6
Further, a man of state has not less but greater liberty to speak any thing of himself when his merits are rewarded with injurious and unkind returns. Achilles usually gave the Gods their glory, and spoke modestly in this manner: Whene’er, by Jove’s decree, our conquering powers Shall humble to the dust Troy’s lofty towers. But when he was unhandsomely reproached and aspersed with contumelies, he added swelling words to his anger, and these in his own applause: I sacked twelve ample cities on the main; and also these: It was not thus, when, at my sight amazed, Troy saw and trembled, as this helmet blazed.II. I. 128; IX. 328; XVI. 70. For apologies claim a great liberty of speech and boasting, as considerable parts of their defence.
6
Themistocles also, having been guilty of nothing distasteful either in his words or actions, yet perceiving the Athenians glutted with him and beginning to neglect him, forbore not to say: Why, O ye happy people, do ye weary out yourselves by still receiving benefits from the same hands? Upon every storm you fly to the same tree for shelter; yet, when it is fair again, you despoil it of its leaves as you go away.
7
They therefore who are injured usually recount their good actions to the ingrate. And, if they also praise those excellences which others are pleased to condemn, they are not only pardonable but altogether without blame. For it is evident they do not reproach others, but apologize for themselves.
7
This gave Demosthenes a glorious freedom, yet allayed the offensive brightness of his own praises, which almost everywhere shine through his whole Oration on the Crown, in which he extols those embassies and decrees which were so much objected against him.
