in the event of unjust attacks upon our city on the part of any, we
are still resolutely to observe peace towards that offender?" I answer
distinctly, No! But, on the contrary, I maintain that we shall all the
more promptly retaliate on such aggression in proportion as we have
done no wrong to any one ourselves. Since that will be to rob the
aggressor of his allies.[21]

[21] Reading, after Cobet, {ei medena uparkhoimen adikountes}. Or, if
the vulgate {ei medena parakhoimen adikounta}, transl. "if we can
show complete innocence on our own side."



VI

But now, if none of these proposals be impracticable or even difficult
of execution; if rather by giving them effect we may conciliate
further the friendship of Hellas, whilst we strengthen our own
administration and increase our fame; if by the same means the people
shall be provided with the necessaries of life, and our rich men be
relieved of expenditure on war; if with the large surplus to be
counted on, we are in a position to conduct our festivals on an even
grander scale than heretofore, to restore our temples, to rebuild our
forts and docks, and to reinstate in their ancient privileges our
priests, our senators, our magistrates, and our knights--surely it
were but reasonable to enter upon this project speedily, so that we
too, even in our own day, may witness the unclouded dawn of prosperity
in store for our city.

But if you are agreed to carry out this plan, there is one further