps fome of thofe, who chufe to lead their lives 
 by chance, will endeavour to invalidate fuch reafonings, 
 and will require, that, after I have clearly defined what I 
 
 mean. 
 
 -r-^ 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S- 431 
 
 mean, I fhould then give my counfel about what bas been 
 faid before. I think, therefore, I fhould not delay to give 
 my fcntiments. A private life feems to me both preferable 
 and fafer than that of monarchs ; and I judge thofe honours 
 fweeter that are given by free and magnanimous perfons? 
 than by fuch as are oppreiVed by flavery. I will endeavour 
 to explain myfelf ; but I am not ignorant that I fhall have 
 many adverfaries, and especially fuch as are converfant 
 with you . _I^knowth^4aQftL^. little e^ to retaiii 
 
 defpotic rower ; for they do not confider the nature of the 
 whole thmg, but deceive themfelves. The;j^..fe.^Q»^5J:? 
 
 rKrl^ Inr pleafufgrai^T^op^'tW^ ^"joy them ; but 
 they dc) not feethofe diiturbances, fears, and calamities, 
 whiS QaifhSTprmce^ a^ are in ; 
 
 tTirfameTondltron oFI^^^ commit the / 
 
 bafefl and mofl atrocious a61:ions ; for they arenot igno-- 
 rant of the deformity of thofe things, but they hope they 1^^-u 
 (hall obtain whatever there is of gain or pleafure in them, f v5 t 
 but fhall fhun their troubles, avbid their evils, and live re- \ 
 mote from danger, while they enjoy all their polTible uti- \ 
 lity. I therefore envy not thofe who are of fuch a mind, j 
 upon account of their floth and indolence. But I fhould ^^ 
 blufh, if, while I give counfel to others, having no regard j 
 for them, I (hould only have in view my own interefl, and ^ 
 fhould not, without refpedt of my own ad\^ntages, and \ 
 all other -things, counfel what was befl. Wherefore, be \ 
 attentive to this letter, as from a perfon entirely of thofe ! 
 fentiments. 
 
 V. 
 
 I'll!?; 
 
 EPISTLE VIL 
 
 The Inscription'. 
 
 Ifocrates wifhes happlnefs to Timothcus. 
 
 I Suppose you heard from many mention made of our 
 mutual friendfhip. . Now I congratulate with you, firft, 
 that you ufe your power more juflly and prudently than 
 
>. 
 
 '4' 
 
 r^' 
 
 ^ 
 
 H- 
 
 \ 
 
 432 The EPISTLES 
 
 your father; and then» that row jl^!e_radi£rjoqb(ai 
 glory, than great rich^. You rive not a fmail fign of v»^- 
 
 ..)?^^fe5.i!l|. vcrjT^ .&:£^S^^? . ^en .you are, of ^his rriir^ : 
 wherefore, if you perfevere in what is faid of yoii, you 
 will not want perfons who will praife both your prudence 
 and philosophy : and I think, that what is faid of your fa- 
 ther, is a fure argument that you are both wife, and excel 
 others ; for men are wont not fo much to praife and honour 
 thofe who were born of praife-worthy parents, as thofe who 
 were born of cruel and barbarous ones, if it is evident that 
 in nothing they refemble them : for in all things, the good 
 which happens beyond exgedation, is more grateful to 
 mankind, than that which happens as it is probable and fit- 
 ting it fhould: which things being well confidcred, you 
 ought to think and feek out> by ufing what means and wh;^t 
 counfellors, you may amend the- calamities 'of the city- 
 may exhort your citizens to beneficence and moderation, 
 and Caiife thepi to live with more pleafure and fecurlty than 
 they did in times paft ; fox this is the duty pf fuch who 
 govern juftly, and with equity and prudence: which fome 
 neglecHng, have nothing cKe in view, but to live theaj- 
 felves in the greateft licentioufnefs, and banifh and plunder 
 the beft of citizens; not reflecting, that it becomes the 
 prudent who are in fupreme powei", not to acquire them- 
 felves pleafures from others calamities, but render their citi- 
 zens, by their own care and follicitude, more happy ; nor 
 be of a harfh and favage difpofition towards them, and nc- 
 gle£l their own fafety, but prefide over others fo mildly and 
 gently, that no one will dare to confpire againfl tliem ; but 
 yet guard their lives with as much care, as If all defigned to 
 afTaffinate them. For thofe who have fuel) conducl", will 
 be themfelves out of danger, and made glorious over all 
 Greece ; a greater gbod than which, it would be a diffi- 
 culty to have an idea of. It came into my mind while I 
 was writing, how happily all events have befallen yoii j 
 for that affluence of riches, which muft neceflarily be got- 
 ten tyrannicalFy, with' a "deal of odium and violence, has 
 
