42
Neither will you ever show that I received money from Harpalus, for neither was I tried and proved guilty nor did I take money, and if you are looking for excuse to the notorious decision of the Council or to the Areopagus,According to Plut. Dem. 26, the orator himself moved that the charges should be referred to the Areopagus, which promptly condemned him. recall to mind the trial of AristogeitonAristogeiton was acquitted, according to Demosthenes, upon the same evidence. See Dem. L. 3.37. and hide your heads in shameEight references to this passage may be found in Walz’s Rhetores Graeci, which has an index.; because I have no milder injunction for those who have committed this offence against me.
43
For surely you will not claim it was just, after information was laid in the very same words by the same Council, for that man to be exonerated and me to be ruined; you are not so void of reason. For I do not deserve it; I am not that kind of a person nor worse than he, though I am unfortunate, thanks to you, I admit, for why not unfortunate when on top of my other calamities I must compare myself with Aristogeiton, and to make matters worse, a ruined man with one who has secured acquittal?
44
And do not assume from these words that it is anger that moves me, because I could not feel that way toward you. To those who are wronged, however, it brings a certain relief to tell their sorrows, just as it relieves those in pain to moan, because toward you I feel as much goodwill as I would pray you might have toward me. I have made this plain in everything and shall continue to do so,
