if Diopeithes is acting outrageously and is driving the vessels to shore,
then, gentlemen, one little wax-tablet[n] is enough to put an end to it
all: and what the laws command is that for these offences we should
impeach the wrong-doers--not that we should keep a watch upon our own
forces at such expense and with so many ships.[n] {29} Such insanity
really passes all bounds. No! Against the enemy whom we cannot arrest and
render amenable to the laws, it is both right and necessary to maintain a
force, to send war-ships, and to contribute war-funds: but against one of
ourselves, a decree, an impeachment, a dispatch-boat[n] will answer our
purpose. These are the means which sensible men would use: the policy of
the other side is the policy of men whose spitefulness[n] is ruining your
fortunes. {30} And that there should be some such men, bad though it is,
is not the worst. No! for you who sit there are already in such a frame of
mind, that if any one comes forward and says that Diopeithes is the cause
of all the mischief, or Chares,[n] or Aristophon,[n] or any Athenian
citizen that he happens to name, you at once agree, and clamorously
declare that he is right; {31} but if any one comes forward and tells you
the truth, and says, 'Men of Athens, this is nonsense. It is Philip that
is the cause of all this mischief and trouble; for if he were quiet, the
city would have nothing to disturb her,' you cannot, indeed, deny the
truth of his words, but you seem, I think, to be annoyed, as though you
were losing something.[n] {32} And the cause of these things is this--and
I beseech you, in Heaven's name, to let me speak unreservedly, when I am
speaking for your true good--that some of your politicians have contrived
that you should be terrifying and severe in your assemblies, but easy-
going and contemptible in your preparations for war. And accordingly, if
any one names as the culprit some one whom you know you can arrest in your
own midst, you agree and you wish to act; but if one is named whom you
must first master by force of arms, if you are to punish him at all, you
are at a loss, I fancy, what to do, and you are vexed when this is brought