 been 
 
 i J 
 
 "J 
 
 I 
 
 .1 
 
 I 
 
 ■^, 
 
 J 
 
 /*• 
 
 of I S O C R A T E S. 433 
 
 rbcen left you by your father j but to make a good and hu- 
 
 ,niane ufe of them is in your ovvJi power j concferuing 
 
 which you ought to take fingular care and caution. Which 
 
 I think is of this nature J j2IJaie..thiiig.4s.lliMSJ.if you Jove 
 
 ^'^^'^^L^^^ g^^^P^wer^..^nd thofe dangers by which they 
 
 are^uired, you muAjc^l in other counfellors jfeut if you 
 
 ~?^y5 ajrea^ enough of the!?; ' butTailfJ-VTSu^^iff^^^^ 
 
 ^ndtheteveofthe peopTe, then you ought to bFa'ttSitrve 
 
 governed their cit.es v'^:zr^3-m,a^^^^^^,, j hear 
 
 *^S5^> J!jJliiiiii,fe> 4Hrt>. virtuousrand pudent, 
 .??4i?. &Jmiijl5g any to aeatK^or fcantiKi^ them,"' 
 -E2^™nS t*;".Lg??<^«'.,«' "^oing tliem any other prejudice, 
 that he givesgreatfecurlty w his citizens,' reftores thofe 
 who return.tQ their poffeffions, and pajs thofe who had 
 bought them, the full of what they had Bveri foi'^hem'' 
 befides, arms aU the citizens, as if none couiarpofTibly have 
 any bad defigns againft^hlm fK^ Baf^ iran;^ared, jud^-^ 
 ,iTlg7t better fo die, wMe he ftews fuch an example of vir- 
 ^tue to all, than live longer than offier men^by be^^^^^^^ 
 . thof of the greateft calamlti^ tSliiJai^r^"" "^ 
 '"T'fRH APS t Would have dlif^ourfJcI^kh you thus, longer, 
 and more accurately, unlefs I was under a neceflity of 
 finiflilng this letter in a fhort time 5 but I will C^,d you my 
 counfel again, if old age does not pre^-ent me. At pre- 
 fcnty we will difcourfe about private affairs ; for Autocra- 
 for, who brings this, is my friend. I have been conver- 
 fant with him in the fame ftudies, have made ufe of his 
 rules, and have often perfuaded him fo undertake a voynae 
 to you i for all which I defirc you will treat him honou"?- 
 ably, and as is becoming both ; and that it may be dear, 
 I have faithfully difcharged myfelf of a part of what is due 
 to him. Nor wonder that I fo readily write to you 
 and yet never defired any thing of Clearchus; for almoft 
 all they who fail to you fay, that you are like the moft ex- 
 cellent of thofe who have converfed with me : but as for 
 
 ^ ^ Clearchus, 
 
434 The E P I S T Lis S 
 
 Qearchus, all confefs, that, during the time that he wm 
 with us (whoever knew him) he was the moft liberal, niild, 
 and humane of all, who devoted fhemfelves to my difci- 
 pline ; but, as foon as he had fupreme power, that he was 
 Co changed for the worfe, that all wondered, who had^Miy 
 part of his acquaintance. J am therefore become eftra^ 
 .fi-om him on thefe accounts ; but I efteem you, and vehe- 
 mently defire your friendfhip. You will fhortly fliew if 
 you are in the like dlfpofition ; for you will pleafe to take 
 care of Autocrator, and fend me a letter, that you may re- 
 new our ancient friendfhip and hofpitality. Farewcl ; and 
 if you would have any thing clfe done by me, let mc knoW'i 
 
 
 E PI ST L E VIIL 
 
 1» 
 
 ■^'ui 
 
 "*«w^ 
 
 The Inscriptiok. 
 
