73
and him most of all, even among them, who is able to point out most vividly the evils of your practices and the disasters which result from them. For such a man can soonest bring you to abhor what you should abhor and to set your hearts on better things. These, then, are the things which I have to say in defense of my harshness both in the words which I have spoken and those which I am about to speak. I will now resume at the place where I left off.
74
For I was on the point of saying that you could best learn that it is not to your advantage to obtain the empire of the sea if you should consider what was the condition of Athens before she acquired this power and what after she obtained it. For if you will examine one condition in contrast with the other you will see how many evils this power has brought upon the city.
75
Now the polity as it was in the earlier time was as much better and stronger than that which obtained later as Aristides and Themistocles and MiltiadesDemosthenes (Dem. 3.21 ff.) compares Aristides and Pericles with the present-day orators who say to the people:“What are your desires; what shall I propose; how can I please you?” were better men than HyperbolusHyperbolus, successor to Cleon, the tanner. Aristophanes calls him πονηρός (Aristoph. Peace 684); Thucydides, μοχθηρός (Thuc. 8.73). and CleophonFor Cleophon see Isoc. 8.13, note. and those who today harangue the people.Aristophon and Eubulus. And you will find that the people who then governed the state were not given over to slackness and poverty and empty hopes,Cf.“hopes from the platform,” Dem. 4.45.
76
but were able to conquer in battle all who invaded their territory;See Isoc. 4.86. that they were awarded the meed of valorSee Isoc. 4.99. in the wars which they fought for the sake of Hellas; and that they were so trusted that most of the states of their own free will placed themselves under their leadership.See Isoc. 4.72.
