Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
Benjamin Jowett, Ed.

105. Ath. 'As for the Gods, we expect to have quite as much of their favour as you: for we¹ are not doing or claiming anything which goes beyond common opinion about divine or men's desires about human things. [2] For of the Gods we believe, and of men we know, that by a law of their nature wherever they can rule they will. This law was not made by us, and we are not the first who have acted upon it; we did but inherit it, and shall bequeath it to all time, and we know that you and all mankind, if you were as strong as we are, would do as we do. So much for the Gods; [3] we have told you why we expect to stand as high in their good opinion as you. And then as to the Lacedaemonians—when you imagine that out of very shame they will assist you, we admire the innocence of your idea, but we do not envy you the folly of it. [4] The Lacedaemonians are exceedingly virtuous among themselves, and according to their national standard of morality². But, in respect of their dealings with others, although many things might be said, they can be described in few words—of all men whom we know they are the most notorious for identifying what is pleasant with what is honourable, and what is expedient with what is just. But how inconsistent is such a character with your present blind hope of deliverance!'