19
Furthermore, the former are dilatory in action,See Demosthenes’ contrast between the checks and delays which were put upon him as leader of the Athenians and Phillip’s freedom to act and strike quickly, Dem. 18.294. Cf. Dem. 4.40-46. for they spend most of their time over their private concerns; and when they do assemble in council, you will find them more often quarrellingFor the selfish bickerings of the platform orators see Isoc. 12.12 with each other than deliberating together; while the latter, for whom no councils or times of meeting are prescribed, but who apply themselves to the state’s business both day and night, do not let opportunities pass them by, but act in each case at the right moment.
20
Again, the former are ill-disposed toward each other and would rather have their predecessors and their successors in office administer the state as badly as possible, in order that they may win for themselves as much credit as possible; while the latter, because they are in control of affairs throughout their lives, are at all times actuated by feelings of good will.
21
But the greatest difference is this: men under other governments give attention to the affairs of state as if they were the concern of others; monarchs, as if they were their own concern;But it was, he says elsewhere, the virtue of the old democracy that they did not slight the commonwealth, but cared for it as their personal concern, Isoc. 4.76; Isoc. 7.24-25. and the former employ as their advisers on state affairs the most self-assertive of their citizens, while the latter single out and employ the most sagacious; and the former honor those who are skilful in haranguing the crowd, while the latter honor those who understand how to deal with affairs.
