26
That is what I said to them, and they shouted their approval; and they heard many other speeches from the envoys, both in my presence and again later, as it seems; but they are none the more likely to do without Philip’s friendship and Philip’s promises.
27
And, indeed, it is not strange that Messenians and other Peloponnesians should sometimes act against their better judgement; but you, who know, both from your own intelligence and from our speeches, how you are compassed about with plots and snares, you will, as it seems to me, find to your surprise that through having done nothing in time, you have submitted to everything. So much does the pleasure and ease of the moment prevail over that which at some future time is likely to be advantageous.
28
On your practical measures you will, if you are wise, deliberate hereafter by yourselvesi.e. when the foreign envoys have withdrawn. At this point, if not at the end of the speech, the proposed answer was read. This is not indicated in the MSS.; at present I will suggest the immediate answer which it would be proper for you to adopt.Answer
28
It would indeed have been fair, men of Athens, to call upon those who conveyed to you Philip’s promises,The audience might fairly call upon men like Aristodemus, Ctesiphon, and Neoptolemus (Dem. 19.13, Dem. 19.315) to explain how they came to make themselves responsible for these promises, to which Philip had not actually committed himself. on the strength of which you were induced to conclude the Peace.
