clause of the decree which states that I do and say what is best, and by
indicting it as false, has rendered the discussion of my whole political
career essentially germane to the indictment; and further, out of the many
careers which public life offers, it was the department of international
affairs that I chose; so that I have a right to derive my proofs also from
that department.

{60} I will pass over all that Philip snatched from us and secured, in the
days before I took part in public life as an orator. None of these losses,
I imagine, has anything to do with me. But I will recall to you, and will
render you an account of all that, from the day when I entered upon this
career, he was _prevented_ from taking, when I have made one remark. {61}
Philip, men of Athens, had a great advantage in his favour. For in the
midst of the Hellenic peoples--and not of some only, but of all alike--
there had sprung up a crop of traitors--corrupt, god-forsaken men--more
numerous than they have ever been within the memory of man. These he took
to help and co-operate with him; and great as the mutual ill-will and
dissensions of the Hellenes already were, he rendered them even worse, by
deceiving some, making presents to others, and corrupting others in every
way; and at a time when all had in reality but one interest--to prevent
his becoming powerful--he divided them into a number of factions. {62} All
the Hellenes then being in this condition, still ignorant of the growing
and accumulating evil, you have to ask yourselves, men of Athens, what
policy and action it was fitting for the city to choose, and to hold me
responsible for this; for the person who assumed that responsibility in
the State was myself. {63} Should she, Aeschines, have sacrificed her
pride and her own dignity? Should she have joined the ranks of the
Thessalians and Dolopes,[n] and helped Philip to acquire the empire of
Hellas, cancelling thereby the noble and righteous deeds of our
forefathers? Or, if she should not have done this (for it would have been