Hellenic world, it was against Philip that all his efforts were directed; and
although in 346 he is practically at one with the party of Eubulus in his
recognition of the necessity of peace, he is eager, when the opportunity seems
once more to offer itself, to resume the conflict, and, when it is resumed, to
carry it through to the end.

We have then before us the sharp antagonism of two types of statesmanship. The
strength of the one lies in the recognition of actual facts, and the avoidance
of all projects which seem likely, under existing circumstances, to fail. The
other is of a more sanguine type, and believes in the power of enthusiasm and
self-sacrifice to transform the existing facts into something better, and to win
success against all odds. Statesmen of the former type are always attacked as
unpatriotic and mean-spirited; those of the latter, as unpractical and reckless.
There is truth and falsehood in both accusations: but since no statesman has
ever combined all the elements of statesmanship in a perfect and just
proportion, and since neither prudence and clear-sightedness, nor enthusiastic
and generous sentiment, can ever be dispensed with in the conduct of affairs
without loss, a larger view will attach little discredit to either type. While,
therefore, we may view with regret some of the methods which both Demosthenes
and Aeschines at times condescended to use in their conflicts with one another,
and with no less regret the disastrous result of the policy which ultimately
carried the day, we need not hesitate to give their due to both of the
contending parties: nor, while we recognize that Eubulus and Phocion (his
sturdiest supporter in the field and in counsel) took the truer view of the
situation, and of the character of the Athenians as they were, need we (as it is
now fashionable to do) denounce the orator who strove with unstinting personal
effort and self-sacrifice to rouse the Athenians into a mood in which they could
and would realize the ideal to which they, no less than he, professed their
devotion.