Book 3
47.4
Why, even if they were guilty, you should pretend not to know it, to the end that the only class that is still friendly to us may not become hostile.
47.5
And it is, I think, far more conducive to the maintenance of our dominion, that we should willingly submit to be wronged, than that we should destroy, however justly, those whom we ought not to destroy. And whereas Cleon claimscf. 3.40.4. that this punishment combines justice and expediency, it appears that in such a policy the two cannot be combined.
48.1
“Do you, then, recognize that mine is the better course, and without being unduly swayed by either pity or clemency—for neither would I have you influenced by such motives—but simply weighing the considerations I have urged, accede to my proposal: pass sentence at your leisure upon the Mytilenaeans whom Paches sent here as guilty,cf. 3.35.1. but let the rest dwell in peace.
48.2
Such a course will be best for the future, and will cause alarm among our enemies at once; for he who is wise in counsel is stronger against the foe than he who recklessly rushes on with brute force.”
49.1
Such was the speech of Diodotus. And after these opinions had been maintained with nearly equal force, the one against the other, the Athenians, in spite of the reaction, experienced such a conflict of opinion that in the show of hands they were about equally divided; but the view of Diodotus prevailed.
49.2
They then immediately despatched a second trireme with all haste, hoping that the first trireme, which had the start by about a day and a night, might not arrive first and the city be found destroyed.
49.3
The Mytilenaean envoys provided wine and barley for the crew and promised a large reward if they should arrive in time; and such was their haste on the voyage that they kept on rowing as they ate their barley-cakes, kneaded with wine and oil,Usually the barley-meal was mixed with water and oil. and took turns at sleeping and rowing.A crew ordinary stopped for meal and rested at anchor at night.