 ^ Ta the Jivagiftracy of Mityl5n2:., ^ 
 
 THE ft)DS of Apharcus, and my grartdfons, who have 
 been inflruaed in' mufic by Agenor, defircd I 
 would fend a letter, to prevail with you, ^s you have re- 
 eled fcveral exiles, to receive him again, his father, and 
 brothers. But tho' Ifaid I fliould appear abfurd and ridi- 
 culous, if I aiked things of fuch moment from perfons, 
 with whom I never fpoke, nor had any VOTninarity, they, 
 upon hearing my reply, preffed mc the more eagerly V and 
 when they could obtain nothing of what they hoped, they 
 {hewed to us aU that they were grieved, and'bore my de- 
 nial with great uneafmefs. Perceiving they grieved more 
 than was convenient, I at length promif^d-I wouU write a 
 letter, and knd it you : wherefore, that I may not feem 
 impertiocnt and trgublefome, I have this for my apology. 
 . I diink y-: have confulted prudently to return again into 
 ^ln^[[^:p w.inv^r citizens; Vn^-- our to dimini^^the 
 
 --j^ - "*-*% 
 
 oiu: 
 
 jaum'Bfir Vf exilesy^cncreaic^that or citizens, and lin _^^^^_ 
 irylri a*{edit\onrior you fcew'tSereSyt^and make it ma- 
 
 '» 
 
 I >tl 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 ms 
 
 nifeft 
 
 of I S O C R A T E.^S. 435 
 
 aifeft to all, that you decreed their expulfion, not becaufe 
 .you de&ed their goods, but that you were apprehenfive for 
 the city: 5ut tha' you had done nothing of this nature, 
 .not received any of the exiles, 1 judge it would be proper 
 yyou ihould reftore thofe i for it would be (hameful to you> 
 Ltbat all fhould allow your city to excel in the art of mufio 
 -ifaflt thofej who have furpafTed others in it, were born 
 fift that city, and that yet he, who excels all artifts of this 
 » Jdnd at prefent, fhould be banifhed fuch a city j when 
 othe; Grecians make thofe who are eminent in any reputa- 
 i> Ue ftudies, tho' they be no-ways related to them, citizens, 
 while you fuffer thofe to be fojourners amongft foreigners, 
 who are moft famous amongft you, and of the fame blood. 
 And I wonder that many cities more reward fuch who ex- 
 cel in gymnaftic games, than thofe who, by genius and 
 induftry, find out what is conducive to real happinefs ; nor 
 confider, that the qualities of ftrength and fwiftnefs are of 
 fuch a nature, that they perifii with the body; but that fci- 
 cnces continue, and are in all times a benefit to thofe who 
 ftudy them ; which being fo, it becomes thofe who are en- 
 4ued with reafon, to efteem thofe moft, whaprefide with 
 juftice and virtue in their city, and then thofe wJio can 
 procure it glory and fame by their knowledge -, for all men 
 confidering fuch as fpecimens, judge the reft of their fellow- 
 citizens rcfemiblc them. 
 
 But, perhaps, fome will fay, that it becomes thofe 
 who would obtain any thing, not only to praife its but 
 fhew, that it is but juft they fliould acquire it. The cafe 
 is this: I ir^deed have abftained from public o^^ 
 rangues/'BecauYe it neither ha^^ 1>old- 
 
 "nefs5 butyej twas^n^qui^eu^^^^ ^"^ {)^ 
 
 "Ifvirili be ev wTnt ,t£at I was a counfellor and abetter to all V^ 
 thofe who woul^d'fpeak wdlof^^ and the oth^ aBia.,;^and _^ 
 that I have compoft^^more ora^ for the'lfterty and 
 n^at& of the Greeks7than afl' who have afcendeJand'Mm^^ 
 worn opt thj^ipllS^- for which you ought t:o be in the 
 iigheft de^ee grateful to me. You defire particularly fuch 
 
 F f t a 
 
436 Thf EPISTLES 
 
 a ftate of all Greece ; for I judge, that if Timotheus an4t 
 Conon were now alive, and Diophantes returned froin'^ 
 Afia, they would defire I ihould be fuccefsfui in my 
 intentions. But it is not neceffary I fliouki (^y more on 
 thi/topic ; for there is no one amongft you fo young, or ' 
 forgetful, but he knows you have received the greateft fa- 
 vours from them : wherefore it (terns to me you will con-*^^ 
 full mod prudently about this affair, if you confider who 
 he is that entreats you, and for what pcrfons 5 for you will 
 find me to have been the moft intimate friend to thofe who 
 were authors of the greateft good to you and others ; and 
 that thofe, for whom I do entreat you, are neither ofFen- 
 five to their elders or magiftrates, and teach an ufefal and 
 pleafant fcience to youth, and thofe who are of a proper 
 age for it. Do not wonder if I am fo eafily perfuaded to 
 write a recommendatory letter both for others, and my 
 own particular friends ; for I would both gratify my grand- ' 
 children, and make it manifefl to all, that tho' they never 
 meddle with the government, but only imitate my infti- 
 tutes, that they will not be worthlefs citizens. One thing 
 remains ; I further defire, that if you judge proper to do 
 any thing in this kind, you will fignify to i^lgenor, and his 
 brothers, that they obtain, partly by me, what they fo ve- 
 hemently wifh for. 
 
