38.
'But such they have not shown themselves either towards us or towards others.
Although1 they are our colony they have always stood aloof from us, and now they are
fighting against us on the plea that they were not sent out to be ill used.
[2]
To which we rejoin that we did not send them out to be insulted by them, but that
we might be recognized as their leaders and receive proper respect.
[3]
Our other colonies at any rate honour us;
no city is more beloved by her colonies than Corinth.
[4]
That we are popular with the majority proves that the Corcyraeans have no reason to
dislike us;2 and, if it
seems extraordinary that we should go to war with them, our defence is that the
injury which they are doing us is unexampled3.
[5]
Even if we had been misled by passion, it would have been honourable in them to
make allowance for us, and dishonourable in us to use violence when they showed
moderation.
But they have wronged us over and over again in their insolence and pride of
wealth; and now there is our colony of Epidamnus which they would not acknowledge in
her distress, but, when we came to her rescue, they seized and are now holding by
force.
1 We go to war with them because they have wronged and insulted us.
2 Or, 'and there is nothing extraordinary in our going to war with them, for they are doing us an unexampled injury.'
3 Or, 'and there is nothing extraordinary in our going to war with them, for they are doing us an unexampled injury.'
Thucydides translated into English; with introduction, marginal analysis, notes, and indices. Volume 1. Thucydides. Benjamin Jowett. translator. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1881.
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