38.
'I myself think as I did before, and I wonder at those who have brought forward the
case of1 the Mytilenaeans again, thus interposing a delay which is in the interest of the
evil-doer.
For after a time the anger of the sufferer waxes dull, and he pursues the offender with
less keenness; but the vengeance which follows closest upon the wrong is most adequate
to it and exacts the fullest retribution.
And again I wonder who will answer me, and whether he will attempt to show that the
crimes of the Mytilenaeans are a benefit to us, or that when we suffer, our allies
suffer with us.
[2]
Clearly he must be some one who has such confidence in his powers of speech as to
contend2 that you never adopted what was most certainly your resolution3; or else he must be some one who, under the inspiration of a bribe,
elaborates a sophistical speech in the hope of diverting you from the point.
[3]
In such rhetorical contests the city gives away the prizes to others, while she takes
the risk upon herself.
[4]
And you are to blame, for you order these contests amiss.
When speeches are to be heard, you are too fond of using your eyes, but, where actions
are concerned, you trust your ears; you estimate the possibility of future
enterprises from the eloquence of an orator, but as to accomplished facts, instead of
accepting ocular demonstration, you believe only what ingenious critics tell you4.
[5]
No men are better dupes, sooner deceived by novel notions, or slower to follow approved
advice.
You despise what is familiar, while you are worshippers of every new extravagance.
Not a man of you but would be an orator if he could;
[6]
when he cannot, he will not yield the palm to a more successful rival: he would fain
show that he does not let his wits come limping after, but that he can praise a sharp
remark before it is well out of another's mouth; he would like to be as quick in
anticipating what is said, as he is slow in foreseeing its consequences.
[7]
You are always hankering after an ideal state, but you do not give your minds even to
what is straight before you.
In a word, you are at the mercy of your own ears, and sit like spectators attending a
performance of sophists, but very unlike counsellors of a state.
1 Why is their punishment delayed? Will any one pretend that their crimes do us good? or would any one speak on their behalf he was not well paid, and you were not blind to facts and at the mercy of and very cleat talker?
2 Or, 'that what all men believe to be true is absolutely false.'
3 Or, 'that what all men believe to be true is absolutely false.'
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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