 i'"» 
 
 V 
 
 > 
 
 of I S O C R AT E fc 4^7 
 
 mretch ! you arc replete with phrenzy, and arc deprived oF 
 the knowledge of your own nature. What ! have the fa- 
 vours of fortune made you fo far defert philofophic contem- 
 plations, as to caufc you to abandon that facred enthufiaOn? 
 Your condition was formerly illuftrious ; but now it is ab- 
 jed and groveling. The mountain of fortune is high and 
 precipitous ; wherefore fly from falfe happinefs, and fhun 
 fugitive fortune : for thus you will prevent her ingratitude, 
 and not impatiently bear a change* 
 
 ^r:«u 
 
 to •)!£ 
 
 THE END. 
 
 EPISTLE IX. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 Ifocrates to Dionyfius. 
 
 T70RERUNNERS, arm-bearers, heralds, and pompous 
 * thrones, are the eclipfe of true philofophy, and the 
 tvideft feparation from virtue. You have not chano-ed with 
 fortune your nature : you have flill a fkin-cloathing; for 
 you was made a mortal in the beginning. Why therefore 
 ihould a vain-glory fo far pufF up a frail bladder ? Unhappy 
 
 wretch ! 
 
 "9^ 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 7 
 
 
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PfSJJAW „T i'^ V 
 
 
 ■Jt^' 
 
 '"'«©»?♦''' 
 
 
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 ^<' 
 
 to 3-. 
 
 "^n^tn-i 
 
 s nl 
 
 r T 
 
 i V^^ 
 
 ^. < J^ i.i- 
 
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 BOOKS htely puMiJhed by T. Waller; 
 
 in Fleet-ftreet. 
 
 THE Orations of Cicero, tmnflatea 
 mto Englijh, with Notes Hiftorical and 
 Critical, and Arguments to eacht 
 
 By William Guthrie, Efq> 
 
 And by the fame Hand^. 
 DeOratore: Or, his Three Dialogues 
 upon the Charafter and Qualifications of an 
 Orator. 
 
 Cicero's Morals, containing his De Fint^ 
 bus, or, concerning the Ends of Things, Good 
 and Evil. In which all the Principles of the 
 Epicureans, Stoics, and Academics, Concerning 
 the ultimate Point of Happinefs and Mifery, 
 are folly difcuffed. His Academics, or Con- 
 ferences concerning the Criterion of Truth, 
 and the Fallibility of Human Judgment. ^ 
 
 Cicero's Epistles to Atticus. In 2 Vol. 
 
 N. B. All the remaining Parts of C i c e RO 
 mil be tranjlated by the fame Gentleman^ 
 and publifiedfeparatelyy as they arejinijhed. 
 
 As alfo by the fame Author^ 
 
 A New History of England. In 3 Vols. 
 
 F6lio; 
 
 An E% upon Englijh Tragedy. A Pamphlet. 
 
 Lives 
 
 1 ; 
 
!'-■ Books puhUlhed h T . VmXtx: 
 
 Lives of the Admirals, and other Emi- 
 nent Britijh Seamen. Containing their perfo- 
 nal Hiftories, and a Detail of all their public 
 Services. Including a new and accurate Naval 
 His roRv from the earlieft Account of Time 
 
 to the Prefent. The Second Edition. In 4 Vols 
 ovo. ^ 
 
 By John Campbell, Efqj 
 
 The History and Debates of the House 
 OF Lords and Commons. 2 1 Vols. 8vo. 
 
 .The Female Foundling: Or, Virtue 
 ■Truth, and Spirit, oppofing every Difficulty! 
 Shewing the happy Succefs of Conftant Love. 
 In 2 vols, i2mo. 
 
 ,J^ I^EviL, torn'd Hermit: Or, the 
 Adventures of Aftaroth banifhed from Hell. 
 A bauncal Romance. In 2 Vols. i2mo. 
 
 
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