it is fitting for you to see to it that the prosecutors make their charge
on this ground, proving what advantage (the accused have) in doing this
wrong. 14. (Nicomachus) cannot show that I did it on account of my
poverty, nor that the value of the place was lessened for me by the olive
being there, nor that it interfered with the vines, or was near the
house, nor that I was ignorant of the danger I was in before you for
doing it. But I can show you that a tremendous penalty would have been
the result, had I cut it down. 15. For I was cutting the olive in broad
daylight, as though, so far from keeping it a secret from all, it was
necessary for every Athenian to know it. If the deed had been merely a
disgrace, perhaps a chance passer-by would not have troubled himself
about it. I was risking not disgrace, but great punishment. 16. Should I
not be the most wretched of all men if my slaves, being acquainted with
my crime, became no longer my slaves, but my masters for the rest of my
life? For I could not punish them for the greatest offense they might
choose to give. For they would know well that it was in their power, by
turning informers, to be revenged on me and get their own freedom. 17.
Supposing it had entered my head to disregard my slaves, how should I
have dared, when so many persons had rented the place, and every one of
them would have known it, to cut down the olive merely for gain?
Especially since, as there is no limit to the liability of those who
farmed the place, it equally concerned them all that the stump should
remain intact, so that if any one charged them they could transfer the
charge to their successor. They have evidently cleared me, and if they
have lied have become participants in the crime.

18. Again, supposing I had squared matters with them, how could I have
bribed all who are present or the neighbors, who not only know about each
other's public affairs, but also about those we try to keep a secret from
all. Some of these are my friends, but others are not on good terms with